Employees' Entrance (1933) Movie Script
I've dealt with this store for years,
And you were a bunch of gentlemen
till you got that maniac Anderson.
He wants me to stand the loss.
Anderson, Anderson.
Who is this guy Anderson, anyway?
I thought you were the
owner of this store.
But I've worked for you
for 12 years, Mr. Monroe.
I don't deserve to be thrown
out for one little mistake.
Mr. Anderson has charge of that.
I helped your father build this business
Through the advertising
columns in my newspaper.
I was his friend, I've been your friend,
And now you suddenly decide to withdraw
Your advertising from
my pages. Why? Why?
I know, I know. I'm terribly sorry,
But Mr. Anderson thinks...
hello?
Send Mr. Anderson in, please.
Yes, sir.
I... I hope I get away
pretty soon, gentlemen.
The transatlantic flyers are arriving.
I've got to get down
the bay to meet the ship.
The, uh, mayor is depending on me.
Oh. Gentlemen, this is Mr.
Anderson, our general manager.
How do you do? Good morning.
You will find a chair there, Anderson.
Thanks.
Mr. Anderson, we've
been talking about you.
Business has run along very nicely,
And we would like to give you
the privilege to continue with us,
But it has been mentioned, however,
That your methods have
been a little, uh...
well, shall we say,
overzealous at times?
Uh, it might be well
For Mr. Ross to
supervise your decisions.
An excellent suggestion.
Otherwise, I congratulate you
On having made good with us,
And I invite you to continue
in your present position.
Thank you, gentlemen.
I'm glad you're satisfied with
the business we're doing here.
All we need are bigger and better
Welcoming parties on board that yacht,
And business will go
right through the roof!
The day that Lindbergh arrived,
there weren't 20 people in the store,
And when the prince of Wales
And the king of Siam and
the president of Cuba came,
Gentlemen, we simply touched bottom.
There's only one answer to it...
either move this store out
Onto that yacht or move
the yacht into the store.
What are you talking about?
I'm talking about the
business of this store, Ross,
In case you don't get me.
When I first went to work here,
I was a kid, 20 years old,
In the shipping department,
one of a thousand.
I've been through many
departments since then.
I've seen thousands of
employees come and go,
And I've come to one conclusion-
There's no room for
sympathy or softness.
My code is smash or be smashed.
I took this store
When it was a pile of
junk without leadership.
I converted it into assets,
Assets for you gentlemen to pat
one another on the back about.
Do you think you did
it? Ha ha! No! I did it!
I don't own any yachts.
I'm not on the mayor's
welcoming committee.
I did it because I know how!
This store has got to go on climbing,
And I'm here to see that it does.
As for commodore Monroe,
You're the greatest welcomer
this city has ever had
And the worst department
store executive!
Anderson! How dare you?
There's only one man
That can keep this store at top speed
- Me!
You know it.
You want me to keep it going, don't you?
You invite me to continue, don't you?
You bet your necks
I'm going to continue,
But I'm going to be in supreme command
and be responsible for what I do.
I'll take a new contract
at double my present salary
And supervision from nobody!
Oh, preposterous!
I'll give you that one
chance to keep me here,
Or I sign a contract with Gormley's-
Your biggest competitor
- Tomorrow morning.
The insolent upstart!
He's only an employee. How dare he!
I warned you. He is a
menace to this store.
The sooner you let him go, the better.
Dismiss him, Ross. Dismiss him at once.
Hold on a minute. I've got
something to say about this!
I've got plenty to say if I
can make you gentlemen listen.
Are you going to defend him?
- Yes!
I own this store, and if I see fit
To discharge an employee,
that's my business.
Yeah, but we have millions
involved in this store.
Exactly. We can't afford
to let Anderson go.
This is an outrage!
But it's business sense, Monroe.
- Ohh!
Now, look here, no offense, commodore.
As outside contact man, you
are serving us magnificently.
Your social prestige is
worth millions in sales.
We've got to have you
On the mayor's welcoming committee.
Why, it's a big job.
I'm glad you realize it.
But at the same time,
We've got to have somebody
that can run this store.
You can't lose by it, commodore.
The more money he makes for this store,
The more your common stock
is going to be worth to you.
Why, certainly.
Good heavens, gentlemen!
My escort. I've got to go.
Yes. Of course you must.
But, commodore, you can't go now.
We're going to bring
this matter to a vote!
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
The transatlantic flyers!
They're waiting for me.
Most important. Yes. Success. Success.
Thank you.
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
I propose that we retain Mr.
Anderson on his own terms.
All those in favor,
Signify with the usual sign.
Aye! Aye! Aye!
No.
The ayes have it.
Who's this man?
I'm Mr. Garfinkle.
He's a manufacturer.
We gave him an order for swagger coats.
Well?
I'll be just 3 days
late with that order.
I've had labor trouble.
You know how it is when
you've got labor trouble.
These were for a 3-Day
special beginning tomorrow.
The advertising is in the papers today.
I can give you some coats for tomorrow.
That'll be all right.
That'll cover us, and then
we can say we've sold out.
All right. Take what
he can give you tomorrow
And cancel the rest of the order.
Cancel? Why
- Why, you can't do that.
Why, all my capital, everything
is tied up in that order.
5,000 coats.
I've got $30,000 invested.
That's all the money
I've got in the world.
Cancel the order, and we'll sue him
For the cost of the advertising
And for the estimated loss on the sale.
All right, Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson, I
- I'm telling you,
I'm a ruined man if you do this.
I shouldn't have undertaken this order,
But I did it for you...
for the big Monroe department store
At a price where I made no profit.
I did it because I thought,
if I get your order once,
Big things might come from it.
Now if you cancel the order,
Even if you don't sue me, I'm ruined.
It's like if you were
threatening to kill me.
Here. Send these back. What's the
report on the men's underwear sale?
618 sales at 1:00.
Keep me posted.
Don't you hear me, mister? It's my life!
Yes, I hear you. Merchandise
is the life of this store.
When you promise to deliver
On a certain day and don't
do it, you threaten our life.
But it only happened once.
It can't happen again.
It can't happen once!
Now, get out of here.
Yes?
The men's lavatory on the fourth
floor is out of order again.
Take a note to the head
of the repair department.
Fix men's lavatory on the
fourth floor or be fired.
I won't need my car till 7:30
or so. Tell my chauffeur to wait.
Where can I find you, please?
I'm going to inspect the
fifth and sixth floors.
Well, who are you?
Don't you know better
Than to break into a lady's
house without knocking?
Oh, you're the lady
of the house, are you?
Mm-Hmm. Besides, how did you know?
I might have been taking
a bath or something.
Who are you?
Oh, I'm only the landlord.
You haven't paid your
rent this month, lady.
I know I haven't, but
you wouldn't throw me out
On a stormy night like this,
Would you, mister?
Aw, come on. I was just
going to have a bite to eat.
Would you like to join me? Come on.
Oh, just look at that. A
lovely papier-mch chicken.
Mmm. I'll bet that's good.
How would you like a wax banana?
I'd love it.
Or perhaps I could make
you a sandwich. Mmm.
Oh, fresh, too.
And look. There's some nice
fake milk. Just what we need.
I'm sorry I can't offer
you anything better, mister.
You work here, don't you?
Yes, I work here.
You're lucky. I've been trying
to get a job here myself.
Tell me, is it a tough place to work in?
Oh, not so bad.
By the way, what are you doing here?
Don't you know it's after closing time?
Be a sport, will you, and let me stay?
I'll turn out all the
lights and be very quiet.
I'll sleep in there on that couch,
And no one will ever
know the difference.
Haven't you got any
other place to sleep?
No. Well, that is, not as nice as this.
And besides, I want to be
The first one to the employment
office in the morning.
Broke?
Very.
With your looks, you shouldn't
have any trouble getting a job.
Thank you, but I'd rather
be employed for my brains.
What's going on in here?
Oh, it's you, Mr. Anderson.
Beg pardon, sir.
I seen a light in here, and I thought-
It's all right, Joe.
A
- Anderson? You mean, you're Kurt Anderson?
Mm-Hmm. What of it?
Oh. Well, I've been trying to get in
To see you all day for a job.
I've got all night to listen.
How about a little dinner first?
What'll we do with all this
food? It's too bad to waste it.
It'll keep.
Come along, miss Whosis.
Madeline Whosis, if you please.
Good night, Ross.
It's getting pretty late,
And I guess I'd better go.
All I can say is, thanks
so much, Mr. Anderson,
For everything and for
being so nice to me.
I suppose I ate like a little pig,
But, gee, you don't
know how hungry I was.
Oh, yes, I was, really.
I think I'm going to
like working for you,
And I'll pay you back that $10
out of my first week's paycheck.
Ha ha ha! Oh, yes, I will, really.
I wish I could really thank you,
But I can't ask you to dinner,
and I can't give you a job.
So good night, Mr. Anderson,
and, well, thanks again.
Now, wait a minute.
You don't have to go, you know.
Oh, yes, I do.
No, you don't.
Second floor-Lingerie,
pajamas, millinery,
Women and children's shoes, corsets,
Brassieres, girdles, abdominal bands,
Air mattresses, bicycle
tires, army cots, canoe paint,
Shoe stretchers, and boy scout outfits.
Your name?
Walters. Madeline Walters.
Address?
Eddington apartments, 34,
West 55th street.
Have you had any experience modeling?
No.
Then I expect I better put you
with someone for a little while.
Will you come this way?
Oh, Polly?
Polly, this is Madeline.
She's coming to work here.
Would you mind taking
charge of her? Sure.
What are you going to do?
Oh, model, I guess.
You ought to do all right,
if your feet hold out.
Why? Is it so tough?
Not so bad, unless you run into
a 42 that wants to get into a 16.
You're to go right up to
Mr. Anderson's office, Polly.
Me? What for?
I don't know. He just called for you.
Oh.
See you later, babe.
Uh, does Mr. Anderson call often?
Yes. Quite often.
Hello, Mr. Anderson.
Oh, it's you.
I didn't know you with
all your clothes on.
I'm just giving my face a break today.
You think I need a change, do you?
You've tried everything else
for 6 months, haven't you?
6 months? I'm just
getting my second wind.
You've been working on me
with everything you've got,
But I know what you
think before you think it.
I don't want you or any part of you.
I want that understood
because I think I can use you.
What part of me?
All of you.
I get it.
How much are you getting now?
35 a week when I'm not docked.
Could you use 70?
70 a week? What's the gag?
I want you to do something for me.
It's practically done. What is it?
Listen, come here.
In the next office sits a gentleman
by the name of Mr. Denton Ross.
Sure. I know him.
Ross is wasting too much of his
valuable time watching my affairs.
He's much too busy around here.
He needs somebody to take
his mind off his work.
You can do that better
than anybody I know.
And I get paid for it? Yes.
Oh! That'll be wonderful.
Save it. Don't waste it on me.
Oh! Mr. Ross, I hope you aren't busy,
But I just had to see you.
What is it, young lady?
I suppose I should really
talk to Mr. Anderson,
But I'd much rather
see you. Do you mind?
Not at all, not at all.
Anyhow, I think you
understand better than anybody
What we girls have to put up
with down in the department.
I know you'll protect me.
Why, certainly, certainly.
Sit right down, miss, uh-
Dale. Polly dale. I'm a model.
Oh!
Have you been having any trouble?
Yes.
Tell me all about it, my dear.
It's about stockings.
Stockings?
Yes. They don't want
me to wear stockings,
And that means no girdle.
Oh, I feel just awful.
And then miss Sibley wants
us to rouge our heels.
Do what?
Rouge our heels, like this.
I see.
Honestly, I'm so ashamed, Mr. Ross.
I didn't want to take
this up with Mr. Anderson,
Because, well, I'm so afraid of him,
And I think you understand
how we girls feel about it.
Yes, my dear. I understand perfectly,
Perfectly.
I'll have a talk with
miss Sibley about it.
But you won't tell her I
came up to see you, will you?
She'll be awful mad.
Promise?
I won't tell her.
Oh, thank you. You don't
mind if I come to you
With these little things, do you?
Not at all, my dear. Not at all. No.
Come anytime you like, anytime.
Oh, thank you. You're so nice.
Good-Bye.
$2,000 a day,
3/4 of a million dollars
a year. That's depression.
I know we've done
$100 million in a year.
I know that we employ 12,000 people
and that we're a great institution-
None of which means a thing
unless we can make money.
I don't want to throw a couple
of thousand people out of jobs,
So instead of doing that, I'm
going to cut your salaries again.
Everybody, including myself,
Will take a 10% cut beginning next week.
Mr. Anderson, that's the
third cut we've taken.
It's too much.
All right. Try looking for
another job, then. You're through.
That suits me!
And now I want some ideas!
Sales ideas that'll sell goods.
If you can't sell goods,
you're going to have to get out.
When the bell sounds
at 5:30, everyone stops
As though that was
what they were paid for.
