Original subtitles

EIGHT HOURS DON'T MAKE A DAY

A FAMILY SERIES

FRANZ AND ERNST

Cheers.

Now tell us what he said.

He said he wanted to be completely honest. “Completely honest,” he said.

Even if I had a foreman's certificate,

management wants to fill the position with someone from the outside, he said.

They've had better experiences doing that, he said.

He feels the same.

- He's nuts, I'd say. - And he can't decide that? Or what?

What do you mean by “decide”? Of course he can't decide.

He's just implementing a directive from above, he said.

Shit that is. Right?

Franz good foreman. Definitely.

Forget it. It's all right.

It'll be the right way. - What do you mean “the right way”?

Giving up because of the bullshit he tells you?

What do you mean “bullshit”? He knows the score.

- We know the score too. - We sure do. I think the same.

He does know the score.

That's clear.

But all he knows is what they think up top.

He has no clue what we want. - None at all.

Exactly.

But that means we have to let him know what we want.

So it's that easy? You guys really live on the moon.

No one said it'd be easy.

All we're saying is that we have an opinion.

If someone doesn't know it, then we have to let them know about it.

That's it. - I don't know.

Soon I won't believe in anything. - We'll see.

In any case, keep attending the course.

- If you say so. -lt'd be silly not to.

- Be careful you aren't making a mistake. - To err is human.

Cheers.

Seven glasses of Kölsch!

A bit quiet here, huh?

What do you mean “quiet”?

Just quiet.

Here, in the apartment.

It's nice that it's quiet when you come home from work.

I don't know.

You'll just have to get used to it.

Our distinguished son! He's home already.

What? Do I have set times to be home?

Don't be sassy. Your mother has to keep your food warm.

- Then let her complain. - She's too meek to do that.

As if you had a clue.

Good evening. - Same to you.

So tell me, Dad says...

keeping food warm for me is hard work for you.

That's not true in the least.

Any chance you get to stab me in the back.

It's really not hard to keep that bit of food warm, Wolf.

If you want to sabotage my parenting, fine, he's your son.

And I am very pleased with him.

You're undermining my authority.

Honestly? Well, I'm sorry about that.

No, really.

We could basically get rid of our phone.

All we get are calls for your son. And I pay the bill every month.

Well, Grandma?

I'll come in half an hour or so.

What did you cook?

Oh, stuffed cabbage rolls.

No, Grandma, I'm looking forward to it. See you soon, okay?

Grandma just invited me over for dinner. I'd best go now.

What did I say? You'll eat what's on your plate too.

I made cabbage rolls especially for you.

Everything that happens around here happens just for you!

Your son gets to eat standing up. - Well, if he's in a rush.

- Just look at that upbringing. - Bye.

- You only want people here to quarrel with. - Come off it.

It's why you get so mad when no one's here.

Yeah, yeah.

It's true.

I can't eat another bite.

Why's that? You've only eaten one.

I made you two, and you'll eat two.

They taste really good.

Anyhow... - What do you think is in them?

Onions and bacon and...

Why do you look so pained? Go ahead and dig right in. I have more.

Thanks, Grandma. That's really sweet of you.

But I really am full now.

Right.

What do you want?

Why should I want something?

You did make cabbage rolls especially for me.

You must want something.

It's really mean of you to think that of me.

Gregor, am I like that? I'm not that scheming.

- Yes, you are. - Gregor.

Yes, but scheming in a very lovable way.

- Stabbing me in the back. - Well?

Well? Well...

Well... Do you want another schnapps? - No, Grandma, I don't.

I want to know what you're up to. - Fine.

Then take a look at the doors, the windows, and the border.

Grandma, Grandma...

I don't see anything.

Everything's tip-top. - Hey, now.

A blind man can see they need a fresh coat of paint.

A blind man with wooden glasses can see that.

Well, in that case...

I'm off to Marion's. I bet she made cabbage rolls too.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Guess what I made especially for you - cabbage rolls.

No.

No.

No!No!No!

Time to eat now.

Making your cabbage rolls is hard work.

