Department Store (I grandi magazzini)

DEPARTMENT STORE

Ground floor!

- Excuse me, do you sell raincoats? - Third floor on the left.

- There's an elevator. - Thank you.

Seventh floor! Bargains, sales, offices.

This way. When I found out that they wanted to take you on as an employee

I spoke to the husband of the niece of the sister of an employee,

who's friends with the Assistant Manager, who's close to the Managing Director.

That's why they called me as well, because they want my word.

And I'll vouch for you, just as long as you don't make me look silly, okay?

- Gaetano, what do you want? - The director is waiting for us.

- Good morning, Miss. - Morning, Gaetano.

I have Mr. Bruno Zecchi here with me. A driver, the one from the accident.

Ah, you're the one who almost killed the director?

- No, it was him who almost killed me. - Yes, I was joking.

- It looks like that position will be yours. - Of course, he'll have my word.

What word?

Go on and tell the director I'm here, he's waiting for me.

Yes, I know he's waiting for you. Excuse me?

What's with that ironic tone?

Whenever I see a girl like that, and there are loads here,

with the perm, the painted fingernails, it makes me nauseous.

- She's cute, though. - Yeah, cute...

I'll give you some advice, because you seem like the type who likes his women.

If you're working here and don't want trouble, keep away from the women...

- Mr. Zecchi, you may go in. - Well, that was quick.

Excuse me?

- Excuse me? - No, just Mr. Zecchi.

Why?

And who's going to vouch for him now? Poor kid, he's a friend of mine.

Just wait a moment, they'll call you soon.

Okay, I see.

- Good morning, Mr. Bertini. - Morning.

- Morning, Mr. Bertini. - Good morn...

What are you doing here? Have they called you already?

- No, but they'll call me soon. - Ah, I see.

Considering the results in the medical report,

we thought that perhaps it would be right...

- Good morning. - Morning, Bertini.

Director...

Anyway, for the damages we have decided on a figure of 6,000 liras.

Sir, it was a very serious collision. Ask the director here.

I have lesions that won't heal for 15 days, and that's without complications.

- There haven't been any complications. - Yes, but when it rains...

well, Sir, the leg doesn't work properly.

- You're in pain, then? - Very much,

Mr. Director, S-Sir...

And even now, if I make a movement like this...

- Laterally? - Yes, laterally, Sir. Laterally.

See, at home my wife doesn't even want to believe me.

She says that I'm exaggerating,

but they're very sharp pains, especially in the arm.

- Violent pains... - Close to the bone?

Close to the bone, even inside it. They're pains, Sir, that I've never...

Okay, okay, let's not get off topic, Mr. Zecchi.

Don't forget that as well as the 6,000 liras

we're offering you an important, stable position in our department store.

Of course.

But the two of us are already in agreement, isn't that right, boy?

- Show him where to sign. - Very well, this way.

Sir, if I may, there is also that warden outside who I reported.

Show him in.

Mr. Director, gentlemen, I'm ready to give you my word that this young man...

I feel the need to mention once again your problems when it comes to

understanding the duties required of you as a warden.

What?

Why were you drinking on duty? That's something I cannot tolerate.

It was just a drop, I was alone at night in the cold, it's not that serious.

Serious enough for me to suggest that you should be fired.

Me, fired?

Mr. Director, as you know I've been working in this store for 20 years,

and I drank just once... - Not just once.

Are you implying that I'm an alcoholic, that I drink?

- Ask anyone... - I can vouch for him, he's a good man.

Very well, I'll be lenient. Just a small fine, Bertini.

- Make it the last time, Gaetano. - Thank you, Director.

- The last time. - He already told me.

Thanks again.

A fine of 50 liras, then. Come with me to the accounts department.

50 liras? 25 liras for every liter. What was it, champagne?

- Don't worry, I'll pay it. - Thanks, you're a real friend.

- Come on. - I'm coming.

- I'll see you at the café downstairs. - See you at the café.

Seventh floor!

Sixth floor!

- It's nothing, please stay calm! - Excuse me.

Close the door to the fourth floor!

That door always opens, a spring must be stuck.

I'm sorry, every time it stops like that,

I expect it to fall all the way to the bottom.

- Fifth floor! - Bye.

My wallet!

Someone's stolen my wallet with 6,000 liras!

- Fourth floor! - No way!

Nobody is getting out until I get my wallet back.

- Who stole it? - I don't know. I must get out...

- No, Ma'am, nobody is getting out. - I have to get out.

- Everyone stop. Go to the ground floor. - And the other people?