They're paid to work
- Not 8 hours a day,
But as long as there's
anything to be done.
Mr. Anderson, Mr. Anderson,
I have here a cablegram from
my cousin commodore Monroe
Addressed to all the
executives of the store.
I said I wanted some bright ideas.
Our biggest loss is in
the men's department,
Where we're doing 1/3 the
business we did a year ago.
Higgins, what ideas have you
for your men's department?
Ideas?
Didn't you ever hear of them?
Well, uh, I don't know as
there's very much to be said.
There's a depression,
And everybody's affected, everything.
Why, I should say the thing to do
would be to retrench, economize.
I have a letter from the bankers
interested in this business.
They say the same thing
- Retrench, economize.
In other words, sit down and do nothing.
What do we need you for, then, Higgins?
Why do I pay you $15,000 a
year? To retrench and economize?
That's expensive sitting.
I want ideas that are going to cost
money, that are going to make money.
How about a window-Display
contest? Ties, shoes, hats, suits.
A contest in putting
the things together-
The right shoes, the
right hats, the right ties.
Make them clothes-Conscious.
What do you say, Higgins?
Why, this is not a
little 6th avenue shop.
Instead of having bags and shoes
And hats and dresses
all on different floors,
Couldn't we have a small
section in my department
Where the customer could see
the bags and shoes and hats
And get them to match the gowns?
Do that right away!
I'll have to have a crew to
shift the department around.
Get a crew. Have them work
all night if necessary.
From commodore Monroe now,
Mr. Anderson?
Go ahead.
Ah! Ahem!
"To the executive heads of
the Monroe department store.
"In these times which try men's souls,
"I send you this message to remind you
"That the founder of the Monroe store
"Was a descendant of James
Monroe and Benjamin Franklin.
"The Monroe store
"Has a great tradition behind it.
"We must meet the
situation that faces us
With high faith and courage. "
From our yacht.
"We have touched bottom,
but it is an elastic bottom,
"A bottom from which we can rebound
To greater heights. "
I've got an idea! I've got a great idea!
Oh, I'm sorry. Now, what's the idea?
I begged your pardon! I
- Bottoms.
His saying "bottom" gave me the idea.
Men's shorts, men's underwear.
Wait. I'll give it to you right.
I was watching the tie sale downstairs.
Men's ties. Who bought them? Women!
All right. Let's sell
men's things to women.
What do you say, Higgins?
Well, I-I don't see anything in that.
Women buy men's ties, but what of it?
They don't buy anything else for men.
Yes, they do! Men's shorts!
Right next to men's ties.
Right next to the sale, and
they hadn't been selling a thing.
But today we made 46 sales, to
women! Men's drawers to women!
Rubbish! I don't think so.
Behind every woman's purchase
is the shadow of a man.
Here's my idea
- Use shorts as a leader.
Advertise it, or even
don't advertise it,
But move that department next
to the women's ready-To-Wear
So that women will have to pass it.
We'll try it without advertising.
We'll use it as a test
to see if we can sell
Men's drawers to women.
And if we can, we can
sell them men's anything.
What do you think, Higgins?
Fantastic. Not at all in line
With the policy of the
store, and I've been
30 years in the business.
Higgins, get out. You're through.
Not publicly like this.
Publicly or privately, you're through.
You're too old, too set.
You don't think. You don't
work. You just sit there
And obstruct and shake your head.
You think a thing can't be done
because it hasn't been done.
You're deadwood, Higgins. Get out.
And my 30 years in
this store isn't worth-
You've been paid for all
your 30 years, overpaid.
I'll give you a year's salary.
It's worth it to have you out.
But I'm not deadwood!
Get out!
Anderson, this is inhuman!
You can get out, too!
What, I? The associate
executive vice president-
I don't care who you are!
Get busy and shift those departments.
All of you, get back on the
job. Work all night if necessary!
Yes?
The men's lavatory on the fourth
floor is out of order again.
Well, well. A football.
This is just what my
Sammy wants. How much?
$3.50. They're genuine pigskin.
What kind of skin?
Pigskin.
What's the idea of
having a lot of old songs
Out in front like this? Take them back
to the counter and get some new stuff!
Yes, sir.
We'll see whether things
like this can be done.
My husband is the editor of a newspaper.
I'll have this spread all over the
front page. That's what I'll do.
What is it, madam?
Are you the head of this store?
Yes. What's the matter?
I'm Mrs. Lee Hickox. You understand?
Well, Mrs. Hickox?
This man arrested me. Me!
He accused me of stealing my own bag.
How did I know it was her bag?
It was laying on the counter. I
thought it belonged to the store.
I bought this bag a week ago
At Gormley's. You can verify that.
Where was the bag?
On the counter with the
brassieres. I was buying brassieres.
Do we keep handbags among
the brassieres, Sweeney?
Well, what was I to think?
I'll hire somebody to
tell you what to think.
I'm so sorry this happened, Mrs. Hickox.
So am I. It'll make interesting reading
In my husband's newspaper.
We don't like that sort of publicity.
Just what is it worth to you?
I beg your pardon?
As a token of our appreciation,
May I beg you to accept as a gift
Some article of
merchandise from the store?
Just go through the store
and let miss hall know-
This young lady here.
I don't need to go through the store.
I've always wanted a
concert grand piano.
Will you have it sent
or take it with you?
Sent.
Very well. Miss hall, take the address.
And do forgive us, Mrs. Hickox.
Of course. With pleasure.
That's very generous of you.
Good-Bye, Mrs. Hickox.
Good-Bye, Mr. Anderson.
We'll take $10 a week out
of your salary, Sweeney,
Till that piano is paid for,
And I'll give you the wholesale price.
$10 a week? Gee, it'll take me
The rest of my life, Mr. Anderson.
I doubt if you'll live
that long. Get out.
Eighth floor-Toys, sporting goods,
Radios, phonographs, luggage,
Rowing machines, punching bags,
Bathing suits, bathing
caps, sweatshirts, tents,
Ukuleles, riding habits,
And wood-Burning outfits.
Listen, beautiful, I've got two
swell seats for the follies tonight.
Want to go? Uh-Huh.
Dinner? Yeah.
Meet you at 6:00 at the
side entrance. All righty.
Hello, beautiful. Bad news.
Sweet, I can't make it. Oh, martin.
I gave Mr. Anderson an idea, and now
I've got to stay and help supervise it.
I should have kept my mouth shut
until the morning, but I didn't.
When Anderson gives
an order, that's that.
Here. Take these theater
tickets and take a girlfriend.
I said a girlfriend, now.
I don't want to go without you.
You know, someone ought
to strangle Kurt Anderson
And give us all a vacation.
Aw, now, no, you don't.
Honey, he's all right when
you know him. He's a swell guy.
He's swell till you know him.
So you know him, huh?
I know how hard and cruel he is.
Martin, he's dynamite.
Honey, when did this happen?
It's no secret. Everyone
is scared to death of him,
And so am I.
Aw, just because he's
the boss, that's all.
Maybe you'll be scared
of me, too, someday.
You're not my boss... yet.
I said someday.
Maybe.
Good night, honey.
See you in the morning.
I want half a size larger than this.
The last pair of shoes I bought here
Scuffed all out in the toes,
And I said to Mary- That's
my son's wife, you know-
I said to her just this morning,
"That child should be taught
To take better care of her shoes. "
I did the best I could
with them, Mr. West.
If that's the best you can do,
You'd better take up plumbing.
Look at that figure.
Look at this one! And this one.
You can't draw women, that's
what's the matter with you.
I put in two days' work on them.
They're as good as
any of the stores use.
That's not good enough.
Aren't you going to pay me something?
For what?
Mr. West, if you only knew
how I needed this money.
The only time I'll pay for
pictures is when I can use them.
Well, that's pretty tough, Mr. West.
I never thought you'd
treat me like that.
It's your own fault.
Hello? Is Mr. Gordon there?
That you, Gordon? Listen, I've got
to have a set of fashion drawings
By tomorrow afternoon.
Hop in a taxicab and
get over here right now.
All right. I'll wait for you.
That's the way to do it, my boy.
Gee, I hated to do that
to him. He's a nice fellow.
But he's a rotten artist.
Yes. I used to feel sorry for
them, too, but I don't anymore.
It's a tough game, and you've
got to be hard to beat it.
Yeah. I'm finding that out.
You know, I think I could
make something out of you.
I've been watching you for some time.
You've got ideas, you're young, and
I like the way you've been working.
Do you think you could
fill Higgins' job?
Me, your assistant?
Well, I don't see why not.
This has been pretty much of a one
man's job that I've been doing here.
I like you a lot, young fellow.
I think I could train you,
Harden you up to the point where
you could step into my shoes someday.
Would you like that?
Gee, Mr. Anderson, I
- I don't know what to say.
Well, don't say anything.
I want you to move up into that office
next to mine where I can have you with me.
I'll want you 24 hours of the day.
You like to work, don't you?
Yes, sir.
So do I. It's the only thing
in the world worth anything.
You'll find that out.
You're not married, are you?
No. No, I'm not.
Oh. Well, that's fine.
This is no job for a married man.
Where would I be with a
wife hanging around my neck?
Don't you... like women?
Sure, I like 'em, in their place,
But there's no time
for wives in this job.
Love 'em and leave 'em. Get me?
Yeah, I think I do.
All right, martin. You move in tomorrow,
And I'll show you what
it means to be a success.
Thank you, Mr. Anderson.
Say, what's the matter with you?
You haven't told me you're
delirious with joy or anything.
Something wrong?
No. Everything's great.
There is too something
the matter. What is it?
Say, listen, young lady, do you
realize who you're talking to?
Good gracious. Who?
Kurt Anderson's new assistant.
Oh, martin, no.
No kidding.
Well, I-
I think that's marvelous.
It's a big job. It means 24 hours a day.
See, Anderson wants me
with him all the time, and-
Yes, I see. You won't
have any time for me.
Honey, it
- It isn't that.
It just wouldn't be fair to
you to get married right now.
You're getting closer and
closer to that man all the time.
Oh, martin, don't get like
him. I couldn't stand it.
You mustn't let him
dominate your life, too.
What do you mean, "too"?
Well, I mean he's brutal.
He'll take everything you've
got and then throw you out.
Everybody hates him.
And now he's taking you away from me.
He's not taking me away.
Oh, yes, he is.
I thought we were going
to be married tonight.
Well...
we don't have to be
married tonight, do we?
Oh, listen, sweetheart,
I'm crazy about you.
Just let me get set in my job.
Listen, honey, you don't
know that guy like I do.
He's been swell to me.
Tonight he opened up a little.
He's running that
store alone, all alone.
He wants me to help him.
I can't let him down now.
Besides, we need the dough, don't we?
I guess you know what
you can do with that.
I'm getting off here.
Say, don't tell me this is a wedding.
No, no. That couldn't be.
Anderson didn't order it.
Look. There's the bride and groom.
Oh, gee, doesn't she look pretty?
Kind of.
Oh, they look so happy.
Why shouldn't they?
They've just been married.
Honey, how's your
heart? Is it all right?
No. It's jumping right out of my mouth.
Well, come on.
What do you mean?
Come on. We're going to do it.
Pardon me. Is the head man around?
He means the minister.
Oh. Just a moment, please.
Uh, pardon me. Could I-
Or, we- Ask you a favor?
Are you newspaper reporters?
No. We want to get married.
Married?
Yes. You know,
Like you did to those two
who just ran out of here.
But, my dear young man,
there are certain formalities.
Oh, we don't want any
formalities. We've got the license.
And everything seems all ready here.
I mean, all the decorations and you.
Oh, please.
Well, it's rather unusual...
but I'll do it, since you wish me to.
Oh, thank you.
If you will just stand here.
Oh, Swanson and Evans, I want
you to witness this marriage.
Oh, have you the ring?
Did you get the ring?
No. I told you to get it.
You got the license. Why
didn't you get the ring?
Use yours. Oh.
That's quite all right.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered
together here in the sight of god
And in the face of this company...
martin, I tried to get you last night.
Where do you keep yourself lately?
Well, you see, I moved
to a quiet little place-
Yes. Well, don't keep it a secret.
Give the number to miss
hall, and if you're going out,
I want you to leave
word where I can get you.
All right. I will.
Let me know how the
men's shorts are going.
And get that umbrella sale
started. It's raining outside.
Defective. Send them back.
Send them all back.
Yes, sir.
Ever since the day you
smashed my business.
You don't remember that, do you?
You taught me a lesson.
I thought there was
such a thing as honesty
And cooperation and sincerity
in the business world.
I found out differently.
It's men like you who
crush that succeed.
All right. I'm going to succeed, too.
I'm here learning more of your methods.
Then with what little
money I've got left,
I'm going to start my business again.
Then I'm going to be like you.
Trust nobody. Work my
people day and night
And then throw them out.
