Original subtitles

[theme music]

I don't know about you, but I myself am an absolute dreams

of glory addict.

Sometimes, I cause chaos at the Olympics

by high jumping 30 feet, or I stagger the whole musical world

with my great symphonies.

I have literally hundreds of these lovely little glory

dreams to choose from.

The best time to use them is in bed, at night,

when reality is suspended.

Because then, if you get a good one,

you go drifting off to sleep in a state of supreme ecstasy.

[quiet chatter]

Mr. Clements?

Yes?

They told me I'd find you here.

Botibol.

I'm sorry, but I--

William Botibol.

B as in Brooklyn, O Oliver, T Tommy, I Idaho, B Brooklyn,

O Oliver, L as in love.

Botibol.

Oh, Mr. Botibol.

Of course.

Do forgive me.

I was miles away.

Please, don't apologize.

I'm easily forgettable.

No, no.

It's just the light in here.

Why they keep it so dark at lunchtime, I shall never know.

I couldn't see you. Sit down.

Let me get you a drink. - Oh, no.

Thank you. I never drink at lunchtime.

Never, no.

I just came to give you my decision.

Oh, good.

Good, you've um-- you've made it.

A decision.

Yes, about the offer that you made to me last week.

That was subject to negotiation, Mr. Botibol.

I'm not going to negotiate.

I've decided to accept your offer.

You have?

Yes!

To sell Botibol and Company.

And the subsidiary company, the one in America?

Especially the American company.

That's wonderful!

Let me congratulate you.

It's the right decision.

Well, you're a rich man now.

This calls for a celebration.

No, thank you.

I'd better be getting along.

I've instructed my lawyers--

I insist that you have a drink.

Two large martinis, please. - No.

Please, Mr. Clements. I'd rather not.

I insist!

No.

No, I hardly drink at all.

And never in the middle of the day.

Oh, come on.

No.

No.

No, no.

Nope.

[quiet chatter continues]

I envy you, Mr. Clements.

Me?

Why?

I'll tell you why.

I'm listening.

Success.

Success?

You, sir, appear to me, sir, to have made a success

of your whole life, sir.

(LAUGHS) Oh, no no.

I'm a very ordinary person.

Oh.

Don't tell me what it is to be ordinary.

I am the most ordinary person you'll ever meet.

I am much more ordinary than you are.

I am very, very, very ordinary.

Two more martinis, please.

I'd like to ask you this one question.

Ask away.

Tell me honestly now.

Is it possible for someone to reach my age without having

experienced even one single, small success

in anything he has done?

Oh, everyone has a little success from time to time.

(CHUCKLES) Me?

I, Botibol-- nothing, no.

No.

I have not had success in anything at all.

Never.

Well that's not true.

I-- even today, you just sold your business to my clients

for 200,000 pounds.

I call that one hell of a success.

Oh, not my business.

No, my uncle's business.

May he rest in peace.

See, nine years ago, he was dying.

They traced me to Kansas as his only living relation.

That business was worth four times what it is today.

And under my management, it had lost 3/4 of its value.

If I didn't sell it to you now, next year I'd be dead broke.

(LAUGHS) Broke.

No, I-- I am the most unsuccessful man in the world.

I believe you've got this all out of perspective.

I-- I mean, thousands of things count as success.

Things like catching a good fish or fixing

the motor of your car.

Waiter, could I have my bill, please?

Or pleasing someone with a present,

or winning a small bet, or--

or a good round of golf.

My handicap is 49.

What about women, Mr. Botibol?

Women?

Yes, women.

Every man under the sun-- even the most wretched, down and out

tramp-- has at some time or other

had some silly little success with women.

Never!

Well, don't you like them?

Like them?

Oh, dear me.

Oh-- well yes, I like them.

I like women.

It's just [inaudible]---- well I don't know how to say this,

but I just don't seem to get along with them.

I-- I mean, I can't get within striking distance of them.

Oh, but there was this girl in high school, in Kansas City.

Well it's been very nice to do business with you, Mr. Botibol.

But I'm afraid I've got to rush.

Another little matter I have to sort out for my masters.

But don't you worry, Mr. Botibol.

You are a rich man now.

The girls will soon come running.

I prefer music.

You realize that every name of every great composer

begins with a B?

Bach, Beethoven, Brahms--

Goodbye, Mr. Botibol.

--Berlioz, Bartok, Britten.

[audience cheering]

A huge audience applauding, waiting for him to conduct

his own free symphony.

He bows.

