Original subtitles

Under the Bridges

Hello, "Ente!" Ready to be towed? - Yes, all clear!

Hello "Ingeborg!" Ready to be towed? - All clear!

Hello, "Lieselotte!"

Ready to be towed? - Yes... Hendrik's still ashore.

He'll be right back. Fresh bread rolls...

Either Hendrik's not on board, or you're not on board.

A boatman needs what a boatman needs.

I'm a boatman. You knew that.

Well, I gotta get going.

Take care, Marie.

Karl, why don't you take me aboard? Why don't we get married? - Naw.

Why not? I'm as good as anyone.

Nothing against you, but sometimes you call me Hendrik, sometimes Karl.

The name's Hendrik. Bye.

On the bridge, too lee doo

The girls walk fro and to

Light and dark, big and small

Who is the prettiest of them all?

The thin ones with blond hair During the day make a fine pair

But the brunettes, a hot delight Kiss so well in the twilight

And the redheads, sultry and round Are the best when you're homebound!

Oh, God, yes...

On the bridge, too lee doo

The girls walk fro and to

Round and thin, light and heavy

If only one were mine!

Ash blond, a morsel fine Love only when the moon does shine.

But gentle ones bronzed brown Trust only in the morning round

And all the rest who'll be mine I'll have them at any time!

Oh, God, yes...

You see, my boy, now you know

Nothing lasts forever, no

On the bridge, too lee doo

The girls walk fro and to

What does he think he's doing? The idiot! I tell you!

When you do see a pretty girl, she's always up on a bridge.

You can't tie up, 'cause you're on the tug line.

Maybe she wouldn't call a guy Karl when his name's Hendrik.

You coulda told me sooner.

Hendrik!

Hey, Marie! Whatcha lookin' at?

Did you see that? You bastard! You dog!

Come on up here! Dang blast it!

I'd smack that guy one for spitting on the barge.

No, no... It's no life... Always on the tug line.

Hendrik, listen.

We both own equal parts of the barge.

So I reckon I'd have to tell you

if a woman came aboard.

Yeah, I thought about that, too.

But how are you gonna get her off in the morning without anybody seeing?

It gets light so early now. - She won't have to get off.

She can stay here. I want to get married.

Hendrik, this is no way to live.

Chasing every skirt. Staring up at the ones on the bridges.

I want to get it out of my head.

I'm going to marry. - Who?

The one in Brandenburg. She's pretty, and real cheeky.

Black hair. And she has a great walk.

Aha! - No, nothing like that.

One kiss, nothing else. - Just one kiss? Nothing else?

I know one like that, too. - If you know one, then go for it!

There's room here. You two in the cabin, us two in the bow

Sounds good to me.

I'll introduce her to you tonight.

You'll introduce her to me tonight.

Here we are!

Hi, Vera. - Good day, Sir.

Oh my goodness, I didn't recognise you!

Last time you had a boatman's cap on. I can't stand them.

Nice of you to remember.

You still have tar on your fingers. - A tiny bit under my thumbnail.

But, well... If I'm not fancy enough for you...

I'm thinking about getting married. - Oh?

- To whom?

Say, Vera... Do you even remember my name?

What kind of a girl do you think I am ... Hendrik?

One beer...

Why don't you give me a whole case? It'll be cheaper for me.

I'm not much on beer. - Then order something else.

Come aboard tonight. - What kind of a girl do you think I am?

No, not like that! I mean really married!

Um...

My boss. I gotta get a move on, Willi.

Cognac? - No, something sweet. Orange liquor.

Orange liquor. Right away!

Tell me, are you seeing both of those gentlemen?

What kind of a girl do you think I am? - I think you know what you want.

You want me. - The gentlemen are not too bad either.

Your liquor. - But I didn't order anything.

Right. You drink beer.

Well?

Bring me a beer. - Right away, Sir.

But, Vera! Don't call me 'sir. ' Just call me Hendrik.

Funny way to propose to me.

Me? I didn't propose!

You gotta be careful about that.

So many things to think about when you get married.

I'll bring your beer, Hendrik.

Your liquor, Willi. - Well, Vera? Did you think about it?

I need time. There are so many things to think about.

Yes, I understand. Don't hurry yourself. I have time.

Thank you, Willi.

Hi, Hendrik! Don't have a seat... - Say...

Where's your boatman's cap? - Why do you ask?

Your hat?

And my hat.

I will definitely think about it.

Not that we have anything against you. - No...

5 marks 20. Keep the change.

Take care.

You are seeing those two. Are you in love?

What kind of a girl do you think I am ... Muhlke?

You see, my boy, now you know

Nothing lasts forever

On the bridges, too lee doo

The girls walk fro and to...

Hey, Vera. Shake hands.

Good Vera. - Why Vera?

To remind us that Vera was just an old goose.

How are we supposed to know if one is a goose or not?

We never have the time.

We'll never have the time as long as we're on the tug line.

If you're always in a rush, you never get to know a girl.

We slaved away for eleven years to get a barge on the tug line,

now we're stuck here and we'll never get off.

No, it's no way to live.

Vera's got it good, right?

Say "Quack, quack," Vera!

What is it? Have you lost your marbles?

No! Nonsense! A motor. A diesel motor!

That's the solution! Then we don't need a tug.

Then we can tie up where we want. Then we'd have time.

Yes...

But there's a catch. - Sure, a diesel costs 15,000 marks.

20 with installation.

Minus 10 percent... 7, 14, 17... 20,000, just like you said.

We'll be in Berlin tomorrow at 3. I'll go over to Sell & Reeser.

If they give us a loan, and we pinch every penny,

then in eight years, we'll have a motor! - Done.

A motor's only worth it if you carry express freight. - Sure, express.

Express freight is the same deal. Then we're always in a hurry again.

Darn it...

And here we are half the night doing arithmetic. - You and arithmetic...

I'm going up again, then I'm going to sleep. - Willi...

What's more important to you, a girl like that or the barge?

Barge. You know where you stand. - There you go.

So we'll just do a quick eight years of hard labour.

Come here. - What is it? - A girl.

Pretty? Where?

On the Glienicker Bridge. Come here!

She wants to jump.

Get the boat ready.

Look, she threw something in.