And someday, maybe I'll get the
chance to do the same to you.
Here.
$5,000.
Are you trying to buy me off?
No. I want a half-Interest
in any business you go into.
You've got the right
idea now. Take this check.
Get out of this store.
Get busy. I'm staking you.
I'll pick my own partners,
if you don't mind.
Have it your own way, Garfinkle.
I'm doubling your salary and
putting you on a bigger job.
Er, young lady,
Where's the basement?
On the 12th floor, madam.
You fresh thing!
Madeline!
Hello, darling. I had
to run up to see you.
How are you, anyhow?
How did you ever get
away from Kurt Anderson
Long enough to come up and see me?
He's out to lunch.
I hope he gets indigestion.
Oh, now, honey.
Close the curtains, martin.
Do you know what today is?
Sure.
Tuesday.
Oh, no, stupid.
This is our third anniversary.
We've been married 3 weeks today.
That's right.
Oh, martin, I don't get
to see half enough of you.
It's kind of tough sneaking
around like we were strangers.
Listen, honey, I'd like to tell the
gang here about us being married,
But I can't right now.
Our future depends on it.
Wait till I get a better
footing and a little money saved.
I'll tell Anderson
about us being married,
And he'll have to like it or else.
Who manufactures these toy dogs?
Stern's novelty company, jersey city.
Tell them we'll take them if they'll
take off the label "made in Germany"
And put on "made in
Japan. " It'll sell better.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Higgins is here again.
I don't want to see him.
He says he must see you.
He's been trying to
see you for two weeks.
That guy's getting in my hair.
Tell him to get out and stay out.
All right.
And call a meeting of the advertising
And merchandising
departments for 9:00 tonight.
Mr. Anderson, you can't do that tonight.
Who says I can't?
The grand ball of the
employees welfare association.
You've got to go, too. I
left a note on your desk.
Is that tonight?
Yes. And I bought a new dress.
Oh, don't make me work tonight, please.
Oh, you bought a new dress? Where?
Well, you see, I needed a-
Where did you buy it?
That little shop on sixth avenue.
Sixth avenue? What's the
matter with this store?
We even give you an employee's discount.
Well, they were selling
out, and it was cheap, and-
If my own employees won't buy here,
How can we expect anybody else to?
There are 12,000 of them.
Multiply your disloyalty by
12,000, and it means something.
Don't you realize we're
fighting for our lives here?
Can't I even spend my
money where I please?
Whose money? Who pays it to you?
You, I suppose.
To spend on sixth avenue? Not unless you
want to find yourself a job over there.
Oh, please, Mr. Anderson. I'm sorry.
I didn't realize.
I won't even wear it
tonight. I'll take it back.
No. Bring that dress in
here tomorrow morning.
I'll use it for a sample.
I'll show the head of
the women's department
What our employees are
buying on the outside,
And if she can't duplicate it
for less money, I'll fire her!
And that goes for every
department in this store.
Sixth avenue will think its
throat is cut when I get through.
I'll find out at the party tonight how
many dresses were bought on the outside.
Tell miss Sibley to look them
over and give me an estimate.
Yes, Mr. Anderson. I
hope you have a nice time.
Uh. Thanks.
Why don't you come back next week?
I'm sure he'll see you then.
Oh, there's no use.
There's no use.
Well, thank you again, miss
hall, for all your kindness,
And... good-Bye.
Pardon me. Where's the
lampshade department?
Why, 4 aisles down and
turn to your right, lady.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
How are the sales of men's
shorts to women going?
Great. 246 sales at 3:00.
Fine. We'll extend it to
shirts and socks next week.
Well, my boy, how do you like your job?
Swell.
You're just beginning.
Wait till you get your stride.
Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson!
What's the matter with you?
What is it, Sweeney?
Mr. Higgins jumped out
of a window on the 9th.
Higgins?
When?
Dead?
Yes, sir. They took the body
to Campbell's funeral parlor.
I found this on the windowsill.
Thanks. I'll look after it.
"To Mr. Arnold Higgins
From the employees of Franklin
Monroe & company, 1906."
When a man outlives his usefulness,
he ought to jump out of a window.
That's the trouble with most men.
They don't realize when they're through.
Higgins was through.
I'll be through someday.
I hope I find it out
before someone else does.
But-He's worked here for 30 years!
We'll send him a wreath.
And I'm in his shoes. I took his job.
I feel like it was my fault.
Listen, martin, forget Higgins.
This is war, understand?
War. He's just one of the casualties.
Was he... married?
Nope. Never had time.
All alone. No friends. No
job. Must have been awful.
I'm alone. I've always been alone. It's
the only way a man can get anywhere.
Friends can't help you. They're
too busy selling their own peanuts.
And a wife makes a slave of you.
I was alone when I took over this
store. I've fought it through alone.
It takes brains to do that.
Haven't you... any friends?
You and I get along
pretty well, don't we?
Sure, Mr. Anderson.
Call me Kurt.
All right, Kurt.
Haven't you ever loved anybody?
Sure. I could have
married a hundred women.
One would have been enough, wouldn't it?
But I didn't do it.
I was raised on a farm
- A poor little farm in Ohio.
I nearly fell for a girl back there,
but I was too poor to marry her.
If I had, I'd have been there yet.
Might have had a son about like you-
Brought into the world to
struggle in poverty, like I did.
But I ran away from it, and I've
smashed my way through to where I am now.
And I've got you for
a son, just the same.
Get the idea?
Yes, I get it.
All right. Now get out of
here and come back at 6:00.
Can't I meet you at
the party? You see, I-
6:00.
I don't know how long
I'm going to be able to
stand this, Mr. Anderson.
What's the matter with Ross?
All he wants to do
is play chess with me.
How do you stop a guy from doing that?
Try playing post office.
I'd much rather go back to the
department, if you don't mind.
I can't learn chess, and
I don't want to learn it.
There's nothing like a nice, snappy
game of chess to get you down.
Give him time, my dear. Give him time.
Won't you let me go?
Nope. You stay right where you are.
There won't be any chessboard
at the party tonight.
70 bucks a week for a chess player.
Do I have to be true to that guy?
Absolutely.
Ohh!
To the executive heads and employees
Of the Monroe department store,
I deeply regret that I'm unable
to be present this evening
To shake the hand of each
and every loyal employee
That has helped to make the
Monroe store a monument of success.
In these difficult times
which try men's souls,
I send you this message
to again remind you
That the founder of the Monroe store
Was a descendant of James
Monroe and Benjamin Franklin.
We have touched bottom,
But it is an elastic bottom,
A bottom from which we can
rebound to greater heights.
Signed, commodore Monroe.
You needn't have kept
me waiting for two hours,
Kurt Anderson or no Kurt Anderson.
I tried to get out of it, but
he wanted to talk business.
Sometimes I think you care
more for him than you do for me.
Darling, he insisted
I have dinner with him.
I couldn't tell him about
us, and I couldn't say no.
You seem to be able to
say no to me very nicely.
Yeah, I'm a heel. Just a heel.
I'm certainly glad we agree
on something this evening.
What'd you want to
marry a guy like me for?
I didn't want to marry a guy like you.
It was another guy I married,
but I never see him anymore.
Why, the only night I get a chance
to go out with him, he stands me up,
And simply because Kurt
Anderson asked him to.
Well, let me tell you something.
I'll try a little stepping
out, too. I've got friends.
Oh. Going to make me feel sorry, huh?
I thought I came here
to have a good time!
Don't let me stop you.
Ohh, all right.
If that's the way you feel about it.
That's adorable. You
look just like a monkey.
Ooh, look out. Fall off. Shh, shh.
Nope. You have to have
an organ for that one.
Nope. Can't use it. Let me see.
Oh! Just a big man's little hat.
Give me a kiss, darling. Give me a kiss.
Ohh!
You forgot something.
You look familiar.
I'd like to be.
How do you get that way?
Very pleasantly.
I haven't seen you for a long time.
Not long enough, thank you.
Well, now that we've
seen each other, good-Bye.
Are you afraid of me?
No. Certainly not.
I dare you to talk to me.
Well, what about?
We might find plenty to
talk about, if you'd try.
you're the flower
of
my heart
sweet Adeline
Ha ha ha!
Oh, we ought to go on the stage.
Oh, a little went up my nose.
I think we'd better have
another little drink.
Yep.
Yeah. For once, I agree with you.
I agree with you perfectly.
Oh, wait a minute! Maybe
I shouldn't have any more.
I feel kind of foggy.
Go ahead and get foggy.
You're among friends.
Can I depend on that?
Absolutely.
Oh, I don't care.
Everything's all wrong, anyway.
Maybe I'm wrong about you.
Maybe I'm wrong about everything.
Who knows? I don't know.
Oh, look at the pretty balloon.
Aah!
Ha ha ha!
Oh!
What's the idea?
How about another little drink?
No, no. No more. Come on. Pull me up.
Ohh. Oh.
Oh.
Ooh.
How do you feel?
I feel all right. How do you feel?
Would you like to take a little rest?
Rest?
Yeah. Go up to 1032.
It's reserved for me.
Just throw yourself down, and
when you feel better, come on back.
I'll wait right here.
Room 1032?
Yes. The door's open.
Go right in and make yourself at home.
Ok.
Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Uh?
You all know what time it is? 6:00.
Ohh.
6:00?
Yes, sir.
Ohh. Have you got any ice water?
I'll get you some.
Oh. Don't let anything stop you.
Yes, sir.
I'm on fire.
Going down?
Oh.
Good morning, Mr. Anderson.
Hi.
Well, how do you find
yourself this morning, my boy?
Ohh, I just looked under the table,
And there I was.
There are times for relaxation.
Last night was one of them.
I relaxed a little bit myself.
I hope you did as well as I did.
Oh, I did all right.
Well, pick yourself up, change
your clothes, and get on the job.
The party's over.
Yeah, but I gotta have an aspirin.
Forgive me, darling.
Forgive you?
I was pretty tight last night.
I made a fool of myself.
I guess I fell asleep
in the linoleum bar.
Anyhow, I was there when
I woke up this morning.
That's why I didn't
come home last night.
I'm sorry, darling.
Do you feel all right now?
Sure, I'm all right.
Who took you home?
Nobody.
I won't do it again. I'm sorry.
I just blew up, that's all.
I said a lot of things I didn't mean.
Oh, that's all right, martin.
Oh, you're marvelous.
Why don't you bawl me out a little?
You couldn't help it.
Oh, martin, tell me that you love me.
That's all I want.
More than anything else in the world.
Oh, it won't be long now, darling.
You can quit the store,
And we'll tell people we're married.
We'll have enough money to have a baby,
If we want one.
Oh, martin.
Madeline?
See you later.
Hello, Bradford. Have a seat.
I wrote you a letter, Mr. Anderson,
Telling you I had an important matter
I wanted to talk to you about.
You didn't seem to believe me.
I knew you'd come in here
if it was anything important.
I haven't got time to run over to
your office to talk about the weather.
It's not about the
weather, I assure you.
Well, let's have it, then.
I've spoken to Maclaine
of the first national bank
And bittle of the farmers
national, and my own bank, too.
Oh, we're worried, Anderson.
At a time like this, there
should be retrenchment,
Cutting down, not spending and
expanding, as you are doing.
You bankers make me sick.
You don't know how to
run your own business,
And you want to tell everyone
else how to run theirs.
I'm running this business.
On whose money, Anderson?
On the money that my brains and
labor have earned in profits,
That's whose money.
You're a banker, not a producer.
You haven't done a thing to
earn one penny of the profits
This business has paid into your pocket.
You couldn't go out and earn a nickel
In any business that required ideas.
All you have is dignity, and today,
you can't get a thin dime for it.
Now you listen to me, Anderson.
I won't listen to you. When I
want ideas, I won't come to you.
I'll communicate what you
said to the board of directors.
You'll probably hear from us.
I'm not interested in hearing from you.
You're not talking to some
scared little manufacturer.
It's not you who can let me down,
It's me who can let you down.
I know my stuff. You don't.
Anderson, within 24 hours,
There'll be a change in the
management of this business.
The board of directors
will meet in the morning.
Yes, sir?
Have Mr. Ross come in
here right away, please.
Yes, sir.
Well?
Listen, Ross, where's
Franklin Monroe's yacht?
Somewhere in the Mediterranean. Why?
He's got 40 votes on the board of
directors of this store, hasn't he?
Yes.
Enough to beat the bankers?
Yes.
Then I've got to have those votes.
I don't care how you get them,
Ross, I've got to have them.
Why, what has happened?
The board of directors
are meeting in the morning.
They're going to oust me and
take over the store themselves.
It means retrenchment, a thousand
employees thrown out of a job.
I've got to have those 40 votes by
10:00 in the morning to save this store.
Anderson... I don't like you.
That's mutual.
Nevertheless, as against
outside interests,
You are preferable.
Oh, I know what it means
if the bankers get in here.
