Original subtitles

[Romantic music playing]

[Wind howling]

[Wind gusting]

[Dramatic music plays]

[Indistinct shouting]

Man: Here she comes!

[Train whistle blows]

Is that the, uh...

Fast mail...

New York, Chicago, 48 hours, special express.

Jumpin' jehoshaphat, look at them loons.

Hello, Bert!

Came all the way from kalamazoo, nonstop.

Hi, there, Danny!

Say, that's my hat!

Sorry. That's my brother.

[Indistinct conversations]

[Wheels screech]

Hello, "thay."

Daniel, by the great horn spoon, I'm glad to see you!

Haven't seen you in a dog's age.

Ha! Come on. Take you right up.

Wait a minute. Wait. Abigail.

This is Abigail, thane.

Well, I'm sure glad to meet you.

How do you do, thane?

Well, Abigail, you sure are a sight for sore eyes.

Wouldn't drink so much, your eyes wouldn't be sore.

Smart, ain't she? Ha!

You always did know a good thing when you saw it. Ha!

Well, Abby, how do you like coming to Chicago?

Pack up bag and baggage,

go traipsing off to live with a lot of wild...

Whoo! Land o' goshen!

So tame, ought to be standing in front of a cigar store.

There you are, chief. [Chuckles]

Shine. Come on.

[Chuckles]

[Chuckles]

Come on.

I see it, Abby.

I tell you, I see it.

You see what?

Opportunity.

Where?

In a city that's been burned to ashes?

Nah.

Looky there... The people, Abby,

the burned-out, homeless, building-up-again people.

Why, I'm a-going to sell...

Feathers to Indians.

[Chuckles] Caution, ain't she?

Whoa.

Whoa. Well, there she is.

Or, to get nautical, there she blows.

Daniel: You've been blowing enough.

I'd like a little quiet.

Ha! I don't like nothing quiet.

So, how do you know that this is the block

where the streetcars are going to turn 'round and 'round?

How do I know? Hunch.

That's how I know... A hunch.

Can't be no other place.

Look here. This is the center.

When those cars come running down from the north side,

in from the West Side, and up from the South side,

there's got to be a place

where they're gonna go 'round and 'round.

Well, it sounds good.

I hope all that going 'round and 'round

ain't just in your head.

Ah.

Well, I guess I'll be going.

You'll give me a day or two to clear out the old shebang?

Yes, yes, surely, surely. Yes, sir.

Good day, folks. Bye.

Good day.

[Chuckles]

Got a scheme, Danny. Let you in on the ground floor.

I got a scheme of my own.

You see that? That's my ground floor.

From this very minute

I'm devoting all my time to what's going on right here.

You see, thay, I'm gonna have responsibilities.

Abby's gon... Daniel.

[Clears throat] I'm tired.

I-I'd like to lie down.

Oh, I'm sorry. That's stupid of me.

Uh, say, where do we...

Awful hard to get anything around here.

A lot of folks still sleeping in the park.

Proprietor and his wife been staying back there.

Now that they're gone, you could, uh...

Abby: T'ain't a palace.

No.

Sleep in straw?

All the comforts of a horse.

[Chickens clucking]

Oh, it's just a beginning, Abby.

Give me a chance.

[Chicken clucks]

Things won't always be like this.

We'll...

God bless Daniel pardway...

And our store.

[Sawing]

I don't like this place.

You don't, huh?

No. Why not?

Well, I expected more of you.

Well, why don't you fix it up?

Looks like a frontier trading post.

People don't like to trade in a barn.

They don't, huh? No, it's wrong.

It's all wrong.

You own all these shacks.

Why don't you cut through, join them up, put on a front?

Couldn't thane do something?

No, he's better at telling folks how.

Ha!

Say, when you gonna start throwing these around?

Right away, all over Chicago.

[Indistinct conversations]

Woman: I must have size 12!

Sorry. We're out of 12s.

No, we're not out of 12s at all. Here you are, madam.

Here you are.

What's the matter? Have you all got big feet?

Hey, can't you wait on me?

Just a moment, please.

Well, you better get some more stock in here.