- Mine? - Didn't you say it was your favorite dish?

That's over. I'll never eat them again.

Never again. - Calm down.

- Maybe he's gone soft. - What?

- In the head. - In the head?

- Who knows? - Okay, I'll eat your cabbage rolls.

- No one's forcing you to eat them. - I want to eat them.

I'll eat them till they come out of my ears.

Out of my ears. You got that? - Yes, yes.

- They're hiring a foreman from outside. - And Franz?

Yes, he was pretty dejected about it.

But we cheered him up.

But why from the outside?

Someone internal will know a lot more.

Apparently, management has had experience.

That's pretty rough for Franz.

First he takes the stupid classes and then that ship sails on him.

That ship hasn't sailed yet. He's still got us.

We'll let them know what we think. I can't wait to see how they react.

Right.

That's it.

I can't eat another bite.

Bringing in an outsider - can they even do that?

He won't know the place at all, to start with.

We'll see if they can do that.

Jochen.

- Yes? - I'll go to bed for 50 pfennig.

We're not making any deals today.

I ate too much for that.

It's no laughing matter. In the course of the evening, I've eaten...

seven cabbage rolls.

Your brother can stay put

because nothing worth 50 pfennig is going to happen.

Then I'll just go. As if I have to depend on you.

I simply explained the facts to Mr. Miltenberger.

Management wants to fill the foreman's position with someone from the outside.

That has proven beneficial elsewhere.

We have trained psychologists on this. They are absolutely incorruptible.

As I'm sure you know.

Yes, those are the facts.

I can't tell you any more than that.

But the workforce greatly desires Mr. Miltenberger to be the foreman.

Mr. Miltenberger isn't even qualified to be a foreman.

He's about to take his foreman's exam.

That exam must first be passed, as I'm sure you know.

Then let's assume he passes the exam.

But that's by no means guaranteed. By no means.

Let's just assume. What would the situation be then?

- It's just a question. - We can still ask questions.

Of course you can ask questions.

Workers who think for themselves.

What more could one hope for?

One gets the feeling you do hope for something more.

Now then, how would things stand if Mr. Miltenberger got his certificate?

Then the situation would be different.

But still, management's precept that - - What exactly is a precept?

- It is a specified policy or a - - Okay, and beyond that?

There's a specified policy to hire outside people to fill upper-level posts.

We very much desire Mr. Miltenberger to be the foreman.

If you get what I mean.

All right, then...

If Mr. Miltenberger passes his exam,

count on me putting in a good word for him.

And...

we will wait and see if he passes.

Thanks.

Personnel office, please.

- And? - The chances are looking pretty good.

He'll put in a word for you and see if you pass the exam.

And do you think he means what he says?

I believe he's shitting his pants, if I'm not entirely mistaken.

We can pressure him into meaning what he says.

Right?

I hope you're right.

I'm just asking if you can place the ad with a box number

and not the company name.

Not possible?

All right, that's fine too.

Of course, they're pretty lonely now that Grandma's gone.

They'll get used to it. - You don't know my dad. He needs action.

It makes him sick when no one's around to annoy him.

That's Jochen.

- Where were you? - Playing soccer.

Wait. Read this. I marked something for you.

-“Market-leading company”... - Heavy stuff, man.

Ain't that the truth. What a bastard.

- He agreed that they'd wait, right? - Of course. Of course he agreed.

Should we let Franz - - It could crush him.

But if he learns about it later, then it might give him a shock.

Really tough call.

Tell him and he may quit now. If he learns later, he may be mad we didn't tell him.

- Maybe they won't find anyone. - The wish is father to the thought.

That jerk says he'll wait till after Franz's exam,

then places an ad for a foreman the same day.

We have to tell Franz, don't we? - Of course you have to. That's clear.

- It's not though. - But he has to know where he stands.

I agree. We can't let him hold on to false hope.

What do you mean false hope? What'll we do if he quits?

- You can't let him quit. - That's easy for you to say.

You know him better.

Think of something. I'll be right back.

- Hey. - Hey, what?

How are you?

All right.

Are you happy?

What is happiness?