I may disagree with you on
some points of management-
If you're trying to tell
me that within a year,
It means bankruptcy for the store,
you don't need to say it. I know it.
Very well. I'll cable my cousin at once.
I'll get him to let me
vote his 40 votes by proxy,
But it won't be easy.
Mr. Monroe doesn't like you, either.
All right. Give him a chance
at revenge. But get busy.
All right.
Complaints.
I asked you to come up
at closing time, didn't I?
This is closing time
As far as I'm concerned.
I was going to ask you to
come out with me tonight-
A nice little dinner in my
apartment. What do you say?
What is it
- Conscience?
Why do you want me?
I haven't any feeling for you.
I don't even hate you. I wish I could.
There's just no feeling at all.
Like someone you pick
up on the streets-
That what's I feel like.
Why don't you leave me alone?
Because you're an attractive woman-
One of the most
attractive I've ever seen.
There's something in us right
now that pulls us together.
We haven't anything to say about it.
If I just lay my hand on you now-
Don't touch me!
You may not come to me
tonight or tomorrow night,
But you'll come. You can't help it.
No, I won't! Yes, you will!
Furthermore, I've had a
look at your sales record.
It's pretty good
- Good enough to make
An assistant buyer of
you at a bigger salary
If you'll just keep your
head and work with me.
Don't you understand?
That's not what I want.
What do you want me to do-Marry you?
Bunk! When you dames get your
claws on a man, you don't let him go
Till you've dragged him to
some altar and ruined his life!
All you're looking for is a soft place
to park for the rest of your life!
The only thing I've ever asked
you for is to be let alone!
That's all I want, and as for
marrying you, you're safe there, too.
I'm married, and I love my husband.
What I do with my life doesn't matter,
But I won't make a mess out of martin's!
Martin? You mean martin west?
Yes. Yes. Now you know.
Why didn't he tell me?
I love martin, Mr. Anderson-
More than anything else in the world.
You must help me protect him.
I didn't mean to tell you about
our marriage. He wanted to do that.
Don't tell him you know, will
you? You owe me that much.
I'll take care of it.
Yes.
Tell miss dale to come in here!
I've got a new job for you. Doing what?
You know young west? Sure.
He's tangled up with a woman.
You think he'll live?
I want him back, do you understand?
I want him. I want you to break
that thing up and deliver him to me.
I'll fix you up a date with
martin. He might just fall for you.
Who's the competition?
A girl named Madeline in
the women's department.
Madeline?
Yes. The young fool
ran off and married her.
And you want me to put
him back in circulation?
Exactly.
Well, the answer is no.
Huh? I said no.
$150 a week if you can
get him to look at you.
I'm not interested.
You've got a price. What is it?
There are some things I won't
do, and that's one of them.
When did you develop principles?
Oh, I saved a couple out of the crash.
Listen, I've made something
of that boy. I need him.
I'm giving him the
opportunity of his life,
And he's throwing it away on a woman!
You want to save him from loving
a swell girl like Madeline,
And you don't care what becomes of
her, as long as you get your martin!
Say, why don't you keep your nose
Out of other people's lives
before somebody smacks you down?
You let those two alone!
You're through! You get your
last salary saturday night.
Not as long as I can play chess.
Yes?
The men's lavatory on the fourth
floor is out of order again.
I have cabled every Mediterranean port.
I sent radio messages
to locate that yacht.
Miss hall, get western union on
the telephone. Get postal, too.
Yes, sir.
The board of directors meets at 10:00.
We've got to have those proxies, Ross!
Well, I'm keeping the wires open.
I spent the night trying to think
up some scheme to do our own banking
And tell them all to go to the devil.
Haven't you been to bed at all?
No. Too much sleep
makes a man's brain dull.
That's why your brain's dull.
You sleep 9 hours on one of
our double-Jointed springs.
Yes.
What's the report?
Western union has received
nothing. I'm getting postal.
All right, keep after them.
Yes, sir.
Well, what's the matter with you, Ross?
Oh, uh, nothing, nothing.
I
- I'm beginning to appreciate you, perhaps.
You don't know when
you are licked, do you?
Beginning to like me, huh?
I despise you for that, Ross.
What time is it?
16 minutes past 9:00.
44 minutes left, huh?
Well, it's all up to
little Franklin Monroe.
King Monroe. Ha ha! The handshaker.
Funny world, Ross. Look at us-
A couple of numskulls struggling to
keep this store from cracking to pieces.
We must be a little mad, aren't we?
If we were sane, we wouldn't
be able to stand it, would we?
You-You mean, uh...
we all do insane things once in a while?
Yes, I-I suppose you are right.
Oh, uh, and listen.
Can I ask you for some advice?
What about?
A woman.
A woman? You?
Yes.
Yes, yes, it's one
of those insane things
We all do.
Well, you know how it is.
See, she's blackmailing me.
Yes. I'm caught like a rat in a trap.
I'll be ruined. Franklin
Monroe might hear of it.
Anderson, you know all about women.
What am I to do?
Why don't you kill her?
Huh?
Yes.
Anything from postal?
No.
If you don't, she'll
probably kill you someday.
Does she carry a gun in her purse?
I don't know. Do you think she might?
She might do anything.
Oh, heavens, I-
Go ahead! Kill her and be done with it.
No. No.
I'll marry her first.
Kurt, I've got an idea.
I want to get 10 beautiful
park avenue debutantes.
Not to sell women's
clothes-That's our best department.
I want to put them in oriental rugs. We're
taking it on the chin in that department!
Debutantes selling oriental rugs?
Sure! The commission on
the sales goes to charity.
The debutantes are
supporting a bread line.
We'll support the bread
line if they sell rugs.
Do that right away. Oh, by the way...
there's going to be
plenty of night work.
I was just wondering whether
it wouldn't be a good idea
If you moved over to my hotel.
I'll get a couple of
rooms next to mine for you.
I'd like to have you a
little more available.
Uh, I'm sorry, Kurt. I...
I don't
- I don't think
It would work out so well.
Why not?
Well, I...
I'm married.
Uh-Huh.
I should have told you
A long time ago, I
suppose. Sorry I didn't.
I hope it won't make any difference.
Kurt, she won't interfere.
She won't? She has.
I ask you to come and live with me
So we can be together and plan and work,
But you can't do it because
you've got to run home to a woman,
And that's only the beginning.
She's hogtied you, my boy.
You won't be able to
think straight pretty soon.
But, Mr. Anderson, she's a swell kid.
You'd like her if you knew
her. She works here, too.
All I hoped for is in you.
I want you to stick to me
- Me, you understand?
Let this woman go.
What?
Sure. Turn her loose. A
little money will do the trick.
That's all any of them want.
Why, you-You don't know
what you're talking about!
I don't, eh? I've got rid
of plenty of them that way.
What do they care what man it is,
So long as they tie him
down for a life contract?
Don't be a sucker, martin.
You can't talk about
my wife like that, Kurt.
She's no different
from the rest of them.
I ought to slam you
in the nose for that.
Well, why don't you
do it? Are you yellow?
Yes.
Get western union and postal again.
Tell that girl Madeline waters
To drop what she's doing
and come up here right away.
Yes, sir.
Listen, you think I don't
know what I'm talking about.
I'm going to show you that I do.
I want you to sit right
here and get an earful.
Yes.
Has that girl come up yet
- The one I sent for?
Yes. She's here now.
All right, send her in and
keep after western union.
I'm getting them.
Come in, Mrs. West.
I just had a talk with martin about you.
Well, I don't think
There's anything more to
discuss about me. I'm leaving.
You're a nice girl.
I've nothing against you...
personally...
but you're interfering with
martin's career and with his life.
How much is that marriage
license worth to you?
What do you mean? Are
you offering me money?
Yes, to let martin go.
Listen, when martin
goes, he goes with me.
I'm leaving this store today,
And I want my husband to
get away from here, too,
You women think an affair with you
Is the most important thing
in the world, don't you?
A man's work and his success is!
That's not true. It's I. It's martin.
We're the most important things.
Please discharge him, do you hear?
I don't want him to get like you.
Oh, you've changed your
mind about me, haven't you?
I was all right for you the
first night I met you, wasn't I?
I was all right for you the
night of the party, wasn't I?
Let me see. I think you were married
to martin at that time, weren't you?
And that's what you call love.
You women make me sick.
Come on, come on! How much?
Would you kindly direct me to
the ladies' millinery department?
I don't work here.
Oh, I beg your pardon.
Step aside, people. Please move back.
Please move back.
What's happened?
One of the girls fainted.
It's nothing at all. They've
taken her to first aid.
Who is she?
Is it Madeline?
Come on, tell me!
Yes, it is. She's
- She's taken poison.
But they've taken her to first aid.
Don't worry, martin. She'll be
all right. I'm sure she will.
Yes.
Anything from western union?
No, sir.
I want to see you alone.
All right.
Well?
You see this?
Madeline took it!
They've taken her to the hospital.
You know what I'm going to do?
I'm going to pour this down your throat.
I'm going to pour this down your throat!
Here.
You might have a little trouble
pouring that stuff down my throat.
Go ahead, use it!
You think I won't?
Well?
I'm sorry, Anderson.
I'm afraid we're licked.
Thanks.
All right, go ahead, and don't miss.
I told you you were yellow!
You can't even shoot straight, can you?
Mr. Anderson, what happened?
Nothing, nothing.
I thought I heard a shot.
What do you people want in
here? Get out, all of you!
But there was a shot.
Do I look shot? Get out!
Yes, sir.
How's that girl who took poison?
Oh, she's fine. She'll get better.
You hear that? She's going to live.
I wish I'd killed you.
Sure, that's the spirit.
What did you want to save me for?
I don't want to be saved-Not by you!
You're not going to be saved
by me. You're not worth it.
I thought for a while I
could make something of you,
But I've changed my mind. You're yellow.
If not being the kind of a man you are
Is being yellow, then yes, I'm yellow!
If I had to be like you to be a
success, then I don't want success!
I'm going to take my wife out of here
- Out of this hole, out of this town!
I don't want to see this store again
As long as I live
- Or you, either!
Yes.
Tell western union and
postal to forget it.
Yes, sir.
Here you are, pal.
Mud in your eye.
Hair off your head.
Boy. Hmm!
Well, maybe after all,
You're the only kind of
woman a man should have.
Are you just finding that out?
How'd you like to go
to Paris, the Riviera?
With you?
Yeah.
Oh, stop. You're
killing me. Would I? Oh!
Well, why not? I'm all washed up here.
I don't have to sit
at this desk anymore.
I don't have to run this store.
Let it crack! I don't care.
We'll go to Europe and play.
I've never really played.
Maybe I've been missing something.
When I get tired, I'll pay
you off. That all right?
When do we start?
The first boat out. Oh!
Love.
We don't need love, do we?
No.
Oh, it's a lot of hooey.
Martin fell in love, and
the girl turned to me.
Go down and order yourself
A lot of clothes
- Anything you want.
Charge it to my account.
Darling, oh!
Anderson, I-
What are you doing with that hussy?
I'm saving you from blackmail.
Then there's good news for both of us!
I just got a cable from my cousin.
I'm voting his proxies for you.
What time is it? 7 minutes to 10:00!
We've just got time to
make it, then. Come on!
Let her go.
Well, these are the times
That try men's souls, Anderson.
Experiences like this
pull men close together.
Well, too close for me.
What is that stuff the barber
sprays you with-Vanilla?
Anderson, have you no gratitude?
Bah!
You've all heard the motion-
Oust Anderson and take over
The full management of the store.
As Mr. Monroe is absent
And his party votes are
not represented by proxy,
We will mark his shares not voting.
All in favor will signify
in the usual manner.
One moment, gentlemen!
Just one moment, please!
There.
By the authority of that cablegram,
I cast 40 votes to retain Mr. Anderson
In supreme command of
Franklin Monroe & co.
Sorry to have kept
you waiting, gentlemen.
You win, Anderson.
Where's the report on that
dress sale? Are you asleep?
Oh. Have Garfinkle's name
Put on the office door next to mine.
What for?
You're my new assistant.
Who said I wanted to be?
I said so. I broke you once,
And now I'm going to make you. Get out!
Thanks. If I get the chance,
I'm going to break you.
Congratulations, Anderson.
Get out!
Ha ha! You are the limit.
I'm ready. What about you?
Ready for what?
Paris and the Riviera.
Never heard of them. But you said-
I don't remember what I said.
Get out of here and stay out.
And tell Stephenson I want him.
How's the dress sale?
Give me the figures.
Yes, sir.
Then you mean we're not going?
No. I'm busy!
Oh!
And by the way... take off those clothes
And give them back to
the women's department.
Ooh! I hope you choke!
Yes.
Men's lavatory on the fourth
floor is out of order again.
Take it out and use it for a storeroom.
Yes, sir.
How do you feel, honey... better?
Oh, honey, I love you...
more than ever.