10 marks. Do you get it?

There, at the bus stop. - Must be her. Wait here.

Miss, excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt,

but it's no use waiting. The last bus has left already.

Thank you.

Don't worry about it. It's better than never seeing another bus again.

Yes, I saw everything. Down there, from the barge.

She wanted to jump. - Maybe she still does. - How stupid!

Wait.

I always have to wait?

I pulled a body out of the river once. It was pretty awful.

You look pretty nice. - Leave me alone.

You gonna think of another way to die? Was the water too cold?

It's not true. I didn't want to jump.

Oh, you just came around to get rid of your money? - Yes.

Here's the money.

Should I throw it away? - Leave me alone!

I'll scream if you don't. - Now hold on, hold on.

If you want something from me, I'm down on the "Lieselotte. "

Come on, Willi. - I wanted to see her, too.

She looks like every other one. It's time to hit the bunks.

What's up with Vera? - Huh? No idea.

Did you pull in the plank? - Me? What about the plank?

Something wrong? - No, stay where you are.

You hanging around the waterfront? - I'm not hanging around.

Why don't you go home? - There's no more trains to Berlin.

Why come all the way to Potsdam? There's bridges in Berlin, too.

You're a mean person. - I just have a clear head.

Give me the money back. - You don't know what you want.

I do. I have to rent a room.

I didn't think of it before. - You have to come and get it.

I'm in my socks.

It's a half hour's walk to Potsdam. Do you know the way?

I'll have to find it.

I guess I'll have to take you.

You're a poor little thing. - I'm not poor.

Oh, right. You can't be poor if you go around throwing money away.

None of my business.

So what's your name? - Anna Altmann. - Anna?

I got a sister called Anna. My name's Hendrik Feldkamp.

I'm not a mean person. - I'm sorry I said it.

Why should I get dressed to take you to a hotel?

You can come down to our cabin. My partner and I will take the bow.

No, I'll find a hotel. Thank you.

It's no problem! You can pay.

You can ride with us into Berlin in the morning.

Just like being a ferry passenger.

We're no cannibals, just bargees. - How much should I pay?

Room, board, the trip...

All together...

10 marks?

Is it a deal?

What kind of life must she have to want to throw it away?

Send her off if you think something's wrong with her.

It's my dopey good nature.

We're too good-natured. I wouldn't have even wanted any money.

You're a bigger dope than I am. - Good-natured.

The 10 marks go towards the motor. Every bit counts.

Willi?

Why aren't you in your bunk? - There's no key. - Where?

On the door. - Never was one.

Don't worry. I took in the plank. No one'll come on board.

Good night. Night

Gave you a fright, eh? Yes

It was just a frog. You see?

There he goes.

There are so many noises here. - Yep, there's a lot of noises here.

D'you hear?

There...

That's the wind in the reeds.

And that?

Do you hear it?

That's the water on the hull.

And here...

The ropes rubbing on the bollards.

Put your ear up to it.

Do you hear?

But those aren't noises.

It's nice music to fall asleep to.

Yes. If you know what it is. - Yes.

And once you get to know it, you can't get along without it.

When I have to sleep on land,

I start listening for something. I don't know what's missing,

until I remember.

I heard that in the cabin. - You hear it best there.

It's the helm.

Come here. The steering gear creaks.

It's the heart of the barge.

As long as the heart keeps beating, the barge will be alright.

You're really attached to your ship. - It's my home.

Is Berlin your home? - No, not my home.

Just a furnished flat. My family lives in Silesia, near G�rlitz.

I've been in Berlin six months. - I see.

Yes, I'm all alone in Berlin.

Please don't think that you're a burden to us.

It's something new, a woman on board. Never was one before.

You're the first. - Thanks. I mean...

If I'm not a burden to you, it's more comfortable.

You go to sleep now. If you listen, you won't hear any noises,

just nice music.

Right?

Good night. - Good night.

Hello, "Ente!" Ready to be towed? - Yes, all clear!

Hello, "Ingeborg!" Ready to be towed? - All clear!

Hello, "Lieselotte!"

Ahoy! - You guys ready to be towed?

Hendrik isn't on board. I was asleep when he left. He went...

...to get bread rolls!

That can't be!

Since when do you have a girl in Potsdam?

Why can't I really want fresh rolls for once? We're all clear!

Come on. Lend a hand.

If she's paying, we can at least give her breakfast.

Yes, that's right.

Ahoy! You sure slept in. It's 10 o'clock. Did you sleep...

...well?

I want to get off now.

I made coffee for you. Forgive me for sleeping so long.

Please stop the barge. - Stop? - I'll pay the whole trip.

Why? Don't you like it with us?

No.

I see.

You should've thought of that sooner.

I like it here. I really like it here, in fact.

I wouldn't trade with anybody.

The paint job alone! Imagine how much work that was.

I had to scrape it seven times. Now it looks like ivy.

Almost... like real ivy. There's ivy like that, really small.

Believe you me. No one's cabin is as tip top as ours.

Do you live in a mansion? - Strange men don't come into my room.

I thought you were asleep? - Your hat was there. Now you have it.

Oh well... Anyway, you can't stop the tug line when it's moving.

You can wait till we're in Berlin. You won't drink more than two cups.

No cheese for breakfast.

Cherry jam. Whole fruits, no stones.

Put it back in the corner afterwards, or Willi will finish it off.

If you don't like my ivy and my hearts,

then just don't look at them.

You ate all the jam. What will your friend say?

He won't notice.

You're so different. I trusted you right away. - That's me.

It's my character. Good-natured, you know?

But the stories I could tell about him! - Really?

Well, um ...

I really do like him. We get along great.

He could have knocked. But he was too excited. - Why?

We didn't hear from you all morning. We thought you'd...

...jumped. He wanted to see if you were still aboard.

He's like that.

He needs his hat. He doesn't care how I walk around.

But otherwise, he's great. - Please, you...

You don't need to worry about me. It's not like you think.

So how is it then?

If you don't want to tell me... But I thought you trusted me.

What's that? - Bridge.

It's... It's because of that.

The hearts? - No. - Ivy?

My goodness, no... The painting. I was...

I want to tell you, but I can't. I can't tell anyone.

