The Shop at Sly Corner

Hello, yes?

Oh, it's you.

Certainly not. We have people here. My daughter is playing.

Oh, I see.

Yes, then it must be tonight.

Come back in an hour.

I'm sorry, I...

What's wrong with Margaret?

You see, she will be a great artist. Already, she's temperamental.

We'll be getting along now, Descius.

- Good night. Many thanks. - Good night.

- Good night. - Good night.

- Good night, Mr Heiss. - Good night.

Professor Vanetti.

I'll show you.

I've never known that happen to Margaret before.

Oh, well, you never know how it's going to take ya.

I told you to go home an hour ago.

It was such beautiful music, Mr Heiss.

So even you can feel such music, huh?

Why, yes, Mr Heiss, even I.

Specially when Miss Margaret plays it.

Yes.

Now, I told you to go home. Now, do as you're told.

You know, it... it must be wonderful

to be so beautiful and so talented.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You heard what I said?

Here, take your hat.

- Good night, Mr Heiss. - Good night.

Che cosa a facciare a quest' ora? What do you want?

Tell Signore Vanetti Mr Heiss is here.

But that's impossible.

Are you telling me I don't know who I am? I am here!

Wait!

The signore is asleep. I cannot wake him.

No? Well, I can.

Stop that noise! Please!

You see?

Well, Mr Heiss, what is it?

Vanetti, I must speak to you. It's very important.

- I play good, huh? - Hmm.

Somewhat late for such artistry.

Come in here.

Why do you call at this hour?

Why do you upset my daughter? She's crying her eyes out at home.

- Well, that's good for her. - I know that.

But you don't have to do it this way.

Next time you stop teaching her the violin

and start teaching her to be a woman,

- you consult me first, you understand? - Sit down, Mr Heiss.

Mr Heiss, I want to be honest with you.

To teach your daughter, you paid me much more than you need have done.

Oh, why not?

I charge you a little more for the antiques I sell you.

So we are quits.

Why didn't you come tonight?

Did you forget such an unimportant engagement?

I didn't forget.

But there was no point in my coming.

There's really nothing more I can do for Margaret.

I know she's good.

Her technique is excellent, but there's no emotion.

What?! No emotion? A daughter of mine, no emotion?

- The daughter of a Frenchman? - That's your fault.

- You keep her surrounded by antiques. - Oh, so I'm an antique now?

A young girl needs contact with human beings.

Well, shall we move into a holiday camp?

- Oh, don't evade the point. - Very well, then. Advise me.

I could arrange for her to complete her studies with Sobia.

Sobia?

- He's even greater than... - Than I.

And he's a great psychologist.

He could turn Margaret from a good player into a brilliant one.

- Well, then, take me to Sobia. - He's in Paris.

Paris?

No, she can't go to Paris.

You could go with her.

Surely you would like to see your own country again?

This is my country.

But you couldn't deny her?

I would deny her nothing.

I would give her the world,

but my world does not include France.

So she will go on playing just for your friends?

Not quite, signore.

Let me tell you...

She will be the finest violinist England has ever heard.

Maybe Europe.

We will find another way to help her.

Forgive me for intruding. Good night.

Oh! You young horror! Stop prosecuting that cat!

You wouldn't half cop it if the guv'nor saw ya.

You mind your own business. I'll do as I like, see?

Not in my kitchen you don't. Why, for two pins I'd...

- Funny place for asthma. - Ooh!

Good morning. Could I possibly see the proprietor?

As far as you're concerned, I am the proprietor.

Oh.

I've had it all my life, and my mother before me.

How much do you want for it?

I must have ten pounds. Yes, at least ten.

Four.

But you don't understand. I must have ten pounds.

You see, my daughter is...

Well, you'd better try somewhere else.

I think, if you don't mind,

I'll see if that gentleman can give me a little more.

No, you can't go in there.

I'll ask him.

Thank you.

Good morning, sir.

No violin practice this morning?

She must have been very upset.

Er... What do you want?

- Oh. Whose is it? - The old lady's.

She wants ten pounds for it. I've said four.

Here, give her eight.

It's worth it.

Thank you, sir.

Four.

One moment!

My assistant misunderstood.

Such a beautiful box is worth the ten pounds you asked.

Oh, thank you! Thank you!

We will find a nice home for it.

I'm sure you will.

What is the meaning of this?

Well, I was only thinking of your pocket, Mr Heiss.

And you think nothing of my reputation?

- Well, I only thought that... - Thought, thought, thought.

Think, think, think, think. Have you no eyes?

Can you not see what it meant for her to part with this?

Well, I was only trying to be businesslike...

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Businesslike. Businesslike.

Very well, you shall be. I told you eight pounds,

you offered her four, so I had to give her ten.

I shall deduct my two pounds lost from your salary,

half a crown a week.

And you are very lucky I do not discharge you.

- Well, that was... - Don't thank me.

I can't help being generous.

Hey, Robert!

- Hello, there. - Where have you sprung from?

Now, where do you think?

- Birmingham? - Birmingham?

The home of the Buddha.

Let me tell you, this is a genuine Buddha from Burma.

Ah-ah. Birmingham.

It's been right round the world, and now it's home again, like you.

And you are the very surprise Margaret needs.

Surprise? Didn't you get my telegram?

No.

- Has a telegram come? - No, Mr Heiss.

Well, no matter. Come, I'll announce you.

She'd be delighted to see you.

Margaret! Margaret! The fleet's in!

Aren't you feeling well?

What, do you think I'm sick? I'm a messenger of love.

Yes, dear, I know, but I'm in a hurry. Robert's waiting.

- You know? - Yes, I've just seen his taxi outside.

Ah, treason!

So, while my daughter puts on the new dress

she doesn't think I know she bought,

you may show me the presents you bought for me to buy.

Right.

Now, then. Any offers?

Certainly. I offer to drop it quietly in the river.

I see. No sale.

Well, now, what about this?

One savage's blowpipe from Senegambia and three poison darts to match.

Oh, don't touch 'em. That shiny stuff on the point is curare.

Curare?

Oh, yes, the native poison that produces heart failure.

That's right. One scratch from that,

and you'll be selling St Peter his golden gates.

In the meantime, I'm to sell poison to my customers.

What else?

Well...

Oh, here's a nice little thing.

- Oh, a netsuke. - Yes, it's Japanese.

I picked it up in Kobe. Wonderful carving, isn't it?

You know, it takes a lifetime to carve that.

Must be worth a bit, eh?

Only when it's genuine.

Oh.

- Anything wrong? - No, no, no, no, no.

Well, cheer up. What else have you got?

You know, I don't think I was meant to deal in antiques.

Why, if it ain't Mr Robert!

Hello, Mrs Catt.

Still a doctor in the Navy?

Mm-hmm. Cutting 'em up and sewing 'em up.

Well, if this ain't your lucky day.

I was at the hospital this morning,

with five doctors lookin' at me feet.

One of 'em seizes me leg,

and what do you think he says?

Hello, my sweet.

No, he wasn't that kind of a...

- Robert... - Oh, it's good to see you again.