We're going to start all over again.
It's been done before.
And you were a bunch of gentlemen
till you got that maniac Anderson.
He wants me to stand the loss.
Anderson, Anderson.
Who is this guy Anderson, anyway?
I thought you were the
owner of this store.
But I've worked for you
for 12 years, Mr. Monroe.
I don't deserve to be thrown
out for one little mistake.
Mr. Anderson has charge of that.
I helped your father build this business
Through the advertising
columns in my newspaper.
I was his friend, I've been your friend,
And now you suddenly decide to withdraw
Your advertising from
my pages. Why? Why?
I know, I know. I'm terribly sorry,
But Mr. Anderson thinks...
hello?
Send Mr. Anderson in, please.
Yes, sir.
I... I hope I get away
pretty soon, gentlemen.
The transatlantic flyers are arriving.
I've got to get down
the bay to meet the ship.
The, uh, mayor is depending on me.
Oh. Gentlemen, this is Mr.
Anderson, our general manager.
How do you do? Good morning.
You will find a chair there, Anderson.
Thanks.
Mr. Anderson, we've
been talking about you.
Business has run along very nicely,
And we would like to give you
the privilege to continue with us,
But it has been mentioned, however,
That your methods have
been a little, uh...
well, shall we say,
overzealous at times?
Uh, it might be well
For Mr. Ross to
supervise your decisions.
An excellent suggestion.
Otherwise, I congratulate you
On having made good with us,
And I invite you to continue
in your present position.
Thank you, gentlemen.
I'm glad you're satisfied with
the business we're doing here.
All we need are bigger and better
Welcoming parties on board that yacht,
And business will go
right through the roof!
The day that Lindbergh arrived,
there weren't 20 people in the store,
And when the prince of Wales
And the king of Siam and
the president of Cuba came,
Gentlemen, we simply touched bottom.
There's only one answer to it...
either move this store out
Onto that yacht or move
the yacht into the store.
What are you talking about?
I'm talking about the
business of this store, Ross,
In case you don't get me.
When I first went to work here,
I was a kid, 20 years old,
In the shipping department,
one of a thousand.
I've been through many
departments since then.
I've seen thousands of
employees come and go,
And I've come to one conclusion-
There's no room for
sympathy or softness.
My code is smash or be smashed.
I took this store
When it was a pile of
junk without leadership.
I converted it into assets,
Assets for you gentlemen to pat
one another on the back about.
Do you think you did
it? Ha ha! No! I did it!
I don't own any yachts.
I'm not on the mayor's
welcoming committee.
I did it because I know how!
This store has got to go on climbing,
And I'm here to see that it does.
As for commodore Monroe,
You're the greatest welcomer
this city has ever had
And the worst department
store executive!
Anderson! How dare you?
There's only one man
That can keep this store at top speed
- Me!
You know it.
You want me to keep it going, don't you?
You invite me to continue, don't you?
You bet your necks
I'm going to continue,
But I'm going to be in supreme command
and be responsible for what I do.
I'll take a new contract
at double my present salary
And supervision from nobody!
Oh, preposterous!
I'll give you that one
chance to keep me here,
Or I sign a contract with Gormley's-
Your biggest competitor
- Tomorrow morning.
The insolent upstart!
He's only an employee. How dare he!
I warned you. He is a
menace to this store.
The sooner you let him go, the better.
Dismiss him, Ross. Dismiss him at once.
Hold on a minute. I've got
something to say about this!
I've got plenty to say if I
can make you gentlemen listen.
Are you going to defend him?
- Yes!
I own this store, and if I see fit
To discharge an employee,
that's my business.
Yeah, but we have millions
involved in this store.
Exactly. We can't afford
to let Anderson go.
This is an outrage!
But it's business sense, Monroe.
- Ohh!
Now, look here, no offense, commodore.
As outside contact man, you
are serving us magnificently.
Your social prestige is
worth millions in sales.
We've got to have you
On the mayor's welcoming committee.
Why, it's a big job.
I'm glad you realize it.
But at the same time,
We've got to have somebody
that can run this store.
You can't lose by it, commodore.
The more money he makes for this store,
The more your common stock
is going to be worth to you.
Why, certainly.
Good heavens, gentlemen!
My escort. I've got to go.
Yes. Of course you must.
But, commodore, you can't go now.
We're going to bring
this matter to a vote!
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
The transatlantic flyers!
They're waiting for me.
Most important. Yes. Success. Success.
Thank you.
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
I propose that we retain Mr.
Anderson on his own terms.
All those in favor,
Signify with the usual sign.
Aye! Aye! Aye!
No.
The ayes have it.
Who's this man?
I'm Mr. Garfinkle.
He's a manufacturer.
We gave him an order for swagger coats.
Well?
I'll be just 3 days
late with that order.
I've had labor trouble.
You know how it is when
you've got labor trouble.
These were for a 3-Day
special beginning tomorrow.
The advertising is in the papers today.
I can give you some coats for tomorrow.
That'll be all right.
That'll cover us, and then
we can say we've sold out.
All right. Take what
he can give you tomorrow
And cancel the rest of the order.
Cancel? Why
- Why, you can't do that.
Why, all my capital, everything
is tied up in that order.
5,000 coats.
I've got $30,000 invested.
That's all the money
I've got in the world.
Cancel the order, and we'll sue him
For the cost of the advertising
And for the estimated loss on the sale.
All right, Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson, I
- I'm telling you,
I'm a ruined man if you do this.
I shouldn't have undertaken this order,
But I did it for you...
for the big Monroe department store
At a price where I made no profit.
I did it because I thought,
if I get your order once,
Big things might come from it.
Now if you cancel the order,
Even if you don't sue me, I'm ruined.
It's like if you were
threatening to kill me.
Here. Send these back. What's the
report on the men's underwear sale?
618 sales at 1:00.
Keep me posted.
Don't you hear me, mister? It's my life!
Yes, I hear you. Merchandise
is the life of this store.
When you promise to deliver
On a certain day and don't
do it, you threaten our life.
But it only happened once.
It can't happen again.
It can't happen once!
Now, get out of here.
Yes?
The men's lavatory on the fourth
floor is out of order again.
Take a note to the head
of the repair department.
Fix men's lavatory on the
fourth floor or be fired.
I won't need my car till 7:30
or so. Tell my chauffeur to wait.
Where can I find you, please?
I'm going to inspect the
fifth and sixth floors.
Well, who are you?
Don't you know better
Than to break into a lady's
house without knocking?
Oh, you're the lady
of the house, are you?
Mm-Hmm. Besides, how did you know?
I might have been taking
a bath or something.
Who are you?
Oh, I'm only the landlord.
You haven't paid your
rent this month, lady.
I know I haven't, but
you wouldn't throw me out
On a stormy night like this,
Would you, mister?
Aw, come on. I was just
going to have a bite to eat.
Would you like to join me? Come on.
Oh, just look at that. A
lovely papier-mch chicken.
Mmm. I'll bet that's good.
How would you like a wax banana?
I'd love it.
Or perhaps I could make
you a sandwich. Mmm.
Oh, fresh, too.
And look. There's some nice
fake milk. Just what we need.
I'm sorry I can't offer
you anything better, mister.
You work here, don't you?
Yes, I work here.
You're lucky. I've been trying
to get a job here myself.
Tell me, is it a tough place to work in?
Oh, not so bad.
By the way, what are you doing here?
Don't you know it's after closing time?
Be a sport, will you, and let me stay?
I'll turn out all the
lights and be very quiet.
I'll sleep in there on that couch,
And no one will ever
know the difference.
Haven't you got any
other place to sleep?
No. Well, that is, not as nice as this.
And besides, I want to be
The first one to the employment
office in the morning.
Broke?
Very.
With your looks, you shouldn't
have any trouble getting a job.
Thank you, but I'd rather
be employed for my brains.
What's going on in here?
Oh, it's you, Mr. Anderson.
Beg pardon, sir.
I seen a light in here, and I thought-
It's all right, Joe.
A
- Anderson? You mean, you're Kurt Anderson?
Mm-Hmm. What of it?
Oh. Well, I've been trying to get in
To see you all day for a job.
I've got all night to listen.
How about a little dinner first?
What'll we do with all this
food? It's too bad to waste it.
It'll keep.
Come along, miss Whosis.
Madeline Whosis, if you please.
Good night, Ross.
It's getting pretty late,
And I guess I'd better go.
All I can say is, thanks
so much, Mr. Anderson,
For everything and for
being so nice to me.
I suppose I ate like a little pig,
But, gee, you don't
know how hungry I was.
Oh, yes, I was, really.
I think I'm going to
like working for you,
And I'll pay you back that $10
out of my first week's paycheck.
Ha ha ha! Oh, yes, I will, really.
I wish I could really thank you,
But I can't ask you to dinner,
and I can't give you a job.
So good night, Mr. Anderson,
and, well, thanks again.
Now, wait a minute.
You don't have to go, you know.
Oh, yes, I do.
No, you don't.
Second floor-Lingerie,
pajamas, millinery,
Women and children's shoes, corsets,
Brassieres, girdles, abdominal bands,
Air mattresses, bicycle
tires, army cots, canoe paint,
Shoe stretchers, and boy scout outfits.
Your name?
Walters. Madeline Walters.
Address?
Eddington apartments, 34,
West 55th street.
Have you had any experience modeling?
No.
Then I expect I better put you
with someone for a little while.
Will you come this way?
Oh, Polly?
Polly, this is Madeline.
She's coming to work here.
Would you mind taking
charge of her? Sure.
What are you going to do?
Oh, model, I guess.
You ought to do all right,
if your feet hold out.
Why? Is it so tough?
Not so bad, unless you run into
a 42 that wants to get into a 16.
You're to go right up to
Mr. Anderson's office, Polly.
Me? What for?
I don't know. He just called for you.
Oh.
See you later, babe.
Uh, does Mr. Anderson call often?
Yes. Quite often.
Hello, Mr. Anderson.
Oh, it's you.
I didn't know you with
all your clothes on.
I'm just giving my face a break today.
You think I need a change, do you?
You've tried everything else
for 6 months, haven't you?
6 months? I'm just
getting my second wind.
You've been working on me
with everything you've got,
But I know what you
think before you think it.
I don't want you or any part of you.
I want that understood
because I think I can use you.
What part of me?
All of you.
I get it.
How much are you getting now?
35 a week when I'm not docked.
Could you use 70?
70 a week? What's the gag?
I want you to do something for me.
It's practically done. What is it?
Listen, come here.
In the next office sits a gentleman
by the name of Mr. Denton Ross.
Sure. I know him.
Ross is wasting too much of his
valuable time watching my affairs.
He's much too busy around here.
He needs somebody to take
his mind off his work.
You can do that better
than anybody I know.
And I get paid for it? Yes.
Oh! That'll be wonderful.
Save it. Don't waste it on me.
Oh! Mr. Ross, I hope you aren't busy,
But I just had to see you.
What is it, young lady?
I suppose I should really
talk to Mr. Anderson,
But I'd much rather
see you. Do you mind?
Not at all, not at all.
Anyhow, I think you
understand better than anybody
What we girls have to put up
with down in the department.
I know you'll protect me.
Why, certainly, certainly.
Sit right down, miss, uh-
Dale. Polly dale. I'm a model.
Oh!
Have you been having any trouble?
Yes.
Tell me all about it, my dear.
It's about stockings.
Stockings?
Yes. They don't want
me to wear stockings,
And that means no girdle.
Oh, I feel just awful.
And then miss Sibley wants
us to rouge our heels.
Do what?
Rouge our heels, like this.
I see.
Honestly, I'm so ashamed, Mr. Ross.
I didn't want to take
this up with Mr. Anderson,
Because, well, I'm so afraid of him,
And I think you understand
how we girls feel about it.
Yes, my dear. I understand perfectly,
Perfectly.
I'll have a talk with
miss Sibley about it.
But you won't tell her I
came up to see you, will you?
She'll be awful mad.
Promise?
I won't tell her.
Oh, thank you. You don't
mind if I come to you
With these little things, do you?
Not at all, my dear. Not at all. No.
Come anytime you like, anytime.
Oh, thank you. You're so nice.
Good-Bye.
$2,000 a day,
3/4 of a million dollars
a year. That's depression.
I know we've done
$100 million in a year.
I know that we employ 12,000 people
and that we're a great institution-
None of which means a thing
unless we can make money.
I don't want to throw a couple
of thousand people out of jobs,
So instead of doing that, I'm
going to cut your salaries again.
Everybody, including myself,
Will take a 10% cut beginning next week.
Mr. Anderson, that's the
third cut we've taken.
It's too much.
All right. Try looking for
another job, then. You're through.
That suits me!
And now I want some ideas!
Sales ideas that'll sell goods.
If you can't sell goods,
you're going to have to get out.
When the bell sounds
at 5:30, everyone stops
As though that was
what they were paid for.