Abby: Daniel. Yes?

Daniel, you'll have to handle this man.

What's the matter?

[european accent] You call this wool?

What do you call it?

I call it phooey.

What?

Alright, cotton cashmere.

Oh, Mr. pardway, sir, it's impossible, sir.

We need more clerks!

Well, hire them right out of the crowd...

$2 for the rest of the day.

Yes, sir.

2 1/2.

$2.

Take it or leave it.

The best a-number 100% woolen socks,

stockings, half hose.

Why? This is important.

You can smell the ocean.

[Sighs]

Fiends. That's what they are... fiends.

Only way you can handle them is to boost the ante.

Why, you could get 10 cents for them socks.

We advertised them for a nickel,

and we're gonna sell them for a nickel.

Alright. How you gonna keep them in hand?

Buy or stay out.

No more single pairs for a nickel.

20 pairs for $1. Who wants it?

Grimson! Light the lights.

We're going to be here till midnight.

Yes, sir.

[Paper rustling]

Man: Goodnight, Mr. pardway.

Goodnight, ma'am.

Goodnight. There you are.

Night, Mr. pardway.

See you in the morning.

Thank you, sir. Goodnight, sir.

Goodnight, ma'am.

That's your $2.

Man #2: Thank you, sir.

Goodnight.

Goodnight, ma'am. Goodnight.

Thanks.

Say, Mr. pardway, I like your store.

Mm-hmm.

I never worked in a store before.

I always carried packages, run errands,

always worked with my back, with my feet.

But I got...

Say, Mr. pardway, give me a chance.

I'd like to try.

You know, Chicago... It won't always have a fire.

If the city will grow, the store will grow.

After the sale, I'll work for you for $1 a day.

What's your name?

Ullman. Abe ullman.

I'll see you in the morning, Abe.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Thanks.

6:00!

[Daniel chuckles]

It's funny the things you find in the sweepings.

[Yawns]

Just a parting word... Early to bed and early to rise.

You never meet no interesting people.

[Thane whistling "oh! Susanna"]

You're a wonderful man, Daniel.

You'll do wonderful things.

Got to, Abby. [Chuckles]

Got more than myself to think of now.

Thinking about you and...

I know.

Maybe early in march.

[Chuckles]

[Baby cooing]

[Chuckles]

What you gonna call him?

Eugene.

Eugene Gabriel.

Gene "g."

Pity you didn't call him after me.

Well, I like him just the same. [Chuckles]

You know, he's kind of sort of got a look

that makes me feel that he's gonna be my boy.

Howdy, gene "g." [Smooches]

Well, son, you know what I'm gonna do for you?

I'm gonna take over that shack.

I'm going to start a line of men's.

Come, come, Ms. rumplemeyer. Get a wiggle on.

Well, little Phoebe,

times aren't so good for expansion just now,

but just the same we're going to start a missus department

for you right in this store.

[Indistinct conversations]

Ms. Schultz!

It is dresses you're handling, not dish towels!

There you are, Freddie.

You can go in there and buy any...

Hey, Mr. pardway. It occurs to me an idea.

What do you mean, interrupting me?

Don't you see I'm in conference?

What is it?

Well, it's very nice for you to build a wing

for each of your children,

but how are we going to raise the money?

Big sales.

"Big sales."

It's easy for you to talk,

but those big sales I have to make.

Well, you made them before, didn't you?

But you know what's going on?

Sure I do... a panic.

Yeah, the worst panic in the east.

Why, they're the greatest things in the world, eh, panics?

But you've got to be smart.

Buy bankrupt stocks.

* buy low, baby *

* sell high, "abey" *

but you're the general manager, aren't you?

Figure it out for yourself.

If you're not the man for the job,

hire me a general manager.

What general manager?

You need three, four,

and a general manager to general-manage

the general managers.

I'll be in there.

Call me if...

You're going to get well, Abby.

Then we'll pull out of here

and go and live in that fine, big house on the drive.

You and the children

will live in that big, fine house, Daniel...

not I.

My baby.

I want my baby.

[Baby coos]

So much to say.

So little...