It's when...

I don't know. I'm not happy.

Me neither.

Is everything okay with your husband?

Harald is the way he is.

There are lots of things I didn't know beforehand.

You get used to things.

No. No, you don't.

And I definitely don't.

What are you going to do?

Wait.

First I'm going to wait a bit, and then - - Then?

- I don't know. - Oh, well.

And you?

Are you still sad?

Should I be?

Yes, I'm still sad.

I'm very fond of you.

- Well? - Okay.

We'll tell him. - I'll come.

- I'll drive you. Get the paper. - Oh, yeah.

- Come on. I'll drive you home. - Okay.

- Hello. - Hi.

- Hello. - Jochen? What do you want?

- Oh, I - I just wanted to stop by. - That's a lie. Somethings up.

But come and sit down first.

- This is Marion. - I think we've seen each other before.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Would you like a coffee or tea? - Thanks, but we'll be going again soon.

- So, what is it? - Well...

Oh, well. You're a sensible guy.

Well.

Then I can pack it in.

That's just what you shouldn't do.

We're showing you this so you know what we're up against, not so you give up.

We'll confront the supervisor on Monday.

And if the worse comes to the worst...

we have ways and means.

So you think the others will join in for my sake?

Not for your sake, for our sake.

Maybe you're right.

Maybe I should say, “Now for sure”...

and see what comes of it.

We'll be going then.

Right on.

- Oh. - Yes?

Leave the paper here for me.

I'll hang it over the mirror

so that I don't lose steam.

- Good-bye. - Good-bye.

Do you think it's worth it -

always fighting and fighting?

If we win.

Sure.

All right, who's going?

Let's draw lots.

Drawing lots is childish.

Who doesn't want to go? - Me.

Well, well.

And you? - Not really.

All right, then.

Giuseppe? - I don't mind.

But it won't do any good.

- Someone finally speaks the truth. - Shut up.

You shut up.

You're to go to Inspection.

- Me? - Of course. Or am I looking elsewhere?

Asking is no crime.

All right.

Then let's go. - Okay.

I'll smash your face in one of these days.

Yeah? Go on ahead then. I not scared.

That grin of yours will disappear and so will that stupid head of yours.

- Yes? - I was told to come.

From Toolmaking. Rolf Schwein.

That's right. Schwein as in “swine.”

Give it here.

Well then, what is this?

I made it. ls something not right with it?

Oh, it's good work.

I see no fault with it. - Well then.

- Except. . . - Except?

Except that it isn't right.

- I hear it isn't right, and I think... - You're to calculate, not think.

And to do it correctly.

The angle was calculated incorrectly. - Well, l...

Yes?

I didn't calculate it.

The foreman calculated it.

- Which foreman? - Miltenberger, Franz.

That is most interesting.

Most interesting indeed. Right, you can go.

I'm telling you, gentlemen, that ad was an accident.

Purely an accident.

You don't believe me.

That advertisement was placed before our conversation.

And I tried to cancel it.

Really, but -

Yes?

That is very interesting.

It has been proven without a doubt that Mr. Miltenberger calculated the angle?

Yes.

Thank you, in any case.

Certainly. That goes without saying.

Well. This is a sad affair.

Mr. Miltenberger incorrectly calculated an angle for Mr. Schwein.

I repeat, he calculated it incorrectly.

You'll have to admit that someone who makes mistakes of that kind

is not suited for such a position.

Under no circumstances whatsoever.

I have always been of that opinion.

A worker should remain what he is.

Now you see what it leads to otherwise.

I've really showed enough goodwill.

You have to admit that.

If he were duly qualified,

I would certainly have promoted Mr. Miltenberger any day.

Sorry, fellas.

It just wasn't meant to be.

Thank you for your help.

- He's pretty down, huh? - You would be too.

Probably.

Maybe...

Maybe I should've taken the blame. - Don't take it so hard.

Something else would've happened eventually.

He has problems with math.

Maybe it's better this way.

We basically made fools of ourselves. First we run our mouths, then this.

That's ridiculous.

We made a mistake, and to err is human.