They're paid to work
- Not 8 hours a day,
But as long as there's
anything to be done.
Mr. Anderson, Mr. Anderson,
I have here a cablegram from
my cousin commodore Monroe
Addressed to all the
executives of the store.
I said I wanted some bright ideas.
Our biggest loss is in
the men's department,
Where we're doing 1/3 the
business we did a year ago.
Higgins, what ideas have you
for your men's department?
Ideas?
Didn't you ever hear of them?
Well, uh, I don't know as
there's very much to be said.
There's a depression,
And everybody's affected, everything.
Why, I should say the thing to do
would be to retrench, economize.
I have a letter from the bankers
interested in this business.
They say the same thing
- Retrench, economize.
In other words, sit down and do nothing.
What do we need you for, then, Higgins?
Why do I pay you $15,000 a
year? To retrench and economize?
That's expensive sitting.
I want ideas that are going to cost
money, that are going to make money.
How about a window-Display
contest? Ties, shoes, hats, suits.
A contest in putting
the things together-
The right shoes, the
right hats, the right ties.
Make them clothes-Conscious.
What do you say, Higgins?
Why, this is not a
little 6th avenue shop.
Instead of having bags and shoes
And hats and dresses
all on different floors,
Couldn't we have a small
section in my department
Where the customer could see
the bags and shoes and hats
And get them to match the gowns?
Do that right away!
I'll have to have a crew to
shift the department around.
Get a crew. Have them work
all night if necessary.
From commodore Monroe now,
Mr. Anderson?
Go ahead.
Ah! Ahem!
"To the executive heads of
the Monroe department store.
"In these times which try men's souls,
"I send you this message to remind you
"That the founder of the Monroe store
"Was a descendant of James
Monroe and Benjamin Franklin.
"The Monroe store
"Has a great tradition behind it.
"We must meet the
situation that faces us
With high faith and courage. "
From our yacht.
"We have touched bottom,
but it is an elastic bottom,
"A bottom from which we can rebound
To greater heights. "
I've got an idea! I've got a great idea!
Oh, I'm sorry. Now, what's the idea?
I begged your pardon! I
- Bottoms.
His saying "bottom" gave me the idea.
Men's shorts, men's underwear.
Wait. I'll give it to you right.
I was watching the tie sale downstairs.
Men's ties. Who bought them? Women!
All right. Let's sell
men's things to women.
What do you say, Higgins?
Well, I-I don't see anything in that.
Women buy men's ties, but what of it?
They don't buy anything else for men.
Yes, they do! Men's shorts!
Right next to men's ties.
Right next to the sale, and
they hadn't been selling a thing.
But today we made 46 sales, to
women! Men's drawers to women!
Rubbish! I don't think so.
Behind every woman's purchase
is the shadow of a man.
Here's my idea
- Use shorts as a leader.
Advertise it, or even
don't advertise it,
But move that department next
to the women's ready-To-Wear
So that women will have to pass it.
We'll try it without advertising.
We'll use it as a test
to see if we can sell
Men's drawers to women.
And if we can, we can
sell them men's anything.
What do you think, Higgins?
Fantastic. Not at all in line
With the policy of the
store, and I've been
30 years in the business.
Higgins, get out. You're through.
Not publicly like this.
Publicly or privately, you're through.
You're too old, too set.
You don't think. You don't
work. You just sit there
And obstruct and shake your head.
You think a thing can't be done
because it hasn't been done.
You're deadwood, Higgins. Get out.
And my 30 years in
this store isn't worth-
You've been paid for all
your 30 years, overpaid.
I'll give you a year's salary.
It's worth it to have you out.
But I'm not deadwood!
Get out!
Anderson, this is inhuman!
You can get out, too!
What, I? The associate
executive vice president-
I don't care who you are!
Get busy and shift those departments.
All of you, get back on the
job. Work all night if necessary!
Yes?
The men's lavatory on the fourth
floor is out of order again.
Well, well. A football.
This is just what my
Sammy wants. How much?
$3.50. They're genuine pigskin.
What kind of skin?
Pigskin.
What's the idea of
having a lot of old songs
Out in front like this? Take them back
to the counter and get some new stuff!
Yes, sir.
We'll see whether things
like this can be done.
My husband is the editor of a newspaper.
I'll have this spread all over the
front page. That's what I'll do.
What is it, madam?
Are you the head of this store?
Yes. What's the matter?
I'm Mrs. Lee Hickox. You understand?
Well, Mrs. Hickox?
This man arrested me. Me!
He accused me of stealing my own bag.
How did I know it was her bag?
It was laying on the counter. I
thought it belonged to the store.
I bought this bag a week ago
At Gormley's. You can verify that.
Where was the bag?
On the counter with the
brassieres. I was buying brassieres.
Do we keep handbags among
the brassieres, Sweeney?
Well, what was I to think?
I'll hire somebody to
tell you what to think.
I'm so sorry this happened, Mrs. Hickox.
So am I. It'll make interesting reading
In my husband's newspaper.
We don't like that sort of publicity.
Just what is it worth to you?
I beg your pardon?
As a token of our appreciation,
May I beg you to accept as a gift
Some article of
merchandise from the store?
Just go through the store
and let miss hall know-
This young lady here.
I don't need to go through the store.
I've always wanted a
concert grand piano.
Will you have it sent
or take it with you?
Sent.
Very well. Miss hall, take the address.
And do forgive us, Mrs. Hickox.
Of course. With pleasure.
That's very generous of you.
Good-Bye, Mrs. Hickox.
Good-Bye, Mr. Anderson.
We'll take $10 a week out
of your salary, Sweeney,
Till that piano is paid for,
And I'll give you the wholesale price.
$10 a week? Gee, it'll take me
The rest of my life, Mr. Anderson.
I doubt if you'll live
that long. Get out.
Eighth floor-Toys, sporting goods,
Radios, phonographs, luggage,
Rowing machines, punching bags,
Bathing suits, bathing
caps, sweatshirts, tents,
Ukuleles, riding habits,
And wood-Burning outfits.
Listen, beautiful, I've got two
swell seats for the follies tonight.
Want to go? Uh-Huh.
Dinner? Yeah.
Meet you at 6:00 at the
side entrance. All righty.
Hello, beautiful. Bad news.
Sweet, I can't make it. Oh, martin.
I gave Mr. Anderson an idea, and now
I've got to stay and help supervise it.
I should have kept my mouth shut
until the morning, but I didn't.
When Anderson gives
an order, that's that.
Here. Take these theater
tickets and take a girlfriend.
I said a girlfriend, now.
I don't want to go without you.
You know, someone ought
to strangle Kurt Anderson
And give us all a vacation.
Aw, now, no, you don't.
Honey, he's all right when
you know him. He's a swell guy.
He's swell till you know him.
So you know him, huh?
I know how hard and cruel he is.
Martin, he's dynamite.
Honey, when did this happen?
It's no secret. Everyone
is scared to death of him,
And so am I.
Aw, just because he's
the boss, that's all.
Maybe you'll be scared
of me, too, someday.
You're not my boss... yet.
I said someday.
Maybe.
Good night, honey.
See you in the morning.
I want half a size larger than this.
The last pair of shoes I bought here
Scuffed all out in the toes,
And I said to Mary- That's
my son's wife, you know-
I said to her just this morning,
"That child should be taught
To take better care of her shoes. "
I did the best I could
with them, Mr. West.
If that's the best you can do,
You'd better take up plumbing.
Look at that figure.
Look at this one! And this one.
You can't draw women, that's
what's the matter with you.
I put in two days' work on them.
They're as good as
any of the stores use.
That's not good enough.
Aren't you going to pay me something?
For what?
Mr. West, if you only knew
how I needed this money.
The only time I'll pay for
pictures is when I can use them.
Well, that's pretty tough, Mr. West.
I never thought you'd
treat me like that.
It's your own fault.
Hello? Is Mr. Gordon there?
That you, Gordon? Listen, I've got
to have a set of fashion drawings
By tomorrow afternoon.
Hop in a taxicab and
get over here right now.
All right. I'll wait for you.
That's the way to do it, my boy.
Gee, I hated to do that
to him. He's a nice fellow.
But he's a rotten artist.
Yes. I used to feel sorry for
them, too, but I don't anymore.
It's a tough game, and you've
got to be hard to beat it.
Yeah. I'm finding that out.
You know, I think I could
make something out of you.
I've been watching you for some time.
You've got ideas, you're young, and
I like the way you've been working.
Do you think you could
fill Higgins' job?
Me, your assistant?
Well, I don't see why not.
This has been pretty much of a one
man's job that I've been doing here.
I like you a lot, young fellow.
I think I could train you,
Harden you up to the point where
you could step into my shoes someday.
Would you like that?
Gee, Mr. Anderson, I
- I don't know what to say.
Well, don't say anything.
I want you to move up into that office
next to mine where I can have you with me.
I'll want you 24 hours of the day.
You like to work, don't you?
Yes, sir.
So do I. It's the only thing
in the world worth anything.
You'll find that out.
You're not married, are you?
No. No, I'm not.
Oh. Well, that's fine.
This is no job for a married man.
Where would I be with a
wife hanging around my neck?
Don't you... like women?
Sure, I like 'em, in their place,
But there's no time
for wives in this job.
Love 'em and leave 'em. Get me?
Yeah, I think I do.
All right, martin. You move in tomorrow,
And I'll show you what
it means to be a success.
Thank you, Mr. Anderson.
Say, what's the matter with you?
You haven't told me you're
delirious with joy or anything.
Something wrong?
No. Everything's great.
There is too something
the matter. What is it?
Say, listen, young lady, do you
realize who you're talking to?
Good gracious. Who?
Kurt Anderson's new assistant.
Oh, martin, no.
No kidding.
Well, I-
I think that's marvelous.
It's a big job. It means 24 hours a day.
See, Anderson wants me
with him all the time, and-
Yes, I see. You won't
have any time for me.
Honey, it
- It isn't that.
It just wouldn't be fair to
you to get married right now.
You're getting closer and
closer to that man all the time.
Oh, martin, don't get like
him. I couldn't stand it.
You mustn't let him
dominate your life, too.
What do you mean, "too"?
Well, I mean he's brutal.
He'll take everything you've
got and then throw you out.
Everybody hates him.
And now he's taking you away from me.
He's not taking me away.
Oh, yes, he is.
I thought we were going
to be married tonight.
Well...
we don't have to be
married tonight, do we?
Oh, listen, sweetheart,
I'm crazy about you.
Just let me get set in my job.
Listen, honey, you don't
know that guy like I do.
He's been swell to me.
Tonight he opened up a little.
He's running that
store alone, all alone.
He wants me to help him.
I can't let him down now.
Besides, we need the dough, don't we?
I guess you know what
you can do with that.
I'm getting off here.
Say, don't tell me this is a wedding.
No, no. That couldn't be.
Anderson didn't order it.
Look. There's the bride and groom.
Oh, gee, doesn't she look pretty?
Kind of.
Oh, they look so happy.
Why shouldn't they?
They've just been married.
Honey, how's your
heart? Is it all right?
No. It's jumping right out of my mouth.
Well, come on.
What do you mean?
Come on. We're going to do it.
Pardon me. Is the head man around?
He means the minister.
Oh. Just a moment, please.
Uh, pardon me. Could I-
Or, we- Ask you a favor?
Are you newspaper reporters?
No. We want to get married.
Married?
Yes. You know,
Like you did to those two
who just ran out of here.
But, my dear young man,
there are certain formalities.
Oh, we don't want any
formalities. We've got the license.
And everything seems all ready here.
I mean, all the decorations and you.
Oh, please.
Well, it's rather unusual...
but I'll do it, since you wish me to.
Oh, thank you.
If you will just stand here.
Oh, Swanson and Evans, I want
you to witness this marriage.
Oh, have you the ring?
Did you get the ring?
No. I told you to get it.
You got the license. Why
didn't you get the ring?
Use yours. Oh.
That's quite all right.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered
together here in the sight of god
And in the face of this company...
martin, I tried to get you last night.
Where do you keep yourself lately?
Well, you see, I moved
to a quiet little place-
Yes. Well, don't keep it a secret.
Give the number to miss
hall, and if you're going out,
I want you to leave
word where I can get you.
All right. I will.
Let me know how the
men's shorts are going.
And get that umbrella sale
started. It's raining outside.
Defective. Send them back.
Send them all back.
Yes, sir.
Ever since the day you
smashed my business.
You don't remember that, do you?
You taught me a lesson.
I thought there was
such a thing as honesty
And cooperation and sincerity
in the business world.
I found out differently.
It's men like you who
crush that succeed.
All right. I'm going to succeed, too.
I'm here learning more of your methods.
Then with what little
money I've got left,
I'm going to start my business again.
Then I'm going to be like you.
Trust nobody. Work my
people day and night
And then throw them out.
And someday, maybe I'll get the
chance to do the same to you.