The great conductor and composer, a living legend.

Botibol!

The natural successor of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms.

He taps his baton.

The orchestra is ready.

Botibol's first symphony.

[classical music playing]

[clearing throat]

[music continues]

Um, put the tray on the table, Mason, would you please?

I'm afraid I can't hear you, sir.

The music is rather loud.

I said, put the tray on the table, Mason.

Thank you very much.

[music continues]

I must say, that was fun.

Really was.

[music continues]

I'll do it.

No.

It's crazy!

But it's not crazy if you do it private.

I mean, who's to know?

Mason?

The heck with Mason.

He probably does a few crazy things himself.

[music continues]

I wonder.

I wonder.

[hammering]

What's going on here?

Some guy setting up in competition

with the festival hall?

[hammering continues]

[applause]

[classical music playing]

Yes, it did seem to go very well, didn't it?

What should you call me?

Well, I prefer maestro.

Thank you, thank you.

Yes, the success has been amazing and very gratifying.

My colleague, Leonard Bernstein--

another great composer whose name begins with a B--

Bernstein was telling me the other day

that he simply has to include a Botibol

symphony in every program.

It's because it's just what the people want these days.

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

Music is my life.

It just seems to make me very happy.

No.

No, my father didn't want me to be a musician.

But I wish he were alive today to hear people call me maestro.

Well, that's very kind of you.

Thank you.

Well, we're all laborers in the--

[door chimes]

Morning.

Um, could you tell me-- do you, uh, sell things conductors use?

Batons?

Certainly, sir.

Would you like to come this way?

What did sir have in mind?

Something simple for the Youth Orchestra to follow?

Oh, no.

I want the real thing.

Give me something Leonard Bernstein might use.

Leonard Bernstein.

How about this one, sir?

Oh yes.

Yes! Yes, that'll do.

Thank you.

Is there anything else, sir?

We stock a full range of musical instruments, sheet music.

How about that piano?

Yes, sir.

Uh, this gentleman is interested in purchasing a concert grand.

Then he's come to the right place.

This particular instrument has a lovely tone.

[piano music playing]

Good!

That's nice!

I'll take it.

How soon can you have it delivered?

Tapes.

I want some tapes.

Tapes.

Yes, sir.

I want the tapes of all of Chopin's etudes,

waltzes, and nocturnes.

All?

All.

Just one moment, sir.

This gentleman will serve you, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I love Chopin.

I think he's my favorite. - Yes.

I like the nocturnes the best.

Oh, yes.

Uh, yes.

The nocturnes.

They'll be ready in a minute, sir.

Oh, good.

Now then, could I just have your name and address, please?

Botibol.

B is in Brooklyn, O Oliver, T Tommy, I Idaho, B Brooklyn,

O Oliver, L as in love.

Botibol.

You're American?

Yes!

Oh, that's a very nice name.

Mine's terrible.

Wrzaszcyzk.

Wrzaszcyzk?

Mm, my father's Polish.

How do you spell that?

W as in Wyoming, R as in, uh--

Z-A-S-Z-C-Y-Z-K. Yes, I believe it's quite common in Poland.

Are you over here on holiday?

No, I live here.

Oh!

Thank you.

Well, I must say I envy you all those tapes.

I'm building up my Chopin collection

one record at a time.

Well, perhaps you could--

um-- well, well I was wondering if someday

you'd like to come along and listen to these tapes?

Well how nice of you.

Do you really mean it?

Oh yes!

Oh, I'd love it.

It-- it would be nice if you could come.

When could you come?

Well, I could come tomorrow.

Tomorrow would be lovely.

That's fine.

I'll give you my card.

Oh, lovely.

What time shall I come tomorrow? - Oh, any time.

Any time at all.

3 o'clock?

Yes!

It's 3 o'clock.

Lovely.

Well, I'll be there.

Thank you.

Good day.

Good day.

[cars driving by]

Mason?

Yes, sir?

Mason, I'm expecting a young lady

to call tomorrow afternoon.

A what, sir?

A young lady, Mason.

Very good, sir.

She'll be here at 3 o'clock.

Her name is almost unpronounceable.

It's full of Cs and Zs, Miss Wrzaszcyzk.

Wrzaszcyzk.

Yes.

Don't bother to announce her.

Just show her in the concert room.

I'll be waiting there for her.

I want to surprise her.

Very good, sir.

Oh, um--

Mason, do we have any wine in the house?

Wine, sir?

Wine, Mason.

No, sir.

We haven't had any wine in this house

these 15 or 16 years, sir.