I don't know, but I wouldn't give up just yet.

- What are you saying? - I think -

Franz should carry on anyway. - You can forget it. He's crushed as it is.

Still.

I think it's wrong.

Mathematics.

He can learn it. - Do you want to talk to him?

- I don't believe in it. It's over. - I don't know.

You're nuts. You can go too far.

On the other hand,

we could make life hell for the new guy until Franz passes the exam.

Jochen's right. Giving up is no good.

The way he runs his mouth.

If you're going to go, then please do. I'll join in.

Later. At the moment, I'm fed up with it.

Me too.

Everyone's fed up right now. But if you want to try, I'll join in. Later.

You can all kiss my ass. I don't give a shit who's foreman.

But Still...

Maybe I should've taken the blame.

Shit.

It's a constant to-and-fro.

Just shows you how tough our kind have it.

Maybe it's really not enough.

He's no idiot.

Mathematics.

He can learn that.

- If you have to keep begging him... - I'm not begging. I'm encouraging him.

The fact it's necessary doesn't have to do with him.

It has to do with the circumstances.

It's not easy for anyone who wants to rise above the station he's been put in.

He said he wanted to die.

He feels so ashamed, he said.

He's never been so ashamed in his life.

It's no reason to be ashamed.

You don't know him.

He takes everything so seriously.

He takes everything to heart.

That's why we're here.

Look.

We all want to have him as foreman.

- Don't cry. Please. - He never should've got it in his head.

It's destroying him.

Believe me.

It's completely destroying him.

He was so proud that everyone was sticking by him.

Now all he feels is ashamed.

He's so hurt.

Where is he?

Over in the bar on the corner.

I don't know. Maybe you should just forget it all.

Yeah.

No one really knows what's right and what's wrong.

I think he'll manage it.

Honestly.

Do you really think so?

I'm quite sure. Good-bye.

- Good-bye. - Good-bye.

You know what I am?

Of course you do. A failure is what I am.

“Cobbler, stick to your last.” I learned that when I was little.

But I had forgotten it.

Now it's come to my mind again.

But that's how it is. Little guys should stay little.

- But - - No. I'm right. I am.

I should've known long ago. I'll never manage it.

My head just doesn't work like it should.

It can't retain everything.

Sometimes there's just a real wall in there.

It just conks out.

Long ago.

I should've known that long ago.

Well, what don't you understand? Huh?

Mathematics.

Mathematics, that's where it stops.

Another round.

But you can learn that.

If you can't get something into your head, it can't be learned.

It can only cause despair.

Pretty high-and-mighty words, huh?

Well, I'm in pretty high spirits.

I'm drowning my dreams in drink.

I want to wake up tomorrow

and never think another thought that exceeds my limits.

Thanks. Cheers.

Cheers.

Aren't you drinking?

No.

I think what you're saying is stupid.

Thanks. That'll be because I am stupid.

You're not stupid. On the contrary.

Oh, yes, I am stupid.

- Not at all. - Of course I'm stupid.

And I want to stay stupid. Another round.

And anyway, what's stupid about what I'm saying?

It's not stupid at all.

There's nothing stupid about it.

I'm stupid, but what I'm saying isn't stupid.

Right. Then you're not stupid.

True.

I'm not.

Somehow that doesn't work out right.

I - I am stupid.

But if I say that I'm stupid, then I'm not stupid.

That doesn't work out. And there it is again. I can't work it out.

And since I can't work it out, I'm stupid. Cheers.

You see? Now you have to drink two of them at once.

Did you see that?

I did the math.

One and one... makes two.

I did the math correctly.

You see?

And since you - since you did the math correctly...

you have to go to school.

School? What is that?

School is...

where stupid little kids go

so they leave less stupid than they were before.

You are drunk.

Tipsy.

No more, no less.

And the thing with school is - - So I did understand it right.

I should keep going to school.

Of course I'll keep going.

I'll keep going to school until I can't add one plus one anymore.

That won't take much longer. Definitely not.

Another round.

And why should I keep going to school?