Here.
$5,000.
Are you trying to buy me off?
No. I want a half-Interest
in any business you go into.
You've got the right
idea now. Take this check.
Get out of this store.
Get busy. I'm staking you.
I'll pick my own partners,
if you don't mind.
Have it your own way, Garfinkle.
I'm doubling your salary and
putting you on a bigger job.
Er, young lady,
Where's the basement?
On the 12th floor, madam.
You fresh thing!
Madeline!
Hello, darling. I had
to run up to see you.
How are you, anyhow?
How did you ever get
away from Kurt Anderson
Long enough to come up and see me?
He's out to lunch.
I hope he gets indigestion.
Oh, now, honey.
Close the curtains, martin.
Do you know what today is?
Sure.
Tuesday.
Oh, no, stupid.
This is our third anniversary.
We've been married 3 weeks today.
That's right.
Oh, martin, I don't get
to see half enough of you.
It's kind of tough sneaking
around like we were strangers.
Listen, honey, I'd like to tell the
gang here about us being married,
But I can't right now.
Our future depends on it.
Wait till I get a better
footing and a little money saved.
I'll tell Anderson
about us being married,
And he'll have to like it or else.
Who manufactures these toy dogs?
Stern's novelty company, jersey city.
Tell them we'll take them if they'll
take off the label "made in Germany"
And put on "made in
Japan. " It'll sell better.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Higgins is here again.
I don't want to see him.
He says he must see you.
He's been trying to
see you for two weeks.
That guy's getting in my hair.
Tell him to get out and stay out.
All right.
And call a meeting of the advertising
And merchandising
departments for 9:00 tonight.
Mr. Anderson, you can't do that tonight.
Who says I can't?
The grand ball of the
employees welfare association.
You've got to go, too. I
left a note on your desk.
Is that tonight?
Yes. And I bought a new dress.
Oh, don't make me work tonight, please.
Oh, you bought a new dress? Where?
Well, you see, I needed a-
Where did you buy it?
That little shop on sixth avenue.
Sixth avenue? What's the
matter with this store?
We even give you an employee's discount.
Well, they were selling
out, and it was cheap, and-
If my own employees won't buy here,
How can we expect anybody else to?
There are 12,000 of them.
Multiply your disloyalty by
12,000, and it means something.
Don't you realize we're
fighting for our lives here?
Can't I even spend my
money where I please?
Whose money? Who pays it to you?
You, I suppose.
To spend on sixth avenue? Not unless you
want to find yourself a job over there.
Oh, please, Mr. Anderson. I'm sorry.
I didn't realize.
I won't even wear it
tonight. I'll take it back.
No. Bring that dress in
here tomorrow morning.
I'll use it for a sample.
I'll show the head of
the women's department
What our employees are
buying on the outside,
And if she can't duplicate it
for less money, I'll fire her!
And that goes for every
department in this store.
Sixth avenue will think its
throat is cut when I get through.
I'll find out at the party tonight how
many dresses were bought on the outside.
Tell miss Sibley to look them
over and give me an estimate.
Yes, Mr. Anderson. I
hope you have a nice time.
Uh. Thanks.
Why don't you come back next week?
I'm sure he'll see you then.
Oh, there's no use.
There's no use.
Well, thank you again, miss
hall, for all your kindness,
And... good-Bye.
Pardon me. Where's the
lampshade department?
Why, 4 aisles down and
turn to your right, lady.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
How are the sales of men's
shorts to women going?
Great. 246 sales at 3:00.
Fine. We'll extend it to
shirts and socks next week.
Well, my boy, how do you like your job?
Swell.
You're just beginning.
Wait till you get your stride.
Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson!
What's the matter with you?
What is it, Sweeney?
Mr. Higgins jumped out
of a window on the 9th.
Higgins?
When?
Dead?
Yes, sir. They took the body
to Campbell's funeral parlor.
I found this on the windowsill.
Thanks. I'll look after it.
"To Mr. Arnold Higgins
From the employees of Franklin
Monroe & company, 1906."
When a man outlives his usefulness,
he ought to jump out of a window.
That's the trouble with most men.
They don't realize when they're through.
Higgins was through.
I'll be through someday.
I hope I find it out
before someone else does.
But-He's worked here for 30 years!
We'll send him a wreath.
And I'm in his shoes. I took his job.
I feel like it was my fault.
Listen, martin, forget Higgins.
This is war, understand?
War. He's just one of the casualties.
Was he... married?
Nope. Never had time.
All alone. No friends. No
job. Must have been awful.
I'm alone. I've always been alone. It's
the only way a man can get anywhere.
Friends can't help you. They're
too busy selling their own peanuts.
And a wife makes a slave of you.
I was alone when I took over this
store. I've fought it through alone.
It takes brains to do that.
Haven't you... any friends?
You and I get along
pretty well, don't we?
Sure, Mr. Anderson.
Call me Kurt.
All right, Kurt.
Haven't you ever loved anybody?
Sure. I could have
married a hundred women.
One would have been enough, wouldn't it?
But I didn't do it.
I was raised on a farm
- A poor little farm in Ohio.
I nearly fell for a girl back there,
but I was too poor to marry her.
If I had, I'd have been there yet.
Might have had a son about like you-
Brought into the world to
struggle in poverty, like I did.
But I ran away from it, and I've
smashed my way through to where I am now.
And I've got you for
a son, just the same.
Get the idea?
Yes, I get it.
All right. Now get out of
here and come back at 6:00.
Can't I meet you at
the party? You see, I-
6:00.
I don't know how long
I'm going to be able to
stand this, Mr. Anderson.
What's the matter with Ross?
All he wants to do
is play chess with me.
How do you stop a guy from doing that?
Try playing post office.
I'd much rather go back to the
department, if you don't mind.
I can't learn chess, and
I don't want to learn it.
There's nothing like a nice, snappy
game of chess to get you down.
Give him time, my dear. Give him time.
Won't you let me go?
Nope. You stay right where you are.
There won't be any chessboard
at the party tonight.
70 bucks a week for a chess player.
Do I have to be true to that guy?
Absolutely.
Ohh!
To the executive heads and employees
Of the Monroe department store,
I deeply regret that I'm unable
to be present this evening
To shake the hand of each
and every loyal employee
That has helped to make the
Monroe store a monument of success.
In these difficult times
which try men's souls,
I send you this message
to again remind you
That the founder of the Monroe store
Was a descendant of James
Monroe and Benjamin Franklin.
We have touched bottom,
But it is an elastic bottom,
A bottom from which we can
rebound to greater heights.
Signed, commodore Monroe.
You needn't have kept
me waiting for two hours,
Kurt Anderson or no Kurt Anderson.
I tried to get out of it, but
he wanted to talk business.
Sometimes I think you care
more for him than you do for me.
Darling, he insisted
I have dinner with him.
I couldn't tell him about
us, and I couldn't say no.
You seem to be able to
say no to me very nicely.
Yeah, I'm a heel. Just a heel.
I'm certainly glad we agree
on something this evening.
What'd you want to
marry a guy like me for?
I didn't want to marry a guy like you.
It was another guy I married,
but I never see him anymore.
Why, the only night I get a chance
to go out with him, he stands me up,
And simply because Kurt
Anderson asked him to.
Well, let me tell you something.
I'll try a little stepping
out, too. I've got friends.
Oh. Going to make me feel sorry, huh?
I thought I came here
to have a good time!
Don't let me stop you.
Ohh, all right.
If that's the way you feel about it.
That's adorable. You
look just like a monkey.
Ooh, look out. Fall off. Shh, shh.
Nope. You have to have
an organ for that one.
Nope. Can't use it. Let me see.
Oh! Just a big man's little hat.
Give me a kiss, darling. Give me a kiss.
Ohh!
You forgot something.
You look familiar.
I'd like to be.
How do you get that way?
Very pleasantly.
I haven't seen you for a long time.
Not long enough, thank you.
Well, now that we've
seen each other, good-Bye.
Are you afraid of me?
No. Certainly not.
I dare you to talk to me.
Well, what about?
We might find plenty to
talk about, if you'd try.
you're the flower
of
my heart
sweet Adeline
Ha ha ha!
Oh, we ought to go on the stage.
Oh, a little went up my nose.
I think we'd better have
another little drink.
Yep.
Yeah. For once, I agree with you.
I agree with you perfectly.
Oh, wait a minute! Maybe
I shouldn't have any more.
I feel kind of foggy.
Go ahead and get foggy.
You're among friends.
Can I depend on that?
Absolutely.
Oh, I don't care.
Everything's all wrong, anyway.
Maybe I'm wrong about you.
Maybe I'm wrong about everything.
Who knows? I don't know.
Oh, look at the pretty balloon.
Aah!
Ha ha ha!
Oh!
What's the idea?
How about another little drink?
No, no. No more. Come on. Pull me up.
Ohh. Oh.
Oh.
Ooh.
How do you feel?
I feel all right. How do you feel?
Would you like to take a little rest?
Rest?
Yeah. Go up to 1032.
It's reserved for me.
Just throw yourself down, and
when you feel better, come on back.
I'll wait right here.
Room 1032?
Yes. The door's open.
Go right in and make yourself at home.
Ok.
Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Uh?
You all know what time it is? 6:00.
Ohh.
6:00?
Yes, sir.
Ohh. Have you got any ice water?
I'll get you some.
Oh. Don't let anything stop you.
Yes, sir.
I'm on fire.
Going down?
Oh.
Good morning, Mr. Anderson.
Hi.
Well, how do you find
yourself this morning, my boy?
Ohh, I just looked under the table,
And there I was.
There are times for relaxation.
Last night was one of them.
I relaxed a little bit myself.
I hope you did as well as I did.
Oh, I did all right.
Well, pick yourself up, change
your clothes, and get on the job.
The party's over.
Yeah, but I gotta have an aspirin.
Forgive me, darling.
Forgive you?
I was pretty tight last night.
I made a fool of myself.
I guess I fell asleep
in the linoleum bar.
Anyhow, I was there when
I woke up this morning.
That's why I didn't
come home last night.
I'm sorry, darling.
Do you feel all right now?
Sure, I'm all right.
Who took you home?
Nobody.
I won't do it again. I'm sorry.
I just blew up, that's all.
I said a lot of things I didn't mean.
Oh, that's all right, martin.
Oh, you're marvelous.
Why don't you bawl me out a little?
You couldn't help it.
Oh, martin, tell me that you love me.
That's all I want.
More than anything else in the world.
Oh, it won't be long now, darling.
You can quit the store,
And we'll tell people we're married.
We'll have enough money to have a baby,
If we want one.
Oh, martin.
Madeline?
See you later.
Hello, Bradford. Have a seat.
I wrote you a letter, Mr. Anderson,
Telling you I had an important matter
I wanted to talk to you about.
You didn't seem to believe me.
I knew you'd come in here
if it was anything important.
I haven't got time to run over to
your office to talk about the weather.
It's not about the
weather, I assure you.
Well, let's have it, then.
I've spoken to Maclaine
of the first national bank
And bittle of the farmers
national, and my own bank, too.
Oh, we're worried, Anderson.
At a time like this, there
should be retrenchment,
Cutting down, not spending and
expanding, as you are doing.
You bankers make me sick.
You don't know how to
run your own business,
And you want to tell everyone
else how to run theirs.
I'm running this business.
On whose money, Anderson?
On the money that my brains and
labor have earned in profits,
That's whose money.
You're a banker, not a producer.
You haven't done a thing to
earn one penny of the profits
This business has paid into your pocket.
You couldn't go out and earn a nickel
In any business that required ideas.
All you have is dignity, and today,
you can't get a thin dime for it.
Now you listen to me, Anderson.
I won't listen to you. When I
want ideas, I won't come to you.
I'll communicate what you
said to the board of directors.
You'll probably hear from us.
I'm not interested in hearing from you.
You're not talking to some
scared little manufacturer.
It's not you who can let me down,
It's me who can let you down.
I know my stuff. You don't.
Anderson, within 24 hours,
There'll be a change in the
management of this business.
The board of directors
will meet in the morning.
Yes, sir?
Have Mr. Ross come in
here right away, please.
Yes, sir.
Well?
Listen, Ross, where's
Franklin Monroe's yacht?
Somewhere in the Mediterranean. Why?
He's got 40 votes on the board of
directors of this store, hasn't he?
Yes.
Enough to beat the bankers?
Yes.
Then I've got to have those votes.
I don't care how you get them,
Ross, I've got to have them.
Why, what has happened?
The board of directors
are meeting in the morning.
They're going to oust me and
take over the store themselves.
It means retrenchment, a thousand
employees thrown out of a job.
I've got to have those 40 votes by
10:00 in the morning to save this store.
Anderson... I don't like you.
That's mutual.
Nevertheless, as against
outside interests,
You are preferable.
Oh, I know what it means
if the bankers get in here.