Maybe you'll tell us later.

So this is our Vera. Just a goose, but still...

Shake hands, Vera. C'mon. Shake hands.

She did it! - Sure. Getting nice and fat, too.

Want to hold her? - No. - She won't hurt you.

C'mon, give the lady a kiss. You have to go like this.

She did it! - Of course. Vera kisses everybody.

You can take her. She's tame.

Can I show him? - Sure you can.

Maybe he'll cheer up then.

Look what she does. She shakes my hand and kisses me.

Yeah, I taught her. Watch this.

She plays with my pipe. Vera!

What a great goose.

She likes it with us here.

I like your ivy and hearts, too. And the barge.

She's like a person. - She's just doing it to keep out of the oven.

Hendrik is right. It's not natural.

Willi, take the helm, okay? Vera's coming with Daddy.

There. Berlin!

Your friend says to come up. We're almost there. - Yes.

What's that smell?

When the cook won't let anyone into kitchen, there's something good.

You have to eat something before we get to Berlin. It's like Sunday.

You know. Never had a woman aboard. - Yes, thank you...

Let's keep her on board, since she's here anyway.

If she stays, we can find out if she's right for a barge.

And she can find out if she likes me or you better.

What about that thing on the bridge? - She'll have to explain it to us.

We don't want to buy a pig in a poke.

And how are you going to tell her? - Why me? You!

You're better at feelings and stuff.

If I do it with feeling, then there's a commitment.

But we have to be able to change our minds. No, not me.

If that's how it is, we could've kept Vera until Martinsmas.

Here we are then. - Great. I'm starved.

You're hungry, too. Miss? - Yes...

Like butter.

A leg for me, too. Shake hands, Vera!

Just potatoes and gravy, please.

Why teach a goose tricks if you can't taste the difference?

That was silly of me. Geese are for eating.

You're really chewing on her. Is she tough?

Like I said, as tender as butter.

How can a guy eat when everyone's staring at him?

Hendrik has something to tell you.

Not in the mood. - Then I will.

We're taking a load to Rotterdam, and we'll be away for 2 or 3 months.

Sit still!

Rotterdam. Right, Hendrik?

2 or 3 months is a long time. You can figure out

if you... like one of us.

You can stay aboard. For free. I'll sort it out with Hendrik.

But we need to know where we stand with you.

You hear all kinds of things...

Did you really earn that 10 marks?

I know you didn't steal them.

Excuse me, he said it all wrong.

I'm sorry if it was wrong. I should've been more subtle.

He's better at that.

It's not your fault. You wouldn't have killed the goose.

Farewell.

Your stupid goose is to blame. That's all.

Hey, your purse!

Thanks.

I didn't steal that money. I earned it... as a model.

Look how small she is. Our cabin's small, too. She'd fit right in.

Did you ask where she lives? - We're on the tug in three days.

That's another thing about a motor... No more rocks!

Then we'll only carry the best. - And we'll hire stevedores!

We'll stand on deck and say, "Come on! This is express freight!"

When we cruise down the Havel and leave the others behind,

we'll know we have it made. Where are you going?

To Sell & Reeser. About the motor. - Hendrik...

Are you really going to Sell & Reeser? - Where do you think I'm going?

She's a model. - What's that?

She takes off her clothes for money. - Are you crazy?

Then they paint her, and hang it in a museum.

We're too good-natured. - Take care.

She gets upset if someone sees her sleeping.

Even if she's covered by blankets.

Then my mistake wasn't so bad. But you didn't even get her address!

Yes, I'm coming.

Evening.

I was just passing by and...

I thought to myself, "Go on upstairs

and ask her how she is. "

How did you know where I live? - I looked in your bag.

Your address was there. - Why didn't you just ask?

Would you have told me? - No. - You see?

We're leaving the day after tomorrow. I wanted to apologise for Willi.

You knew what he wanted to say. You wanted to say it yourself.

Yes, but he forgot something. He should have said it, too:

That we never have time to really get to know someone.

And that sometimes,

we feel very lonely on our barge.

Yeah. And since you seemed a bit lonely to us, too,

we thought you'd understand us.

Are we just going to stand here?

Nice place you have here. - It's usually more tidy,

but not right now. I have the evenings off this week.

You do it evenings, too?

Yes. It can be quite tiring, standing around all the time.

I'm sure you haven't eaten. - No, but... - It's almost ready.

Cornflowers. Since you're from the country.

You have noises here, too.

Yes...

Wait!

Chops, butter, rolls,

herring salad. Enough for two.

You think you can always get your way. - No.

The barge always gets its way. She's back on the tug in two days.

I can't always be eating your things. I want to make something, too.

Do you like potato pancakes? - Potato pancakes? Great!

Again.

Please do it again. - I can't keep turning it!

I got it. Which hand, left or right? - Doesn't matter.

Damn it! - Not on here.

I couldn't do it at first either.

But when you do it 8 hours a day, you get the hang of it.

What? You make potato pancakes 8 hours every day?

Yes, at Jaenicke's, the potato pancake bar.

Do you know it? On Jannowitz Bridge.

So you're not a... model?

Making potato pancakes! That's a good job!

Bargee's not much better. Gee, that's funny!

We bring tons of potatoes into Berlin all the time...

To think you made potato pancakes out of some of them...

I didn't lie. I earned the ten marks as a model.

Oh?

Maybe it was just a small picture, with lots of nature and things.

I mean, with trees.

I only went once.

Then it can never be finished? Never go in a museum?

In a museum? No, why? In a museum?

Alright, now I gotta...

Now I gotta play for you. - What's on your hand?

Not much. Just tar. It won't wash off.

Sure it will.

Just a little more. - It wasn't much more to begin with. - Oh, yes it was!

Don't stiffen your fingers.

There.

You have to sit still now.

Now you're stiffening your fingers again.

You can't just blow at me! - Sorry, but...

I had to blow. The curl.

I won't do it again.

I didn't blow.

Your nails are clean. Don't scrape them with your knife.

Do I have to leave now? - No.

Only when we turn the lights on.