Go to the ground floor, there will be a manager down there.

- How rude! - He's a bully.

Yes, a bully, a bully! It's 6,000 liras...

- Why are you looking at me? - Why?

Because someone stole my wallet.

- And you think it was me? - Yes. Exactly, it was you.

- Excuse me. - Where are you going?

- We've arrived. - And you're getting out?

- Nobody is to get out. - I have to go!

- I have to get back to my department! - Security!

They're shouting, I don't know. They're closed in the elevator.

- Are you a security officer? - Yes.

- Stop, don't let them out! - Please, Ma'am.

What are you doing?!

No, stop there.

What an imbecile, he thinks that I stole his wallet.

Calm down, gentlemen. Let's not turn this into a scandal.

- We must be certain. - I just got 6,000 liras and I had it here.

And she fell on top of me, pretending that she lost her balance.

- How dare you! - How dare I? Yes, it's 6,000 liras!

Not just... not just...

- Here it is. - Idiot!

No, I... no, I put it... I thought that I put it...

We must be certain of such things, Sir, before accusing someone.

Yes, you're right.

- Has the gentleman been served? - Yes, thank you.

Very good, and this?

- Please, Miss, take it to the till. - Thank you.

Miss Corelli, this evening you're on overtime,

we have to take stock of all the winter items.

- Thank you, Mr. Bertini. And Emilia? - Yes, Miss Emilia too.

You should know I'm very grateful for your help.

- What would the lady like? - A scarf.

- A scarf for the lady. - White, colored, striped, checked...?

- Good morning, Mr. Bertini. - Good morning.

You're wasting time with those sporting items.

- Why's that? - There's nothing to do over there.

It's so cold!

If we get to do 5 more shifts of overtime, do you know what I'll do?

- I'll buy myself a nice thick overcoat. - A thick one?

If I were you, I'd just sell that one your husband left behind

and instead buy a nice suit. - Maurizio's coat?

What if he comes back to get it? It's cold now, he might need it.

Be careful!

I see, you're still in love with him, aren't you?

- Good evening, ladies. - Good evening, Mr. Bertini.

What a coincidence, I had meant to speak with Miss Emilia.

With me?

- You're going home, yes? - Yes.

Then perhaps you can take advantage of my automobile, so we can speak easily.

But... really, we...

To see you in the office, I wouldn't imagine that you had an automobile.

Miss Lauretta, outside the office I'm an entirely different man.

And then, a small car after so many years of work... some savings.

- Well? - Well... thank you.

Please, get in.

You can sit in the front, Miss Lauretta.

Please excuse me, Miss Emilia, I'm sure you already know what this is about.

- About Maurizio. - Exactly.

I'm sorry to have to speak of such things,

but the management has come to know of your separation

and I just wanted to ask you, just to clarify things.

Oh, it's a simple story.

After a year of marriage, we've separated.

- Ah, another woman? - Yes, that too.

That, and we had a row 15 days ago.

Anyway, that's how it is, we didn't get on.

I understand. I don't mean to condemn, but...

There is also reputation to think about. You two for example.

- Us two? - Yes. You are young, pretty...

and live alone, that way you're exposed to dangers...

Listen, Emilia has been left alone, and I'm on my own as well...

We're friends, so I plan to move in with her.

- Isn't that so, Emilia? - Of course, darling.

Perhaps I haven't made myself clear. I'm here to help you, Miss Emilia.

If you want me to put in a good word with the management,

I'll do everything I can.

But I'd like to speak to you further, so I'd need to see you more often.

After work, perhaps we can go out and have some honest fun,

so we can get to know each other better. - Yes, certainly.

This evening, for example.

If you like, maybe I could accompany you to the cinema?

No, thanks, it's too late. And we still need to eat dinner.

Well, then... we can go out for dinner, to some nice quite place.

- No, Mr. Bertini. - Why?

Listen, Mr. Bertini, please just take us home.

Very well. As you wish, then.

- So what happened? - The manager started screaming.

- Ida's here! - Congratulations.

Congratulations!

- Thank you. - Did you get my handbag?

I sent it to your house so that I didn't have to carry it around.

- Did you get my present? - Yes.

Ida, we wanted to get you something useful.

- Marta, Lauretta and me. - Ah, thank you.

It's new, you know, an electric machine to make coffee.

Here are the instructions.

Yes, here you go. Listen to this.

It says that with the same mix you can make coffee five times.

Yes, and after the fifth you can make jam.

- How funny! - Don't listen to her!

Congratulations, Ida. Congratulations, darling.