[Baby coos]

Doctor!

Say, what in Sam hill...

Mustard plaster.

Freddie's got a cold.

What's the matter?

Haven't you got nurses and governesses

and maids and housekeepers?

Oh, now, thane, stop talking.

Go on over there and fill that hot-water bottle.

Oh, go on.

You know, I didn't come here to...

Condescend.

I feel like celebrating.

Celebrating what?

I don't need no what... Just celebrating.

Well, you celebrate being an Uncle.

Don't you want to come out with me and cut a dido?

Ah.

Load up.

First thing you know,

you're gonna get housemaid's knee.

Come on, thay.

We got to take care of those kids

until they learn how to take care of themselves.

Yeah, well, the way you're taking care of them,

they'll never be able to take care of themselves.

Somebody took care of you, didn't they?

Yeah, well, they just naturally couldn't help taking care of me.

Hey, Freddie!

Did daddy keep you waiting too long?

But my nose keeps running.

Your nose keeps running?

Well, we'll fix that.

Blow.

[Nose blows] There.

Now, that didn't hurt, did it?

Yes, but my nose keeps running.

[Laughs]

We're going to put a mustard plaster right there,

and you're going to get well.

Next year, you're going to kindergarten,

and won't be any time at all

before you're a great big boy with brass buttons, huh?

In military school.

Here you are, Fred.

From your brother, isn't it?

Yeah.

[Band playing up-tempo song]

[Whistling]

Hello, Bert.

Say, where's gene these days?

[Joyful music plays]

[Laughter]

To Phoebe!

[Laughs]

Gene!

[Chuckles]

Come on. We've got enough of Paris.

Let's go.

[Up-tempo music playing]

[Horn honking]

[Indistinct shouting]

Hey! Open the door! We want to be married!

Come on!

Man: Come on! We want to get married!

[Speaking indistinctly]

[Exciting music plays]

[Speaking indistinctly]

Last night in Europe.

Got to maintain friendly relations with foreign powers.

More where that comes from.

And where does it come from?

[Laughs] The old bazaar!

[Laughs]

I've only been away a little time,

and look at that.

Why, he must be crazy.

Where is that...?

[Laughs]

Say, are you crazy?

No.

What does this mean?

Where did you get them? How much?

Kalinski and Minsk, the dress manufacturers.

Well, this time they manufacturer the bankruptcy.

I got the goods on them.

So, instead of making them a lawsuit,

made them a price.

Mm. $1?

[Chuckles] Yes.

How about the $50 dresses, the $100 dresses?

Out-of-style dresses from stock.

How do you keep from having them snatched?

I feed them in, one every hour.

Say, if it's the store you are worrying about,

leave it to me.

Worry about that big party you are giving tonight.

How do you know I'm giving a big party?

Well, you are reading what I am doing,

and I am reading what you are doing.

Oh, Mr. pardway, I feel a breeze.

[Chuckles] Well, what's the matter?

It seems we're not wanted. This is for the family.

[Indistinct conversations]

Oh, Uncle thay!

Does my hair look alright, Freddie?

Miss Phoebe, please.

Well, Daniel, you ought to be a very happy man...

Raised four wonderful children,

made yourself the biggest business in Chicago,

best people doing the honor,

whole world dancing to your tune.

No, no, no!

No, no, no, not so stiff.

Mr. pardway, please, I know my business.

Oh, come on, dad. Sit in with us.

No, no, son.

No, no, I want this to be just you children.

Now, I'm going up to my room.

I'll meet you all there.

Mr. pardway, please.

You are making me very nervous.

Alright, I'll leave it all to you.

I'm sure it is within my scope.

Now, little gentlemen, don't fidget, please.

That's splendid.

[Flashbulb pops]

Thank you.

Thane: Bert, you squinted.

Yes. Once more, please.

[Sighs]

Well, Abby, I did my best for them.

[Laughter in distance]

[Indistinct conversations]

Yes, she did, because I saw her.

You all look so young...

And strong and beautiful.

But you can't stay that way.

No one can.

But one thing you can do... You can make good.

Freddie, next year you go to college.