The sun said, "Moosh moosh" As we lay in the sand

The waves said, "Moosh moosh" And kissed your hand

The waves said, "Moosh moosh"

And kissed your hand

The South Wind said, "Moosh moosh" And tousled your hair

A steamer growled, "Moosh moosh" And sailed to Zanzibar

A steamer growled, "Moosh moosh"

And sailed to Zanzibar

The big steamers: "Moosh moosh" And everything else did too

Growled and muttered, "Moosh moosh" So in love with you

Growled and muttered, "Moosh moosh" So in love with you

And so in love with you

I can't see anything. - If you turn the lights on, it won't be the same.

No.

Good evening. - Good evening. Come in.

It's a bit late. You have to go to Sell & Reeser.

Hendrik thinks I'm disturbing.

He didn't tell me your address. - And where did you find it?

In my purse, right? - No, I wouldn't do that.

I got it from Hendrik's jacket.

Ask him. Your address, and a painter's, on a piece of paper.

Max Braun. Isn't that right, Hendrik?

Good job.

How dare you go through my purse?

Why are you so upset? - You should mind your own business.

A man who drives a girl so far is my business. - It's nobody's fault!

I don't want to be reminded. What business is it of yours?

Willi reminded you. - You could have opened your yap.

Mouth! - Now leave! Both of you!

We're leaving. May I write you? - No.

You don't have to answer. - Nonsense!

There's no point in writing if there's no answer.

I'm alright without an answer. It's none of your business.

As long as you go through my pockets, I'll say when you're being a fool!

Can't you see that you're imposing?

Tell him I'm not imposing!

I should never have come on the barge.

Don't get upset. We wanted you to like it on the barge.

You paid for everything. You don't even have to thank us.

I would've been cheaper if I'd taken the ferry.

Much cheaper. - The ferry!

Don't worry. I'm not going to that painter...

Otherwise I'd wring his neck. 'Night.

Maybe I really am imposing myself on you.

If you write, I'll answer for sure.

Just a few words on a postcard.

Yes. How you're doing. You and your friend.

He can write for himself. - No, you shouldn't fight.

Not a fight. I'm just mad at him. I get along with everybody.

The two of us have never fought. - No.

I'll write to you when we're away. At least every 14 days.

Good night.

Have a good trip.

Thank,.

Ferry!

We said one takes the cabin,

and the other moves up to the bow.

I see...

You mean you couldn't stand it if I brought her aboard.

One of us has to leave the barge.

And who?

That's simple.

The one who gets her.

At least the other one has the barge. Or is that too good-natured?

You've got it all figured out. - No, not figured out...

Decency. We're friends, aren't we?

Or could you bear it if I brought her aboard?

Yes. He'd have to leave the barge.

Willi!

That's unheard of. They didn't even clean up after unloading!

Darn it!

Would you like something? - Yes. - What?

Does a painter live here? - Lots of painters.

Which one do you want? - Max Braun. - What for?

It's... business, you see?

Come in.

Navy, right? - No, why? - Your cap.

Naw, I'm a bargee.

Oh my goodness! Of course! Silly me.

Go on in. Herr Braun is out buying cigarettes.

Thls is his studio.

I'm so used to knocking that it's become a habit.

'Cause they're always naked...

Quite a draft today.

Put this on till Herr Braun gets back.

Here. - Why? - If you're not cold, never mind.

Hang your clothes on the hangar, and then close the curtain.

Herr Braun doesn't like untidiness.

Do I look like I'd go naked in front of a stranger?

Then put back the robe and close the curtain.

I thought you were going to model, since you're nice and big.

Your head doesn't really seem worthwhile.

If dust gets on them, he says the colours go blind.

As if there were one speck of dust in his place.

Hello?

My goodness!

Evening. Herr Witt sent me. I'm supposed to help out,

'cause he's not coming to Rotterdam.

"... I want to tell her

that she means more to me than the barge.

Your dear friend, Willi. "

Fix up your bunk in the bow. We're leaving at 5 in the morning.

Yes Sir, boatman.

"Your dear friend, Willi"

Evening. - Evening. - I won't bother you long. May I come up?

Yes, please do.

Was Willi here? - No.

10... 60... 1.60... 6.60 Here's your change.

I just wanted to return your money. - What for?

You were right. Potsdam to Berlin costs 3.40.

You didn't eat, so 6.60 change. - Take the money back.

You said we were too expensive. It's true. There.

I didn't mean it that way! Take the money back.

I don't want to fight again. You say one thing and mean another.

The money stays!

Fine. Leave it. It doesn't change anything.

I really don't want to fight. It really doesn't change anything.

It's silly. I mean, I'll take it.

No. Just leave it.

I'm sewing curtains for the cabin.

But I'm not quite finished. For the cabin?

You have everything so neat and tidy. It's only missing curtains.

We do everything ourselves. Sewing, darning socks and all!

But curtains were too tricky. We didn't think we could manage.

I don't think I paid enough... - Of course you did! Much too much!

No. You took care of me.

And I never even said thank you.

Thank you.

Don't mention it. We'd have done it for anybody.

Sure.

Of course.

My God! - Damn! I knew we'd end up fighting.

Curtains! - Shut up.

Put 'em in the cabin. But don't get your filthy fingers on 'em!

No Sir, boatman. - Get on with it!

Just passing by... - Did you fight with your friend?

No, no... It's just 'cause he's going to Rotterdam alone...

And tousled your hair

And sailed to Zanzibar

You just run off! You're acting very strange today.

Naw. I was just thinking that I've been here three months.

Why did you fight with your friend? Why won't you tell me?

Aw, it's no big deal. We couldn't agree on...

...on whether to install a motor or not.

So do you want to stay on the barge for ever?

Did you know the "Lieselotte" arrives in Berlin tomorrow? - No.

Tonight she'll tie up at the Glienicker Bridge.

He writes to you. What does he write?

He thanked me for the curtains. - Nothing else? - No.

Shall we go rowing? - How about having a coffee?

No, let's go rowing.

Why are you in such a hurry?

Somebody might see me, a full-fledged boatman, in this little tub.

It was your idea. - But not like a duck in a pond.

Let's stop here.

I've wanted to tell you something for a long while, but it's difficult.

What?

I trusted you right away, and now we know each other better.

I'd like to know your opinion. - About what?

About...

That time in Potsdam...