I may disagree with you on
some points of management-
If you're trying to tell
me that within a year,
It means bankruptcy for the store,
you don't need to say it. I know it.
Very well. I'll cable my cousin at once.
I'll get him to let me
vote his 40 votes by proxy,
But it won't be easy.
Mr. Monroe doesn't like you, either.
All right. Give him a chance
at revenge. But get busy.
All right.
Complaints.
I asked you to come up
at closing time, didn't I?
This is closing time
As far as I'm concerned.
I was going to ask you to
come out with me tonight-
A nice little dinner in my
apartment. What do you say?
What is it
- Conscience?
Why do you want me?
I haven't any feeling for you.
I don't even hate you. I wish I could.
There's just no feeling at all.
Like someone you pick
up on the streets-
That what's I feel like.
Why don't you leave me alone?
Because you're an attractive woman-
One of the most
attractive I've ever seen.
There's something in us right
now that pulls us together.
We haven't anything to say about it.
If I just lay my hand on you now-
Don't touch me!
You may not come to me
tonight or tomorrow night,
But you'll come. You can't help it.
No, I won't! Yes, you will!
Furthermore, I've had a
look at your sales record.
It's pretty good
- Good enough to make
An assistant buyer of
you at a bigger salary
If you'll just keep your
head and work with me.
Don't you understand?
That's not what I want.
What do you want me to do-Marry you?
Bunk! When you dames get your
claws on a man, you don't let him go
Till you've dragged him to
some altar and ruined his life!
All you're looking for is a soft place
to park for the rest of your life!
The only thing I've ever asked
you for is to be let alone!
That's all I want, and as for
marrying you, you're safe there, too.
I'm married, and I love my husband.
What I do with my life doesn't matter,
But I won't make a mess out of martin's!
Martin? You mean martin west?
Yes. Yes. Now you know.
Why didn't he tell me?
I love martin, Mr. Anderson-
More than anything else in the world.
You must help me protect him.
I didn't mean to tell you about
our marriage. He wanted to do that.
Don't tell him you know, will
you? You owe me that much.
I'll take care of it.
Yes.
Tell miss dale to come in here!
I've got a new job for you. Doing what?
You know young west? Sure.
He's tangled up with a woman.
You think he'll live?
I want him back, do you understand?
I want him. I want you to break
that thing up and deliver him to me.
I'll fix you up a date with
martin. He might just fall for you.
Who's the competition?
A girl named Madeline in
the women's department.
Madeline?
Yes. The young fool
ran off and married her.
And you want me to put
him back in circulation?
Exactly.
Well, the answer is no.
Huh? I said no.
$150 a week if you can
get him to look at you.
I'm not interested.
You've got a price. What is it?
There are some things I won't
do, and that's one of them.
When did you develop principles?
Oh, I saved a couple out of the crash.
Listen, I've made something
of that boy. I need him.
I'm giving him the
opportunity of his life,
And he's throwing it away on a woman!
You want to save him from loving
a swell girl like Madeline,
And you don't care what becomes of
her, as long as you get your martin!
Say, why don't you keep your nose
Out of other people's lives
before somebody smacks you down?
You let those two alone!
You're through! You get your
last salary saturday night.
Not as long as I can play chess.
Yes?
The men's lavatory on the fourth
floor is out of order again.
I have cabled every Mediterranean port.
I sent radio messages
to locate that yacht.
Miss hall, get western union on
the telephone. Get postal, too.
Yes, sir.
The board of directors meets at 10:00.
We've got to have those proxies, Ross!
Well, I'm keeping the wires open.
I spent the night trying to think
up some scheme to do our own banking
And tell them all to go to the devil.
Haven't you been to bed at all?
No. Too much sleep
makes a man's brain dull.
That's why your brain's dull.
You sleep 9 hours on one of
our double-Jointed springs.
Yes.
What's the report?
Western union has received
nothing. I'm getting postal.
All right, keep after them.
Yes, sir.
Well, what's the matter with you, Ross?
Oh, uh, nothing, nothing.
I
- I'm beginning to appreciate you, perhaps.
You don't know when
you are licked, do you?
Beginning to like me, huh?
I despise you for that, Ross.
What time is it?
16 minutes past 9:00.
44 minutes left, huh?
Well, it's all up to
little Franklin Monroe.
King Monroe. Ha ha! The handshaker.
Funny world, Ross. Look at us-
A couple of numskulls struggling to
keep this store from cracking to pieces.
We must be a little mad, aren't we?
If we were sane, we wouldn't
be able to stand it, would we?
You-You mean, uh...
we all do insane things once in a while?
Yes, I-I suppose you are right.
Oh, uh, and listen.
Can I ask you for some advice?
What about?
A woman.
A woman? You?
Yes.
Yes, yes, it's one
of those insane things
We all do.
Well, you know how it is.
See, she's blackmailing me.
Yes. I'm caught like a rat in a trap.
I'll be ruined. Franklin
Monroe might hear of it.
Anderson, you know all about women.
What am I to do?
Why don't you kill her?
Huh?
Yes.
Anything from postal?
No.
If you don't, she'll
probably kill you someday.
Does she carry a gun in her purse?
I don't know. Do you think she might?
She might do anything.
Oh, heavens, I-
Go ahead! Kill her and be done with it.
No. No.
I'll marry her first.
Kurt, I've got an idea.
I want to get 10 beautiful
park avenue debutantes.
Not to sell women's
clothes-That's our best department.
I want to put them in oriental rugs. We're
taking it on the chin in that department!
Debutantes selling oriental rugs?
Sure! The commission on
the sales goes to charity.
The debutantes are
supporting a bread line.
We'll support the bread
line if they sell rugs.
Do that right away. Oh, by the way...
there's going to be
plenty of night work.
I was just wondering whether
it wouldn't be a good idea
If you moved over to my hotel.
I'll get a couple of
rooms next to mine for you.
I'd like to have you a
little more available.
Uh, I'm sorry, Kurt. I...
I don't
- I don't think
It would work out so well.
Why not?
Well, I...
I'm married.
Uh-Huh.
I should have told you
A long time ago, I
suppose. Sorry I didn't.
I hope it won't make any difference.
Kurt, she won't interfere.
She won't? She has.
I ask you to come and live with me
So we can be together and plan and work,
But you can't do it because
you've got to run home to a woman,
And that's only the beginning.
She's hogtied you, my boy.
You won't be able to
think straight pretty soon.
But, Mr. Anderson, she's a swell kid.
You'd like her if you knew
her. She works here, too.
All I hoped for is in you.
I want you to stick to me
- Me, you understand?
Let this woman go.
What?
Sure. Turn her loose. A
little money will do the trick.
That's all any of them want.
Why, you-You don't know
what you're talking about!
I don't, eh? I've got rid
of plenty of them that way.
What do they care what man it is,
So long as they tie him
down for a life contract?
Don't be a sucker, martin.
You can't talk about
my wife like that, Kurt.
She's no different
from the rest of them.
I ought to slam you
in the nose for that.
Well, why don't you
do it? Are you yellow?
Yes.
Get western union and postal again.
Tell that girl Madeline waters
To drop what she's doing
and come up here right away.
Yes, sir.
Listen, you think I don't
know what I'm talking about.
I'm going to show you that I do.
I want you to sit right
here and get an earful.
Yes.
Has that girl come up yet
- The one I sent for?
Yes. She's here now.
All right, send her in and
keep after western union.
I'm getting them.
Come in, Mrs. West.
I just had a talk with martin about you.
Well, I don't think
There's anything more to
discuss about me. I'm leaving.
You're a nice girl.
I've nothing against you...
personally...
but you're interfering with
martin's career and with his life.
How much is that marriage
license worth to you?
What do you mean? Are
you offering me money?
Yes, to let martin go.
Listen, when martin
goes, he goes with me.
I'm leaving this store today,
And I want my husband to
get away from here, too,
You women think an affair with you
Is the most important thing
in the world, don't you?
A man's work and his success is!
That's not true. It's I. It's martin.
We're the most important things.
Please discharge him, do you hear?
I don't want him to get like you.
Oh, you've changed your
mind about me, haven't you?
I was all right for you the
first night I met you, wasn't I?
I was all right for you the
night of the party, wasn't I?
Let me see. I think you were married
to martin at that time, weren't you?
And that's what you call love.
You women make me sick.
Come on, come on! How much?
Would you kindly direct me to
the ladies' millinery department?
I don't work here.
Oh, I beg your pardon.
Step aside, people. Please move back.
Please move back.
What's happened?
One of the girls fainted.
It's nothing at all. They've
taken her to first aid.
Who is she?
Is it Madeline?
Come on, tell me!
Yes, it is. She's
- She's taken poison.
But they've taken her to first aid.
Don't worry, martin. She'll be
all right. I'm sure she will.
Yes.
Anything from western union?
No, sir.
I want to see you alone.
All right.
Well?
You see this?
Madeline took it!
They've taken her to the hospital.
You know what I'm going to do?
I'm going to pour this down your throat.
I'm going to pour this down your throat!
Here.
You might have a little trouble
pouring that stuff down my throat.
Go ahead, use it!
You think I won't?
Well?
I'm sorry, Anderson.
I'm afraid we're licked.
Thanks.
All right, go ahead, and don't miss.
I told you you were yellow!
You can't even shoot straight, can you?
Mr. Anderson, what happened?
Nothing, nothing.
I thought I heard a shot.
What do you people want in
here? Get out, all of you!
But there was a shot.
Do I look shot? Get out!
Yes, sir.
How's that girl who took poison?
Oh, she's fine. She'll get better.
You hear that? She's going to live.
I wish I'd killed you.
Sure, that's the spirit.
What did you want to save me for?
I don't want to be saved-Not by you!
You're not going to be saved
by me. You're not worth it.
I thought for a while I
could make something of you,
But I've changed my mind. You're yellow.
If not being the kind of a man you are
Is being yellow, then yes, I'm yellow!
If I had to be like you to be a
success, then I don't want success!
I'm going to take my wife out of here
- Out of this hole, out of this town!
I don't want to see this store again
As long as I live
- Or you, either!
Yes.
Tell western union and
postal to forget it.
Yes, sir.
Here you are, pal.
Mud in your eye.
Hair off your head.
Boy. Hmm!
Well, maybe after all,
You're the only kind of
woman a man should have.
Are you just finding that out?
How'd you like to go
to Paris, the Riviera?
With you?
Yeah.
Oh, stop. You're
killing me. Would I? Oh!
Well, why not? I'm all washed up here.
I don't have to sit
at this desk anymore.
I don't have to run this store.
Let it crack! I don't care.
We'll go to Europe and play.
I've never really played.
Maybe I've been missing something.
When I get tired, I'll pay
you off. That all right?
When do we start?
The first boat out. Oh!
Love.
We don't need love, do we?
No.
Oh, it's a lot of hooey.
Martin fell in love, and
the girl turned to me.
Go down and order yourself
A lot of clothes
- Anything you want.
Charge it to my account.
Darling, oh!
Anderson, I-
What are you doing with that hussy?
I'm saving you from blackmail.
Then there's good news for both of us!
I just got a cable from my cousin.
I'm voting his proxies for you.
What time is it? 7 minutes to 10:00!
We've just got time to
make it, then. Come on!
Let her go.
Well, these are the times
That try men's souls, Anderson.
Experiences like this
pull men close together.
Well, too close for me.
What is that stuff the barber
sprays you with-Vanilla?
Anderson, have you no gratitude?
Bah!
You've all heard the motion-
Oust Anderson and take over
The full management of the store.
As Mr. Monroe is absent
And his party votes are
not represented by proxy,
We will mark his shares not voting.
All in favor will signify
in the usual manner.
One moment, gentlemen!
Just one moment, please!
There.
By the authority of that cablegram,
I cast 40 votes to retain Mr. Anderson
In supreme command of
Franklin Monroe & co.
Sorry to have kept
you waiting, gentlemen.
You win, Anderson.
Where's the report on that
dress sale? Are you asleep?
Oh. Have Garfinkle's name
Put on the office door next to mine.
What for?
You're my new assistant.
Who said I wanted to be?
I said so. I broke you once,
And now I'm going to make you. Get out!
Thanks. If I get the chance,
I'm going to break you.
Congratulations, Anderson.
Get out!
Ha ha! You are the limit.
I'm ready. What about you?
Ready for what?
Paris and the Riviera.
Never heard of them. But you said-
I don't remember what I said.
Get out of here and stay out.
And tell Stephenson I want him.
How's the dress sale?
Give me the figures.
Yes, sir.
Then you mean we're not going?
No. I'm busy!
Oh!
And by the way... take off those clothes
And give them back to
the women's department.
Ooh! I hope you choke!
Yes.
Men's lavatory on the fourth
floor is out of order again.
Take it out and use it for a storeroom.
Yes, sir.
How do you feel, honey... better?
Oh, honey, I love you...
more than ever.
We're going to start all over again.
It's been done before.