Bert, you've got your diploma,

and now you can have that trip abroad.

Phoebe, I hope you have a wonderful life.

Be a good wife and mother.

Take your place in society.

Be somebody and have sons and daughters that...

That are somebody.

And you, gene, my strong son...

What are you going to do?

Well, governor, uh,

you know Uncle thay is putting on one of his campaigns.

Spoke to me at dinner about, uh, helping him out.

I'd, uh, like to...

Yes, yes, yes.

Well, I guess that's alright for a starter, gene.

[Chuckles]

Little general business experience won't hurt you any.

Uh...

Look here. I want to ask you something.

Is there anything you've ever wanted

that I haven't given you?

Phoebe: No, daddy.

Of course not, governor.

Well, son, life's give and take.

There's just one thing I want from you.

Come here.

Ever since you were kids, it's been my ambition,

my hope that someday you boys would take over.

Hello, Abe.

What's on your mind?

Well, I, uh...

I [Chuckles]

You know, it's founders' day today. [Chuckles]

And it's my... my anniversary, Mr. pardway.

Silver wedding, golden wedding...

I don't know.

But anyway, I am married to this store for a long time.

And, you know, I am kind of a man

that has no wife, no children.

Nobody means anything to me,

and I don't mean nothing to nobody.

Oh, Abe.

My whole life is this store.

Come to think of it, Abe, you're right.

But you don't have to give me a sales talk.

[Chuckles] You'll get your raise.

Did I ever ask for a raise?

No, Abe, you haven't.

If it isn't a raise, what is it?

Well, it's, uh... It's hard to say.

Why?

Well, you might think it's, uh...

Oh, come along, Abe. Speak up. Speak up.

Well, I was thinking,

and the only thing I really care to have...

Yeah?

Is a share of this store.

You'd like a share of the store, huh?

[Chuckles] Don't blame you.

That'd be something to have.

Yes. Yeah.

But you ain't gonna get it.

No?

No.

Why? Don't you think I am entitled to it?

Well, maybe you are.

But this store is for my boys.

I made it for them, and I'll save it for them.

Why, I wouldn't sell or give away a speck of this store,

not for my everlasting salvation.

Now, that's flat.

I'll tell you, Abe...

Write yourself a new contract...

$50,000 a year for life.

Isn't that enough?

[Softly] Yes.

Well, what's the matter, then?

I don't make it out. I don't get you, Abe.

Why try?

Grimson!

Yes... yes, sir?

Gene... where's ge... I told you to get me gene.

I did try, sir.

Well? He isn't home, sir.

Well, try his club.

I'm sorry, sir, but he isn't at his club.

Well, where is he?

Well, sir... well...

Well, what?

He's at... That place, sir, 2661.

Well, go and get him and bring him here.

Here.

Yes, sir.

[Mid-tempo orchestral music playing]

Be right back.

[Music box playing tune]

How did you know?

Daniel: The whole town knows.

There's always people willing to tell you things like that.

Sorry, governor. Didn't mean to embarrass you.

Oh, never mind me. How about yourself?

You going to divorce your wife

and take up with a woman like that?

Would you?

Why, if I loved her,

if my heart went to blazes every time I saw her,

no matter who she was or what she was,

I'd make a new life for her.

I'd give her the protection of my name

and place in society.

I'd raise her up.

I believe you would.

Yeah. But you won't.

Why?

Can you take the truth?

Uh-huh.

I haven't got the guts.

I see.

Explains everything.

You get mixed up with a woman like that,

a man's bound to shirk his job.

Not shirking. Doing fine with Uncle thay.

That isn't your job.

Your job's here,

right here in this store.

Here you got something...

Land and property,

thousands of people doing your bidding,

hundreds of thousands buying your goods,

millions and millions of dollars pouring over your counters.

Here you can be sure.

Here you know you're going to amount to something.

You see, gene...

all my hopes right there.

Of course, he's just a boy.

Bert's in Europe.

Phoebe [Chuckles] She's a woman.

So, you see, gene, it's up to you.

Woman: To an old pardway customer.