Did you ever look out my window? - Yes...

The first time I looked out, it made me homesick.

I wasn't used to it. Now I am, but first I thought I couldn't stand it.

Just a bare wall. No sign of spring anywhere.

It was springtime when I moved from Silesia to Berlin.

I didn't have anyone to talk to.

I didn't know anyone in Berlin.

And frying potato pancakes doesn't get rid of homesickness.

One Sunday I was in Potsdam. It was spring.

I stood on the Glienicker Bridge and watched the boats.

There were young girls everywhere. None of them alone.

And on the banks, too. I thought

it was my own fault for being alone and homesick.

That's what I thought. - Yes, I understand.

Yes, right? - And then?

Then I went swimming.

I fell asleep under the sun, and was woken by a ball.

A big beach ball. I was mad, but then I had to laugh,

and I took the ball and threw it back. It was Herr Braun.

That was the one who... - Yes.

We met often after that. In caf�s.

He was a painter, and said one day

that I should model for him. In his studio, at his place.

He said it was only for his painting.

I didn't believed him and said no.

But later at home, and at Jaenicke's,

I recalled the Glienicker Bridge, and the girls.

I went to him. I thought I had to, so I wouldn't be alone.

But I was wrong. It really was only for his painting.

He even said I looked better in my swimsuit.

First I go running to Herr Braun, and I was so...

Yes, I would have done it.

And then he didn't even want me.

I was terribly ashamed, but I didn't want to show it.

I stood there for an hour. Then he gave me the 10 marks.

I was so bewildered that I even thanked him for it.

And then I ran and ran... - And you wanted to jump.

No, what makes you think that?

I went everywhere I'd been that Sunday, and cried a little.

But on the Glienicker Bridge, I was feeling much better.

I figured out I was more ashamed than sad.

And that I shouldn't cry so much over a total stranger.

Yes...

That's it? - Yes, that's it.

Would you like liverwurst or aspic?

No, no aspic. Nothing.

But I could never tell him that. You understand, don't you?

Who?

Well...

Hendrik.

You like Hendrik a lot.

Well, yes. Otherwise it'd be simple.

I didn't like him at all at first. - Well...

At least he sent you a card.

He didn't write to me. I found out he's coming from Sell & Reeser.

Could I have a sandwich now? - Aspic?

No, liverwurst.

Shut up, Tobi!

Forget about it, Tobi. It's just my dear friend Willi.

Can't your stupid mutt shut up?

It's disgusting with animals onboard. The mess!

The dog is housetrained. He only goes in the sand box.

Then he can stay.

I bet you taught him some tricks. - Get the cat!

The evenings are getting cold.

She'll just have to freeze. - Why? Doesn't she have any coal?

Sure she has coal. - Then why should she freeze?

No one to bring up the coals. I always got the oven going for her.

But today...

She doesn't care about me.

Not about me.

Here. The small one's for the coal cellar.

Well then...

So you knew all along?

You left me on land working the crane for three months! - No, no. Tobi...

You left me sitting on the crane, spinning in circles!

No I didn't. I didn't disappear from the barge without a trace. Not me.

Anyway... going 'round and 'round... That's not for me.

It's better if I stay onboard. I'll sleep in the bow. 'Night.

What now? You don't want her anymore?

I tell you, the bread rolls in Rotterdam are...

Don't, the boy'll do it.

Scandalous, teaching the boy songs like that.

Oh my goodness, where did you get him?

He adopted me.

He's really crazy. Tobi, get the cat!

Did the "Lieselotte" come in today? - Yes. At noon. Come on, Tobi!

He's nice. - Yes he is. His name's Tobi.

Do you want him? - Me?

You'd have something to take care of. It helps.

I know how it is to care about someone who doesn't care back.

It's not good.

You want to give him to me because you think I'm sad. How nice.

Aren't you sad? - Pity he didn't have time today.

You really think he'll come tomorrow? - Why not?

You see, it's like this...

He might. He has a lot to do at Sell & Reeser and so on.

But one thing I know for sure: The girls in Rotterdam...

left him cold. - Really? - Yes.

He really cares about you.

Hey, listen...

But he's a really great guy, Hendrik.

You still have my keys. - I don't get it.

You say he never said it. How do you know he likes you?

There must have been something. - Yes, there was.

What was it?

Before he left, he... We had a fight.

A fight? - Yes.

Listen, Miss Altmann... I don't think Hendrik is coming.

Someone's at my place!

Now, damn it, I have to know... - No, I can't tell you!

Nonsense! You didn't have anyone to take care of you! - How...

I've been thinking about it for 3 months and I have to get it out!

Homesick. Depressed. Fall for the first guy you meet...

Painting. Depressed afterwards, then you want to jump in the water.

Am I right? - No... yes.

So I wasn't mistaken, that time on the bridge? - No.

Now I know for sure. A guy always has to look out for you! - Yes.

But the barge is small. You can't get into too much trouble. - No.

I'll take care of you. - Yes.

Now I'm here, and I don't have a present for you.

I brought you a little Spitzhund from Rotterdam.

But he's gone. Silly mutt, must have fallen in.

A llttle fur ball? Willi gave me one, too! - Willi?

He's downstairs with the dog. All white. He's coming up.

Come on, Tobi. Now the barge is ours.

Hurry up with your packing! The new boatman's coming at four.

You can't wait, can you? - The one who gets her has to leave.

Yes.

My good nature is gone for good!

Don't forget the bobble curtains.

Motor! What a laugh...

Shut your yap, I say! - Mouth, mouth!

Go climb the freight crane, there's your motor!

Round and 'round like a carousel. A fine thing for a bargee!

The dog's not going! He's staying here...

Do you understand? The dog stays here!

So the dog stays. Now we've cleared that up.

Out of my way.

Get out of my way!

So you're really going to do it: Leave me alone on the barge.

With this mutt!

I'll move out of the cabin... I'll go up in the bow.

Willi, you're really making a scene! I feel terrible.

Don't make such a fuss. - Terribly terrible!

I thought it wouldn't work out with you. - Work out what?

Anna is up in the bow already. I was only moving my things.

And I thought the good times were over on the barge!

Willi, it'll be a great life! Us two, the barge, and Anna.

