The Kennedy Incident

We don't need to change trains yet, do we?

What a goose you are, Linda! We're barely out of the city!

We change at Lelle, Monika and Renate will ride on.

We should be together on New Year's Eve!

My dad has prepared a feast for us and my brothers will have made beer and wine...

Can't! Got a date!

And we live in such a distant place that there are no Russian soldiers!

Stop cadging, we've got plans of our own!

Attention! Customer alert!

Edgar, get over here!

Who was that? I haven't seen this one!

It was before your time!

Who was he with? Vivian, with you?

Indeed - Vivian's suitor!

Well? And how was he?

We'll have no gossiping about the customers!

It's all right between ourselves! I'm sure you're dying to know too!

It's not all right! And there's nothing I don't already know.

Well — perhaps you don't know quite everything.

What is it I don't know? What?

Well...

He's a fine geezer for sure, but his 'love whistle'...

Well?

Let's say it whistles a very shortlived tune.

Some news. We all knew about that.

But do you know that one night I caught the good sir

admiring himself in the mirror - wearing my stockings?

What?!

He was trying on my garter but this was several sizes too small.

Somehow he had managed to clasp my bra, though.

Really? That's rather unexpected...

Wait for it, wait for it...

Is this seat free?

Sure, a gentleman just left.

Aah, good!

Gosh! Look! I don't believe that!

How cute can you get? Koochie koochie!

What might his name be?

Can I pet him?

Why not, he's used to that.

Maali, you?

Monika! Me.

And this... Your baby?

Yes, my little...

So what is his name?

Jaak. But we call him Jack.

How old is he?

Ten months last week...

"Visitors in Tallinn"

Jack...

Thank God, it's still here!

A work of art!

So, what do you reckon? Willing to buy a share?

It's pretty, of course... But it's a considerable expense!

It's the best investment of your life!

It will earn it's value back in no time!

Well... All right then!

Good afternoon, ladies!

One moment. Mademoiselle Claudette, please!

Yes, madam! Welcome...

Goodness! Monika!

Maali! What are you doing here?

Have you become a modiste?

Hush! It's Claudette nowadays!

I'm just helping out here.

On evenings I'm a waitress at Gloria restaurant and model at fashion shows there.

I thought you were abroad - in England? Au pair work?

A grant from the English College only lasts one year.

So I'm back, living at mother's again.

But ladies! This is not a tearoom! Did you come to shop or to chitchat?

We're here to shop.

And not for any old stove pipe - the Schiaparelli hat!

The ladies are aware of its cost?

We are.

It's priced twenty-five crowns!

Let's not dilly-dally then.

And what did it cost? - Only twenty-five crowns!

Twenty-five?!

Like a roasted pigeon on a plate.

It's all the rage in Paris!

And in Hollywood!

And which one of you can pull it off like a Hollywood film star?

We were all indoctrinated!

I think Madame should have a first try.

I wouldn't be caught dead wearing this!

Yes, give it a try! - You'll look gorgeous!

No, girls! Leave me alone!

Oh, girls...!

Well then...

One...

Two...

Three!

Like a movie star!

Oh, girls..!

And who will get to be the first one to wear it in public?

Me!

We'll draw lots and then draw up a schedule.

Fair enough.

Except when one of us has a very, very good reason!

Like you do, tomorrow, right?

Of course, as Mister Lauritz will take me on a joyride tomorrow!

Mister Lauritz is taking you to the beach.

And what's the point in rolling in the sand with it?

Linda is claiming priority.

I can't tomorrow... I'm entertaining Mister Tamm here.

There you are!

And Stassi will entertain that actor from the Russian Drama Company.

You shan't be wearing it indoors!

However, I have a day off.

I might want to advertise our establishment!

Then let's draw lots!

You have time to brawl about it tomorrow.

Look at the time!

We have customers arriving in half an hour!

Monika, have you taken care of the snacks?

The gents promised to treat us to some crayfish.

No wonder, Mister Braun owns a delicatessen.

Uhh, despicable cockroaches.

So don't have any, leaves more for us!

They're here!

Who?

Mister Braun with two gents.

Girls, get changed in a flash!

Oh my! What drove them here so early?

This hat has messed up my hair!

I'll put the kettle on.

Yes, do!

I get it now:

they have to leave for Berlin on the midnight express,

so the cheapskates expect to get their pennies worth!

No rest for the weary...

Through painful toil will you earn your livelihood!

Through painful toil, I say!

We were expecting you, gentlemen!

What's going on?

What's going on, what's going on.

The girls have food poisoning! That's what's going on!

Who asked them to stuff themselves with those cockroaches!

Does it say anything about crayfish poisoning?

Doesn't seem to mention it separately...

You've taken ill as well?

Don't even mention... I feel like hell.

Have you tried to throw up?

What do you think I've been doing the whole night?

That's the gents we deal with.

Faded roses, second hand perfume, and now carrion!

Let's hope this will pass by tomorrow; we have the bankers visiting....

What's that then?

So.

The short one wins!

I knew it! The hat is calling for me!

I declare the draw invalid!

But — by what right?

Force majeure!

This is a cablegram from Riga, from the wife of the US ambassador, Irena.

How do you know her?

We go way back.

She's Polish.

This was sent a week ago, but to our old address!

And it was delivered only now.

Oh, what to do, what to do...

What's wrong?

She requires two girls, and it's for today!

Girls for the American ambassador...?

No-no, don't be daft!

She's arriving today on an airplane from Riga,

with a guest who needs to be entertained.

Who's the guest, a Latvian?

She writes it's a son of an important American,

and she asks, could I organize a 'chance meeting'

with a couple of English speaking girls this noon.

Girls with a fashionable hat.

I want to come too!

You don't even speak English.

I say! Not worse than you!

You've got your picnic today!

Monika, put on the hat, and double march to negotiate with the Americans!

So who's the other then?

Monika! Who do you have in mind?

Claudette!

Closet?

Pretty?

Well... She wouldn't work at the Gloria, were she not!

That's it then!

Chop yourself up.

Irena wants us to be on the terrace of the Cafe Kultas at noon.

I'll be the old friend,

and the guest will be served a couple of girls

who can be nice and hold their tongues afterwords...

Wait ... this... Closet? Can she hold her tongue?

She'll be working at the cafe and I'll be making love to the American!

I renounce my right to the hat.

Cheerio, Monika! What are you scouting for?

What took you so long? I've been biting my nails here for fifteen minutes!

Looks like a handsome chap.

So what are we supposed to do?

Whatever, but in English!

"Okay".

Let's find out what he wants. Perhaps he doesn't fancy girls.

Neither do I.