Yes.

Ever since your uncle expressed--

I know, I know, Mason.

I know, but will you get some, please?

I'm asking the young lady for dinner.

Very good, sir.

And, uh, what shall it be?

A claret, Mason-- the best you can get.

Get a case!

Tell them to deliver at once.

[bell ringing]

My goodness, a concert hall!

Hello!

I'm so glad you could come!

Oh, Mr. Botibol, how exciting!

Do you like it?

Oh yes!

You have a concert grand.

May I look?

Oh, please.

It's all right, Mason.

You can go now.

Do you give concerts here often?

As often as I like.

You see, I feel that in order to appreciate a great composer,

you have to listen to every single note

and imagine that you composed it yourself.

Do you mean you invite famous musicians here,

and they give recitals just for you?

No, n-- not exactly.

No, I see.

You give recitals here yourself.

You're a pianist!

I knew it.

I knew it, I knew it.

I knew you'd understand, Miss, uh--

Miss-- - Irene.

William.

William Botibol.

Yes, that has a musical sound.

Do you think so?

Do you really think so?

Yes, definitely.

Well, the truth is, Irene that I--

Go on.

You'll laugh at me.

No, I won't.

I promise.

You'll think I'm crazy.

Tell me.

Here-- this place, this concert hall--

is where I am happiest.

Here, I can truly be myself or, rather,

whoever it is I want to be.

I don't quite understand.

Do you ever think how wonderful

it would be to compose a great piece of music?

Oh, yes.

Or perhaps you've imagined yourself a great pianist.

Well, yes.

Here, all your dreams come true!

[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING FROM STEREO]

Imagine if you composed this yourself.

Imagine if you were playing it yourself!

Watch, watch.

Watch.

[classical music continues]

You think I'm ridiculous.

No, I don't.

Why do you laugh?

I was thinking what fun!

Then try it!

Please, try it. Stand up.

Come to the piano. - No, I daren't.

Please. Please try it.

Try it.

Play like-- play like Schnabel.

Play like Horowitz.

Play like-- play like Irene Wrzaszcyzk.

[classical piano playing]

[applause and cheering]

Bravo!

Bravo!

Stand up and bow, please.

Stand up, bow.

Please.

[cheering continues]

I have a wonderful idea.

We play a piano concerto together.

You play the piano, I'll conduct.

It will be a marvelous occasion.

The audience will go mad! Please?

Please, will you do it, Miss Wrzaszcyzk?

Irene?

Irene, please.

Will you?

Will you?

I'm sorry.

I get worked up.

Please.

Please, will you play the piano concerto with me?

It's like children.

No one will know.

Nobody else but us will know!

All right.

I'll do it.

I think I'm mad, but I'll do it just the same.

It'll be a bit of a lark.

Tonight.

Yes, all right.

Tonight.

Good.

Good, tonight.

Come back and have dinner with me.

We'll give the concert afterwards.

Which is your favorite piano concerto?

Well, um-- the, the Grieg A minor.

Good!

The Grieg.

You'll play it tonight.

Dinner will be at 7, evening dress.

I've got a dancing dress, but I haven't worn it for years.

You shall wear it tonight!

[symphony tuning over stereo]

[applause]

[baton tapping]

[classical music playing]

[classical piano playing]

[symphony playing softly]

WILLIAM (VOICEOVER): The great conductor and his lady,

Mr. And Mrs. Botibol.

Mr. and Mrs. Yes.

Yes, she's a kindred spirit.

Mr. and Mrs. Botibol.

[MUSIC BECOMES DISTORTED AND SLOW]

[tape recording clicks]

[irene playing piano]

You can play?

You really can play!

Not-- not well, no.

You can.

I saw you.

You can actually play!

But not like a professional.

You went along with it just--

just to make fun of me.

No, I didn't.

To humiliate me!

Never!

You should've told me you could play.

But I can't.

I promise I can't play well.

I only teach children at the Academy.

The Academy!

Yes, the Music Academy.

I teach the piano.

Oh, Mr. Botibol, I--

I've always wanted to be a great pianist.

Perhaps tomorrow, I could be Lympany,

and you can be Bernstein.

Please.

You better leave now, Miss Wrzaszcyzk.

But--

No.

No, I'm sorry.

It's not going to work.

Please, go away.

I mean, you're a success in your own way.

I'm a failure.

Your music is real.

My-- mine's fantasy.

It's two different worlds.

Impossible.

[hitting stereo]

[classical music playing]