Hello, "Lieselotte!"

Hello, "Lieselotte!" - What do you mean, "Lieselotte"?

Oh, right!

Morning, Peters! - Morning! Ready to be towed?

Tie on the others first. Willi, he just went...

...went to get fresh bread rolls!

Ah, Mamie. Mamie, you should be nice to Mr. Lipman.

Why, may I ask?

Ain't you never heard of Lipman and Davidowitz, men's clothes?

That's the same Lipman!

Where is this? The old country, huh?

Is this Poland? Is this Russia?

She's a hundred percent right, Joe.

In America, you marry for love

and that's all.

Who said different?

Furthermore,

I got quite a bit saved myself already.

An orphan got to get her own dowry.

Dowry! I thought this was America.

I don't want no man to say,

"I had to take her just as she was, without a penny."

So, so where you live?

I board in.

No! Me also!

No!

I sleep in the parlor with my landlady's two daughters.

I, I got a bed all to myself.

No.

Well, it ain't actual a bed.

It's a... It's a lounge.

What a bluffer you is, Jake.

You treatin'? Give a look.

What'll it be?

Where's that waiter?

Ladies and gents, meet Schloime Navasky. Just come over this very day.

Oh! Oh! Oh! Hey! Sit 'im right down here.

Sit!

Scared to death. Look at him.

They must have oxen in steerage these days.

Oh, he's laughing! Look at him!

Waiter, another glass tea.

Oh!

Careful.

Oh! Is that a sight?

Pincus Levinsky.

Oh! I know Charlie Levinsky.

I know a Kaminsky.

I know Sora Gilinsky. Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

He will soon learn, in America there is no such thing as relatives, eh?

Ah, here.

Take two. It's America!

Huh?

Oh, his hat! Oh!

Hey! Welcome to America!

No, Jake, wait a minute. Wait a minute.

What's the matter? You got somebody else?

Look who's talking. Me?

Shh!

What about Fanny? Fanny?

Shh!

We work in the same shop, and that's all.

Huh!

Let's go inside. Let me explain.

No. My landlady.

All right.

Good-bye.

Jake. Wait.

For what?

Poor little orphan.

When you come over?

Seven years.

I come all alone from Poland when I was 16 years old.

You speak English like a Yankee. Thank you.

I would think you was born here.

Hey! Ma?

Over here.

Bernstein, what was you in the old country, huh?

A yeshiva student?

Sit on your tochiss all day in the study house, huh?

And the women is bringing the food for the scholar,

and everyone is fighting,

"Stay by my house, stay by me!

And please do me the honor to marry with my daughter."

Well, I wasn't no boss in Lithuania.

No, sir.

Give a guess what I was.

A peddler.

Ah! I told you already?

Hmph. Some country, America.

The peddler becomes the boss,

and the yishiva bocher sits by the sewing machine.

Some country, huh, Jake?

You betcha!

This is one of the locusts from Egypt.

Huh? Look at him.

Boss, what time? Is 12:00 yet?

What if it is? After 12:00, starts all over again, ain't it?

Half after.

So you will ask, huh?

First thing I get to the house! Good.

Fanny!

What's the hurry?

You're finished with Fanny, huh?

Why? You want Fanny?

That kind of a woman, that's not for me.

So what kind of woman is for you?

Bernstein.

So you went to the marriage broker, huh?

Mrs. Kavarsky!

A man works in my shop, and he needs a home. Do you got?

You better be looking yourself, Mr. Podkovnik.

They took your landlady away to the hospital.

Her sister come for Feigle already.

Oh, wait, wait.

It come this morning so I keep for you.

Go. Leave me in peace.

What's the matter?

Read it.

Who?

My wife?

My son?

Your father has been freed.

May he have a bright paradise.

Oh, excuse me, missus.

Who is the landlord in this house?

Epstein.

Would you...

Would you tell him Podkovnik will take the place?

Oh? For what you need a whole apartment?

Mr. Podkovnik getting married maybe? It's too much trouble?

Don't get excited. Right away. I'll tell Epstein.

The furniture, can I keep?

If the sister don't come for it, I said I would sell it.

But who wants?

I want.

Twenty-five dollars would be a bargain.

All right, I buy it.

I got you a room.

Huh?

I got you a room. Two dollars a week, meals and washing included.

Thanks, Jake. By the neighbor lady?

No, with me.

Well, well, well!

I was thinking maybe you moved to Chicago?

I, uh...

I've been busy, Mamie. That's nice.

Don't even bother to clean yourself up when you call on a girl.

Mamie, I gotta talk to you about something special.

Oh!

Mamie...

Ah, Mamie, about this money you got saved.

What about it?

I got a chance for a big bargain.

Oh! What?

Furniture!

What kind of furniture?

What kind?

A stove,

a table, chair, pots, pans.

Mamie, I gotta have my own place.

Jake.

You give?

Jake, you monkey!

I'll pay back every penny. I swear.

Don't bother yourself.

Eh...

You got in your pocket, maybe?

What? The money.

Oh, you want it right away?

You betcha!

Come upstairs.

What about your landlady?

Oh, this is a different thing now, ain't it?

Listen. Better you should get, huh?

Anything you say, Jake.

You're the boss now.

Three years I sleep there.

Now where will you sleep?

For who is the little bed?

My son.

What son is that?

I only got one son.

Jake, what is this?

Did I ever say I was a single man? Well, did I?

Yankel!

Yankel!

For what purpose are you bringing this woman in?

For what purpose are you bringing this woman in?

Uh, for the purpose, she's my wife.

And that's your son?

Sha!

This woman is my wife and that's all!

Where's the marriage certificate?

This is my missus.

This is Mr. Bernstein.

Gitl.

Yankel.

Yankel.

Look at him. A little Yankee.

Yankee?

Listen to him!"Yankee."

Joey.

Joey!

Joey.

Come. Come to Papa.

Say it, Joey. Horse.

Horse. Horse?

Jake?

Jake!

Good morning.

What's the matter? You didn't come to the dancing class for a long time.

The ladies keep asking, "Where's Jake?"

Horse, Ta'teh.

Horse. Mister, give him.

Ta'teh? What else?

Upon my word!

What is wrong, if I may ask?