[Man chuckles]

[Indistinct conversations]

[Up-tempo music playing]

Woman #2: I'm gonna get drunk and...

Woman #3: How about it?

[Laughter]

Hey, you're my friend.

You're my pal.

Drink hearty, boys and girls.

Absolutely last appearance.

Prince of good fellas on primrose path.

After tonight...

Straight and narrow.

[Laughter]

Family man... that's me.

Want to be just like my old man.

Merchant prince of windy city...

That's me.

That's the stuff, gene.

You tell it to Violet.

And when I tell them, they stay told.

See you later.

[Telephone rings]

Hello?

Uh-huh.

Did he go?

Yes, sir.

Just now, sir.

Oh, yes, sir.

Old faithful, you know, sir.

[Chuckles]

[Crying]

You cry pretty, vi.

Cry pretty.

And the tears rolled down her cheek,

right down the cheek.

[Chuckles]

[Chuckles bitterly]

That's the stuff, honey.

Tears. Idle tears.

What do they mean?

Laugh.

[Both laugh]

Attagirl, vi.

I just love to see you laugh.

Laugh and show your gold tooth, vi!

Oh!

[Both laughing]

Oh, it's a... it's a...

It's a wonderful thing t-t-to laugh.

[Laughing continues]

[Laughing stops]

Let's play animals, vi.

Ooh!

You're a tigress, and you're afraid of me, see?

[Both laughing]

Now! Oop!

[Both laughing]

Oop!

Oop!

Oop! [Laughs]

Oop!

[Both laughing]

Love you.

Love the things we do.

They're low, see?

Low.

Me, gene Gabriel pardway.

Oh, gene... Me.

You make me low, see?!

But, gene, honey...

And I'm ashamed, see?

Ashamed.

Honey, I don't...

And I'm through, see?!

Through!

Through, see?

Through!

Gene, here comes your old man!

[Gunshot]

[Exhales heavily]

Dead as a doornail.

Get out.

Go on. Get out!

Oh, no, you don't!

Now, you listen to me.

Daniel: Well, Bert,

you've been first in the mornings

and last at night.

You're alright.

And you've got to be.

You see, gene's...

Well, he's down there with your Uncle thay.

Phoebe's divorced

and [Chuckles] going to marry a prince.

You got to do sort of double duty here.

I got a big job for you, Bert.

It'll be kind of hard at first, but I want you to try.

Well, I've always tried, father.

Right, Bert, you have.

You always have tried, and just keep plugging along,

and you're bound to make good.

From now on, you're assistant general manager.

[Device ticking]

* silent night *

* holy night *

* all is calm *

* all is bright *

* round yon virgin, mother and child *

assistant general manager of the bazaar,

trimming the tree.

Well, I thought you'd rather have me do it

than one of the servants.

Sure, Bert. Sure.

* sleep in heavenly peace *

* sleep in heavenly peace *

Fred: Throw it at him with both hands.

I'm gonna blow the lid off.

King or a bum... That's me.

Hello, pop.

* good king wenceslas looked out *

* on the feast of Stephen *

is Uncle thay ready to leave?

* when the snow lay round about *

* deep and crisp and even *

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas to thay

if he couldn't take those baskets

to the poor.

Always doing something for somebody, that man.

Heart as big as a whale.

Hey, have you seen this?

I own that paper for today.

There's a thrill in that.

I want you to come down tonight and see what's going on.

Why?

That...

And that...

And that.

Why, they ain't never going to see anything like that.

Looks like a big evening for the help.

You bet it's a big evening.

It's time you came down

and learned something about that store.

And this, my boy, is something to see.

[Indistinct conversations]

Man: Say, can't I get waited on?

Woman: You're going to love this.

But, madame, I have shown you everything I have.

Man #2: Baby blue, size 48 plus.

Probably send him an umbrella anyhow.

She's either gonna sit down or fall down.

Woman #2: I once read he was a man, 78 and bed-ridden.

You want to exchange a baby's kiss for forbidden love?

Yes.

[Conversations continue]

I thought so.

Can't you see it's already 10:00?

Close price.

Are you a Santa claus?

Or are you a tramp we picked up for $2.50

or... or... Or are you a Santa claus?!