Because -

Because then you'll have your foreman's certificate

by the time we've driven the new foreman away.

That makes sense.

What do you plan on doing? You guys are crazy.

Cheers.

Do you - Do you think I'm drunk?

No idea.

But I am drunk.

I'm as drunk as a skunk.

And so I will have forgotten everything we've talked about by tomorrow.

By tomorrow and forever after.

The tab.

I'll pay it all.

And make sure you don't get the math wrong.

If you get the math wrong, you're in the wrong.

Blue night

Oh, blue night over the harbor

In the distance, the wind and sea roar

And the ships lie still in slumber

Having journeyed from far, far away

And from a ship's lantern comes a glow

Shining on two lovers Who cannot find their way home

Then she whispers

"Dearest, I would sail with you Out to sea come morning”

But he had to sail out on the wide sea

Blue night

Oh, blue night -

I'm home.

Now tell me,

why are you so drunk?

You drank a lot less than I did.

- I'm not drunk at all. - Yes, you are drunk.

I drank much less.

And just watch how I can still walk straight.

Watch this.

Did you see that?

I can still walk straight.

Do you think he'll continue?

No idea.

If he hasn't forgotten everything by tomorrow.

Listen.

Are you as drunk as I am?

I don't know how drunk you are,

but I'm pretty darn wasted.

Boy, I don't wish the head I have on any of you.

Went a bit overboard, eh?

The way you talked at me the whole time, I had to.

You did all the talking.

I hope you retained a bit of it.

I retained one thing - that one and one makes two.

Not bad. That's got to be worth something, right?

Yes. It's definitely the beginning of something.

I just don't remember what.

Hey, look.

Good morning, gentlemen.

I'd like to introduce Mr. Friedrich.

Mr. Friedrich is your new foreman.

Hello. I'm happy to be here. I -

I hope we can work well as a team.

As you know, such people are quite wary at first.

But they'll come round. Believe me, they'll come round.

Come here.

Huff)'-

There's coffee, cake, and cream.

You're so quiet, Grandma. ls something wrong?

Something wrong, Grandma?

- You got troubles? - Just look at yourselves.

There's more paint on your faces than on the doors and windows.

You plastered your forehead instead of the holes in the wall.

I'm no - I'm not a professional.

Painters are professionals.

They train for three years first. - Yeah.

And they cost lots and lots of money.

- They do a lovely job. Like new, right? - Yes, like new. There's truth to that.

Fine. I'll get painters in if you're too stupid to do it.

- Yes, I agree. We're too stupid. - Much too stupid.

If there were a world record for stupidity, then we would break it.

Well, I had fun. I'll gladly keep going.

For God's sake, you stay put.

Eat your cake.

Honestly, painting the way you lot do.

I can do that too.

Good morning.

Pardon me, but are the threads finished?

- What was that? - Are the threads already finished?

- Do you know what he means? - Not a clue.

Do you know what he's talking about?

I don't understand.

He speaks so quietly, don't you think?

Did you at least get the drawing?

Or not? - No understand.

Drawings, plans. Nothing?

I understand. A package.

No package. Mama sick.

No, but really. Will the threads at least be finished today?

Will the threads at least be finished today? Pass it on.

Will the threads at least be finished today? Pass it on.

Will the threads at least be finished today? Pass it on.

Will the threads at least be finished today? Pass it on.

That'll do. Thank you.

I think you yourselves know what needs doing, right?

I don't think it's entirely fair. He has it hard enough.

If we wait until he's settled in, we won't get anywhere.

Who gives a shit if things are tough for him, or whatever?

It's a matter of principle, right?

Principle? What's that?

It's when you do something you've thought over and decided it's right.

Principle.

We'll be the fools in the end anyway.

We have to perform no matter what.

In any case, I'm having fun doing it.

That's just it.

It's just for fun. It won't lead anywhere. - I don't know.

Why can't having fun get you anywhere? - It's unfair.

We mock him and he can't get a foothold. - We don't want him to get a foothold.

That's just what this is about.

I'll say it again. In the end, we'll be the fools.

He just needs to report us. Then what?

He won't report us.