You got a boy. That means you got a wife also?

Certainly! Upstairs.

They come yesterday only.

Yankel.

Gitl.

Yossele.

Stove. Stove. Stove.

Lunch.

Table.

Bernstein, you want she should be green always?

Good evening, missus.

Gitl?

Good evening.

Joey! Come. Come on.

Here, sit.

Mmm! By gum, this is good!

This son of mine going to be president United States. No, Bernstein?

No. The president must be American born. It's written in the Constitution.

Bernstein, you wish you had a son like my Joey, huh?

Get married, and you soon will.

How come you so particular?

What you say to the marriage broker, he can't find you a wife?

Listen, go back again.

Say, ?I?ll take whatever you got

as long as she got two eyes, a nose and a mouth."

Look at him, shvitzing!

Come in! Come in.

Good evening, Jake.

Mamie.

Ah, Miss Fein,

my wife.

How you do? Pleased to meet you.

Say, ?I?m glad to meet you."

She is still a greener.

Never mind. She'll soon "oysgreen" herself.

What a darling!

What a darling. What's his name?

Joey.

Joey! Joey, come here. Come here.

Are you a good boy, Joey?

Give me a kiss.

Mmm! Oh, that's nice. So nice.

Here. Mama.

Mamie.

About the $25. Huh! I should cough.

A couple of weeks. No, sir. Now!

I don't know where you get it though.

A married man with a darling little wife.

I must remember to ask your wife how she likes the furniture.

The furniture you bought with my money.

I'll pay you every penny, Mamie.

Just don't say nothing to her, please.

What do I care? I want my money!

I worked hard enough for it!

I'll say what I like to your wife.

Oh, don't you like it? Lump it!

Don't talk English. She will think something.

What do I care what she thinks?

I want she should know.

It's lucky I still remember a word or two of the old language.

I'll tell her what's what.

Never mind! I don't wanna stay here anyhow.

Good-bye, Mrs. Podkovnik.

I hope you will enjoy America.

Mamie!

Mamie. Where can I see you?

Well, you can't come by the dancing academy no more, huh?

Wait a minute. If I want, I can go there more than I used to.

Mamie.

Mmm.

You know where I live, don't you?

Or did you forget?

I don't forget. What a short mind you got.

I won't forget nothing. I'll come.

Huh. You're bluffing.

I'll come. I should live so.

All right.

But bring my $25.

Or you'll see.

Come, come.

Come.

You think you're still in Russia?

Love potions!

Look at you. Like a bubbe with a patch on the head!

Why should he love you?

Fifty times I am telling you,

"Fix yourself. Look like a woman that lives in America."

I won't be a goyah, even for Yankel.

What's the use? I'm talking to the wall.

Why should I bother myself?

What about at night in the bed?

Don't tell me. I know the answer already. Nothing.

Look at me. Am I a goyah?

I'm as pious as you anyhow. And I go with my own hair, don't I?

Plenty time for the patch when I get old.

While I'm young, I'm young. And that's all.

It can't be helped!

We live in an educated country, so we dress like educated people.

As they say, ?Ladies first."

Hold in. Hold.

It hurts.

It hurts? That means it's working.

Hold, hold now. Hold. Good.

Oh, yeah!

That right? Yeah, it's all right.

It's sure tight.

You wanna be an American, you gotta hurt.

My best!

I don't buy from a pushcart. I buy inside, by the way. Huh?

How do you like, huh?

Yeah? Yeah?

Maybe you got one with feathers?

You want a hat with feathers? Feathers, you'll get!

Here.

Oh! Ah, ah, beautiful!

Oh, look. Give a look. Huh?

A regular uptown lady.

Here, like that.

Hmm? You like it?

Evening, missus. He must work late again.

It's the busy season. The boss keeps him. And Jake is the best worker.

Yossele.

Base.

Base.

Mamie! Oh, Mamie.

You bring my money?

I gotta speak to you now. Get away from me!

Please, I come all the way from work!

Is it my fault you got a short mind?

Today is Wednesday.

You was by dancing.

And why not? I'm a single girl. I can go where I want.

You think I can't?

A married man at a dancing academy with his little wife draggin' after.

You give me a regular pain! Shut up out there!

I don't have nothing to do with a married man, Jake Podkovnik!

You got my money. You give it! Otherwise you go to hell!

You go to hell!

You ain't worth my wife's little finger!

You either!

Oh, you! Don't tell me.

Jake. Jake.

I'm so busy tonight.

What you waitin' for?

Mr. Bernstein,

why you come to America?

You could've been teacher.

Rabbi even.

I wasn't worthy.

What? I should live so!

I could not take my mind

from profanities.

Here I was studying the Talmud

which teaches

"He who even looks at the little finger of a woman

is as guilty as though he looked at a woman totally naked."

So I bought a ship's ticket

and I came to America.

So?

I'm tasting! That's all!

I want a treat, and you're insulting me.

Who wants your treat?

All right! So don't come to my wedding neither.

I'll be goddamn!

Jake, was from you I got the nerve to ask her.

To have a wife, that's a good thing, huh, Jake?

What you talking, Joe?

A single man is a bum, a gornisht!

One thing, a man gives up something when he gets married, by the way.

What? Give up what? Dancing school?

A big mitzeah.

Joe, what is?

When I finish work, and I come home,

all I wanna do is eat my dinner, enjoy my little wife

and play with my boychick.

Of course, Mamie and me, we gonna run the academy together.

Be good for business, huh?

Mamie?

Which Mamie?

Mamie Fein.

You asked Mamie Fein, huh?

What she say?

"Maybe."

Maybe, huh? And already you standing under the canopy.

Upon my word.

It's a good thing she didn't say more than maybe. You can get away yet.

Get away? I don't wanna get away.

Jake, why should I wanna get away?

Never mind.

American ladies, for a good time, yes.

For a wife, no.

Get yourself a girl from the old country.

She don't ask all the time for a new dress, a new hat.

She don't run around with other mens.

She keeps the place like a fiddle, and she knows how to save from a nickel.

Mamie saved more than $300 from out her wages.

Furthermore, I don't want no greenhorn wife.

Then you go to hell!

You and Mamie ain't worth my wife's little finger!

So.