"Santa claus."

Rip van winkle.

Stand up!

Smile.

More!

Now don't lose it.

Woman: I'm tired of waiting, ma'am.

Ms. gratz, nine customers are waiting for change!

I can't get no change!

Man: Auction! Auction!

[Indistinct shouting]

Hello.

How are you this merry, merry Christmas Eve?

What's it to you?

Oh, I'm interested.

The whole thing...

Very interesting, amazing picture.

Yeah. A picture.

And I suppose I'm a hot sketch.

Funny, ain't it?

I'm sorry.

May I have my package, please?

Haven't you got my package ready yet?

Yes, just a minute.

Tired?

You think I got iron feet?

You know how long I've been standing here?

And you can just stand there...

[Voice breaking] And look at me and smile.

Woman: Package, please.

Woman #2: My package, please.

[Inhales sharply] I hate you!

I hate all of you!

Get a coat, somebody, quick!

Better?

Uh-huh.

Sore?

No. Why?

Well, because I...

I couldn't stand it.

You stood there like life was always beautiful to you.

Well, it is.

And you laughed...

Like you never done nothing but laugh.

Laugh some more.

[Chuckles] What for?

Go on. Just laugh.

[Laughs]

What's your name?

Mamie. Mamie donahue.

Like it?

You know, you're the first guy that was ever nice to me.

You think that's nice?

Sure. Don't you?

Oh.

"Oh" what?

No.

Why not?

May never be like this again.

Just like...

this.

[Bell chiming "silent night"]

Three in there, Kelly.

Right, sir.

[Chiming continues]

[Grunting]

[Bucket clangs]

Well, it's a new year.

They're going to have a new deal.

I've been thinking things over since your Uncle thay...

And it made me realize

that people love what belongs to them.

And I want you all to love what belongs to you.

I...

Well, there's no use making a long talk about it.

I've had the bazaar incorporated,

100 shares in all.

Gene...

I'm going to let bygones be bygones.

I'd given up all thought to you coming in to the store,

but, well, while there's life, there's hope.

10 shares for you, son.

Phoebe...

There's your 10.

Anytime Nick would like to try his hand

at learning the business, why...

Bert, there are your 10.

[Sighs]

Well, Freddie, you worked up fast.

You punch your first time clock this morning,

become an owner at noon.

Why, governor, I never thought... but, daddy...

No, no, no, no, no. I-i don't want any thanks.

All I ask of you is to do something

that'll make me thank you.

Well, Abe, what do you think of it?

I'm jealous.

I don't mind telling you, I am jealous.

If you only knew.

Ah.

Well, Bert, I never like to take a man's job away from him

to give you an opportunity.

You seem lucky.

Here's a chance made to order for you.

Oh, I hope it's nothing serious.

Is that all it means to you?

Well, I like clarkson.

He was very nice to me while I was in London.

Yes, yes, yes, but when can you start?

Oh.

Well, father, I'd like to talk to you about that.

I...

Well, go ahead.

Father, I don't want to go to London.

I don't want to be assistant general manager any longer.

I would like to be transferred to the...

Go on.

Display department.

Window trimmin'?

But, father, I like window trimming.

I don't like anything else.

I don't care how hard I work.

Can't I work at what I like?

Alright, Bert.

[Chuckles]

Window trimming.

Woman: Yes, Mr. pardway?

Send Freddie up to me.

Sorry, sir, but Mr. Freddie did not come to work today.

Well, find ullman. I want to talk to him.

Yes, sir.

[Click]

Mr. pardway wants to talk to you.

Hello?

How should I know?

Hello! Hello!

He didn't like that.

I-I hope you'll excuse me, sir...

My years of service.

A very delicate matter, sir... A lady, sir...

Well, uh, not exactly a lady... She's been saying...

Oh, speak up, grimson. Speak up!

It's about master Frederick, sir.

You mean my...?

Yes, sir.

What's she been saying?

Well, sir...

Get her up here.

Yes, sir.

Hmm.

Grimson.

Have you ever had any children?

On my salary, sir?

