The Private Secretary (Die Privatsekretärin)

THE PRIVATE SECRETARY

A FILM BY WILHELM THIELE

FRANZ SCHULZ KARL (PAUL) ABRAHAM

AFTER THE NOVEL "TALE OF THE TYPEWRITER" BY STEFAN SZOMAHAZY

AND THE OPERETTA OF THE SAME NAME (LIBRETTO STEFAN BEKOFFI JR.,

MUSIC LUDWIG LAJTAI).

BAYERISCHE FILMGESELLSCHAFT M.B.H. OF EMELKA

My hands work hard moving a suitcase like this one.

In the end, there will be someone available to carry it.

Yes, this way I make do with my life I surely will make it.

Others make it in other ways...

But I will make it too!

- Well, who knows? - I'm certain of it.

- From out of town? - Yes.

Need a place to stay?

I thought so.

- Do you have money? - A little bit.

A car!

Well, and what about me?

- Thank you for carrying my suitcase. - Come on, come on!

Goodbye!

GUESTHOUSE WALTER HOME FOR YOUNG WORKING GIRLS

Curd cheese, here we go again.

Miss Walter, this was a special offer at Thiessen, I guess?

Next time I'll paint the cheese black, then you can act as if it's caviar.

- And again schnapswurst. - And again spruce needle tea.

Leave if you don't like it.

The insolence!

What a bitch! I won't be insulted like this!

- Who's the bitch? - You are!

- Unbelievable! - And you clean your shoes with a towel!

What's that? I can't believe my ears!

Miss, a new guest has arrived.

Girls, a new guest! Shame on you! Behave!

...a new guest... terrible...

Please... come in.

- Good evening! - Good evening!

- Here you go. - Thank you.

My name is Vilma Förster.

So what?

Here you go. Enjoy your meal!

Thank you.

- Curd cheese. - Schnapswurst.

Spruce needle tea.

And what will we have tomorrow?

- Curd cheese. - Schnapswurst.

And spruce needle tea!

Tarts!

- Where do you work? - I'm looking for a job.

- What did you learn? - Typewriter.

You won't get rich on that.

80 Marks a month, and for Christmas a signed picture of the boss.

Best to have a rich boyfriend.

Or several.

A nice man with 300 Marks a month, that's all girls like us need.

I'd like to own a small fashion house, to be independent...

...no one yelling at you...

...then, I won't bother with men at all.

Why are we so modest? Can't we get more out of life?

Seems like she'll get herself a count.

- Or a director. - Why not?

Those director generals have been waiting for you all the time.

Keep on laughing! I know exactly what I want.

Is it so strange to demand more from life?

Just watch out so you won't choke on your dreams.

ECONOMY BANK

Here we go again. Whenever you apply for a job, it is taken already.

A beautiful voice you got there.

Don't flatter me, Miss.

Tenor?

You didn't pay attention in school, did you?

- Baritone, of course. - Of course.

- Good. - Are you a member of a choral society?

Member of a choral society? I am the choral society.

I am the founder, chairman, secretary, treasurer,

member of the board of directors, conductor.

- So you're conducting? - Yes I do.

Oh that's interesting. You know, to me a conductor looks like a general,

leading the troops into battle.

Well, that's stretching it a bit.

But I admit, there is a certain similarity.

Get this out of here!

Now I know why I liked you immediately.

- And why is that? - I am also musical through and through.

Through what are you musical?

Through my grandparents. They stem directly from minnesingers.

That's quite something, I'll say.

A shame I'll never see you conduct.

Every Wednesday night at Weber Hall, Miss.

Well, Wednesday, I don't know if I'll still be in Berlin by then.

If I don't find a job, then...

Where are you off to?

I'll try to find out if I can help you.

With human resources.

Gee, that's nice of you.

Don't get intimate, Miss.

Come in.

J. KLAPPER SENIOR CLERK

Listen to me. I didn't tell him that you are looking for a job.

- Why not? - If I did he wouldn't talk to you.

What did you tell him, then?

- Hello. - Hello.

If you will.

Thank you.

- If you will. - Thank you.

Thank you.

Of course.

Thank you.

The clerk said that you have a business proposition for me.

Yes... yes, a business.

- And what is this about? - This is about... an opportunity.

- A big opportunity? - Yes, a pretty big opportunity.

- What kind of merchandise? - I beg your pardon?

- What kind of merchandise? - What kind of... I...

- Oh, I see. Silk stockings. - Yes, that's it. Silk stockings.

- And that's the sample piece? - Yes.

What about quality? May I?

- Marvelous quality. - Of course.

- Excellent, really. - I'm ticklish.

You rascal!

You think I'm weird?

- No, but... - But?

This whole thing is a misunderstanding. I'm looking for a position at this bank.

- So this is it. - Yes.

Well, won't be easy.

But not impossible, is it?

Number 17 in the big typewriter room is still open.

- And as long as we get along... - I'll try my best!

Goodbye, goodbye!

That's a deal.

I got the job! I got the job! I got the job! I got the job!

Crazy!

Is everybody's birthday today?

What's going on today?

Because I laugh, everybody laughs,

the stupid pretty things they do.

Suddenly no more worries.

As if that's the way of the world.

As if suddenly, my heart belongs to heaven.

Today I am so happy, so happy, so happy.

Right now I am so happy, happy as never before.

I could burst from happiness!

Burst!

Burst!

I always long to sing that one tune.

La-la-la, hear you, I'm so happy.

La-la-la, why can't it always be like this?

Today I am so happy, so happy, so happy.

Right now I am so happy, happy as never before!

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Good morning, Mr. Hasel. - Good morning.

First day today. Good luck!

Thank you.

- How can I help you? - Me? Not at all.

I got a position here, you know? I'm part of the team.

Happy to hear.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Good morning, Miss Förster. - Good morning, Mr. Klapper.

- Come this way. - Thank you.

- Here you can put your coat. - Thank you.

This is your first assignment.

And this one here should be your main concern.

Main concern. Got it?

At 8 o'clock my dear sweetheart will be at Potsdam Square under the public clock

You still have fun at your job, looks like it?

But of course!

This won't last long, sweetie.

Is that so? And why not?

Come in!

Miss Förster, why did you stand me up?

What do you mean? I finished the account in time.

I waited a full hour for you under the public clock.

I am sorry, it really isn't easy to write down all those numbers.

You made a big mistake.

I looked over the account. I don't think there are any mistakes in there.

I see, you only want to talk about the account?

I can grant you that favour.

But why?

Because I say so. Write it again.

But it's closing time soon.

Then you'll work overtime.

What's more, you're using too much lipstick.

And your neckline is too low.

Miss Förster! Miss Förster!

Shut the door quietly, would you.

Donkey!

Miss Vilma! Miss Vilma!

Don't forget, today is Wednesday. Choir performance at Weber Hall.

- I don't think I can make it. - But why not?

That scoundrel Klapper!

He's making me work overtime endlessly, just out of spite.

But I will raise a complaint!

Raise a complaint with whom? You're thinking of Director Arvai?

And why not? Isn't this possible?

Well, I don't know.

By the way...

Hasel, what kind of a man is the director?

He's quite the splendid bachelor. Like me, more or less.

- Is he sympathetic towards women? - I wouldn't try my luck yet.