If your wife is such a wonder, how is it you're sittin' here?

Never mind you business!

You say one more word about my wife and I'll give you this!

You ain't got a cigar?

Sure I got. Help yourself. Take a couple.

Thanks.

Eat. Make your teeth strong.

Look what a place is America, nu, Bernstein?

At home we had forests.

Right outside the door, remember, Yankel?

Here one must take a train for an hour just to be near a tree.

So go back to Russia.

Here a Jew is a mensch.

In Russia we was afraid to walk within ten feet of a Gentile.

Yankel, where in America is the Gentiles, huh?

I go with Mrs. Kavarsky, Rivington Street, Delancey Street,

everywhere Jews.

The Gentiles keep in another place, huh?

Yossele, don't get dirty the knee pants Ta'teh make for you.

Let him enjoy!

What a boy, with regular knee pants.

You know what the trouble is with you, Gitl?

Look on me.

Give a look on me!

Am I a Jew or a Gentile?

Forget that you know me.

Just by what you see, what do you say?

A Jew is a Jew.

What do you know!

Mr. Bernstein knows many things.

He going give lessons in how to talk English.

I looking for students all the time. Twenty-five cents an hour.

I'll be goddamn!

Who'd wanna take lessons from such a greeny? Look at him!

Bernstein,

you want my advice?

Go to the shadchen, say, ?I?ll take what you got:

deaf, hunchback,

long as she got money."

Then you buy yourself a little store.

Let the hunchback run the place.

And you can sit all day and read the books, huh?

What do you say?

Joey!

Joey, come here!

Don't bother, Mr. Bernstein.

Oh, here he comes, Yossele.

The slack season already?

Mister, wait one minute. Yossele, stay by me.

Go. I'll send him up in a minute.

Slack season.

No work three, maybe four months.

Take off.

Take off!

Yankel!

What happened here?

She looks like a wet cat!

Mama!

Take him to my house. Have a little water.

Another man would thank God for such a wife.

Look how she keeps the place.

Like a mirror!

A flower in the window even.

Why do you do this to her?

What I do?

With one tochiss, you can't dance at two weddings.

You think you're better off with the dancing girl?

Gitl told you? She didn't say a word, I swear.

Don't get excited! She didn't say a word!

I don't care for no dancing girls!

I don't care for nobody!

Especially that one, that shnoosa!

I'm an American fellow.

A Yankee, that's what I am. And that's all!

Oh, it's no use.

Oh, kinder, kinder! You have a quarrel and that's all.

You make a peace. Give a good kiss.

What you kicking about anyway? Mind your own business!

Listen, Podkovnik,

I was in this country when you were still in Russia hauling on the bellows!

You can't pee up my back, and make me think it's rain.

Get outta here!

Never! Never! Go. Who knows what you do! Maybe kill her.

You wanna call a policeman? Go.

Call a policeman! I will tell him what is doing in this house!

He will be back, that one. Don't worry.

I don't want him back.

Enough.

Mamie, how can you fix?

Gitl won't agree to divorce.

Money. Money, money, money, money.

I ain't got.

I got.

You got?

You knew I got, didn't you? Never!

How much you got?

Three hundred and forty dollars.

You little peach, you!

Used to be 365, but for the 25 you borrowed,

I already said Kaddish.

Ah. We'll keep by enough to start a dancing academy.

We're done in the sweatshops. Finished.

In the first, Podkovnik will not come home no more

whether you say yes or no, missus.

Or as we say, ?irregardless."

You agree to a divorce,

Miss Mamie Fein is giving you $50.

You don't agree, no $50.

All right.

You got a little one.

Ach.

Ach.

What can I do?

What can I do? What can I do?

Seventy-five dollars.

Seventy-five dollars, you'll get a new husband, one-two-three. Huh?

What kind business we got here, missus?

All right, $100.

One hundred dollars! What am I saying?

It's out, I said it, that's all, it's finished.

One hundred dollars. You're a rich lady. Mazeltov!

Mr. Bernstein,

is all right, these things?

Mrs. Kavarsky say, for a divorce a woman must not look like an old broom.

So I go today by Delan--

You going away?

I cannot pay my board.

So I'll call a policeman.

You got so much money now. What do you need a boarder?

I'm gonna stay by my uncle.

When?

Tonight.

Whatever.

Missus?

Maybe you got some string?

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

And good-bye to the boy.

May you have a boy of your own one day.

To have a son,

a man must have a wife.

A wife you can get.

The one that I would ask,

what if she would say no?

What if she would say yes?

Missus, what are you doing?

I'm saying yes.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Come in.

You got the Rabbi's fee?

All together. No installments. We gotta eat too.

I got, I got.

The witnesses. You got for them also?

Zalman?

My brother.

What? Come.

Over there.

Jake.

Yankel.

Yankel.

Berel.

Berel.

Yes.

Zalman.

She's a good daughter of Israel, Rabbi.

She could marry tomorrow, but she will wait 91 days.

She's got a suitor?

Don't worry. When it comes to the wedding, I'll call your husband.

He'll make the ceremony.

Zalman.

Why she shouldn't have a suitor, such a beautiful young woman!

Why she should go to waste?

A yeshiva bocher, not a lump of horse like the other one.

He's already teaching her little one.

A little one?

So what's the name, the little one?

Yossele. Yossele.

No. His name is Joey.

So tomorrow you go by your boss,

and tell him you'll stay with the job, huh?

What about Podkovnik's Dancing Academy?

Huh! With what?

Your wife skinned us alive out of $300, didn't she?

We'll have to start saving all over again, from the very beginning.

Mamie, must we walk all the way to City Hall?

Why spend for a carriage?

But we can go by Third Avenue and take the El.

Two nickels is two nickels. It's money, ain't it?

Are you ashamed for people to see us?

Mamie! Come on, what you talking, huh?

This grocery store, how much rent is he asking?

Don't bother your head. We got plenty left. May I fall down on the street.

You think I can learn to sell groceries?

What? You will study. I will sell.

Tell me, Mr. Bernstein, in our store,

should we sell soda and seltzers?

In the hot weather, people are thirsty.

On the other hand, such an item can be bought on the streets as well.

That's true.

So we mustn't be too quick to say this or that.