[Chuckles]

[Door closes]

Is your name donahue? Yeah.

Mr. pardway wants you in his office right away.

[Indistinct conversations]

Donahue got sent for by the old man.

Well, she's certainly been shooting her mouth off.

She'll get the can tied to her, alright.

Don't look at me. Look at that, why don't you?

You seen him since?

Yeah. I seen him.

Where?

In the store...

When he's here.

Has he seen you?

Who, me? Ha!

No, mister, he don't see me.

Even when he looks straight at me,

he don't see me.

Hmm.

Well, that's that.

Aw, don't I even get...

I'll give you something else.

You need money, I suppose.

Do you think that could make it up to me?

Will you take it?

Sure, I'll take it.

But it won't make nothing up to me.

Will you stop talking?

No.

Why not?

I don't feel like it.

Ah.

I see.

Now, if I hear you've opened your mouth again, I'll...

Don't worry. I'm dumb.

And you needn't bother to fire me.

I quit.

So long, papa.

[Whistling]

It's 3:00.

Why, so it is.

So it is.

Before you know, it'll be easter.

It creeps up on you.

Do you think you'll punch time in the morning?

Oh, most unlikely, most unlikely.

I'll punch time by lunchtime.

Ah, how's that?

Extemporaneous lyric.

Sit down.

Mind if I stand?

It's a tough night for sailors.

Sit down!

You ever seen that?

[Scoffs lightly]

I shouldn't be surprised

if this gives you the opportunity

to refer to those sweepings in your basement.

Come on. Say it.

Never mind. I'll say it for you.

I'm no good.

I don't take life seriously.

I won't work.

And now, to make matters worse,

I've ruined an innocent girl.

Correct?

Correct.

And you'd like to know what I'm gonna do about it.

Well, I'll tell you.

Exactly nothing,

about any of it.

I'm sorry, father,

but this isn't gonna be easy for you.

No?

No.

I've never made you empty promises like gene.

I've never made weak attempts like Bert.

I've never tried to be anything but what I wanted to be.

I never will.

There's no use pumping yourself up to rage at me.

I don't see things the way you do.

I don't believe in your fine moral principles,

any of them.

I don't like to punch time,

and I don't like to have you punch time at me.

I don't like to work in your store, and I don't...

Get out!

Get out!!

Goodnight, father.

[Tragic music plays]

[Whistling]

Hello, bums.

News of society...

A prince and a princess... Baloney.

Reading about your pals, hey, buddy?

I used to know those people.

Yeah? I think I met the prince and princess myself,

on board the yacht of the king of siam.

I used to...

Yeah? What was the matter?

Wasn't the tips good,

or did the mistress catch you making love

to the French maid?

[Chuckles]

People like that bored me.

I wanted to know other kinds.

I was so interested in life.

I got to know all sorts of people,

all sorts of places.

I lost myself somewhere along the way.

Now I only know...

People like...

[Doorbell rings]

[Clears throat]

Oh, hello, Daniel!

Hello, Abe.

Hello.

Taking Sunday night off?

Yeah.

Sit down. Sit down.

Thanks.

Wait a minute. I got something for you.

Eh?

[Chuckles]

Same old place.

Funny thing, Abe,

a man like you with all your money...

Home like this.

Home?

[Train chugging]

That's more my home.

[Chuckles]

You know, some friends of mine

wanted me to go to the concert tonight with them

at the auditorium, but...

You know, Abe,

I think I'll sell that place of mine on the drive.

Uh-huh?

Yeah.

Children all married now and got homes of their own.

I rattle around in that old house

like a pea in a shoe box.

[Chuckles]

I'd be a lot more comfortable at the club.

Too bad.

What?

You are so lonely that you had to come to me.

I am sorry for you.

Sorry?

For me?

[Chuckles]

That's funny.

I was just thinking I was sorry for you.

For me? Why?

You're getting old, Abe.

[Chuckles]

So are you.

Yeah.

But I ain't a hired man.

[Chuckles]

You're not thinking of, uh...

Firing you?

Why, you're not anxious, are you, Abe?

Anxious? Me anxious?

Yeah, you... you look sort of concerned, Abe.

Concerned?

Fear, Abe...

That's a thing a man can't hide.

Well [Chuckles]

If you're not thinking of firing me,

why should I be afraid?

Because someday...

My sons are going to own that store.

So, when you owned it,

I was a manager for you.

When they will own it,

I will be manager for them.

[Chuckling] Yeah.

Only they don't think so.

You know, old man, best days over.

Young people don't understand.

Of course, you're safe as long as I'm here,

but after that, when they come in, you go out.

I go out?

I go out?

I go out?!

I felt so bad about my children...

I took it out on you.

Yes, I went too far.

Yes. You went too far.

All the same, it might be true.

It wouldn't surprise me.

When they come in, you go out.

Wrong.

Well, maybe, but...

No "maybe," no "but."

Now, look here, Abe.

I've said I was sorry.

You're right. You will be sorry.

Now I'll tell you something.

Those no-good sons of yours don't put Abe ullman out.

No?

No.

Not even you...

Not even you don't put Abe ullman out.

You made that store,

and I made that store.

You love that store,

and I love that store.

You own that store, and I own that store.

Now you know how it feels

to listen to another man speak

and not understand what he says.

Only I won't torture you the way you tortured me.

I'll tell you right now.

You gave to your son Fred 10 shares.

After you kicked him out, I bought them.

You gave to your daughter Phoebe 10 shares.

She gave it to her prince.

Before she kicked him out, I bought them!

So, they'll throw me out, eh?

Getting old, eh?

Mr. pardway?

Mr. pardway?!

[Sad music plays]

You know what I've been doing all this while?

Waiting for y'all to get here?

I've been playing with blocks,

putting them up and taking them down again.

Story of my life, right there,

topped off with money,

power [Chuckles] pride.

You know what you were...

you gene,

you Bert, Phoebe?

You know what you were, all of you?

The pillars holding me up.

You know what I am...

Now?

Every one of you failed me.

Wouldn't say that, governor.

I ain't asking you what you'd say.

I brought you back from all hell

and gone to the ends of the earth,

and I intend to do the talking.

You were my eldest.

[Clicks tongue]

What great things I expected of you, gene.

Well, governor, my life isn't over yet.

I hope not.

Mine...

Mine is.

Oh, daddy, don't say that, please.

And you, Phoebe...

You a princess.

I was just a rich man

that bought the prince

and paid for the fancy trimmings.

Oh, things go wrong.

I'm not blaming you for that, but...

this.

To bring shame on me and...

[Sighs]

Bert...

I've got nothing again you.

One thing I know... You tried.

Of course your... Your mind wasn't on real things.

[Chuckles]

You wanted to fuss around with trimming windows.

Taken all in all,

I got nothing against you.

The one that tried didn't have it in him.

Bring me some water.

[Glass thuds]

[Phoebe cries]

Ullman...

It was like taking candy from a baby

to take stock from...

That...

[Crying continues]

Or...

Why don't you kick him out, governor?!

And who's going to run the store?

You? [Chuckles]

You each got your 10 shares.

And I'm leaving you...

All of you... Millions in cash and bonds.

Do what you like with them.

Fritter them away.

But the store...

The store has to go on.

[Crying continues]

My sons... any one of them...

Got six months to make good in it.

If they don't,

the shares that I kept for myself...

Go to...

You.

Now get out.

Daniel.

[Crying continues]

Each one of you part of me...

My strength,

my way of dreaming things,

my steadiness,

and my stubborn pride...

like I was a...

A rope made out of four strands,

each one of them part of me

and each one, by himself, nothing...

Threads of good material

that never came to anything...

Like the strips of silk in the sweepings.

[Clicks tongue]

If you ever have sons and daughters like you,

you'll know how I feel now.

And it don't seem so many years ago

you all looked so...

Beautiful, so young and strong.

Goodbye, gene, strong old son.

Goodbye, Bert that played on my knee.

Bye, Phoebe, darling.

[Chuckles]

Bye, Fred, prince of my dreams.

[Sighs]

[Phoebe crying]

Asleep?

I'll try, father.