DISSATISFIED LADY—[_Joins JUHASZ._] Good morning, Mr. Juhasz. I want to
look at some nice neckties. To-morrow is my husband’s birthday, and I
want to get him some for a surprise.
JUHASZ—Will you step this way, please?
DISSATISFIED LADY—He told me exactly the kind he wanted, and said I could
go as high as a hundred kronen.
JUHASZ—I see. A real surprise.
DISSATISFIED LADY—Yes.
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—No, no, no ... not lilac.
JUHASZ—Instead of buying ready-made ones, why not select your patterns
and have them made up?
PHILIP—This is the newest color, Jerusalem blue.
DISSATISFIED LADY—You are sure you could get them out for me in time.
JUHASZ—Oh, yes. That would give you the choice of some very nice silks in
restricted patterns.
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—This straw color is very attractive.
DISSATISFIED LADY—I might look at them.
JUHASZ—We never cut more than one tie of each pattern. Would you step in
here? [_He indicates the archway. The NERVOUS GENTLEMAN enters._]
PHILIP—Good day, sir.
NERVOUS GENTLEMAN—Good day.
JUHASZ—[_To the NERVOUS GENTLEMAN._] Good day. Just a moment, sir.
PHILIP—[_To the THOROUGH YOUNG LADY._] These are Rumbergers. A very
well-known brand.
JUHASZ—[_Flashes OSCAR a look of triumph._] After you, madame. [_Follows
the DISSATISFIED LADY off through the archway._]
PHILIP—Will you have a seat, sir? I’ll be with you in just a moment.
NERVOUS GENTLEMAN—Thank you. [_He remains standing at the counter,
right._]
PHILIP—Pastel green, pastel brown, pastel blue, pastel yellow.
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—I don’t know what pastel is.
PHILIP—Pastel is four kronen fifty, madame.
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—You haven’t got something about half pastel, have you.
PHILIP—Yes, we have. [_Puts out still another box. To the NERVOUS
GENTLEMAN._] Won’t you sit down, sir? Mr. Juhasz will be there in a
moment.
NERVOUS GENTLEMAN—That’s all right.
PHILIP—These are lighter ... two kronen apiece lighter. [_The NERVOUS
GENTLEMAN comes down to the end of the counter where OSCAR stands
disconsolately before the open box of socks, one pair still held in his
hand._]
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—And what about these darker shades? [_The NERVOUS
GENTLEMAN pokes in the box of socks._]
PHILIP—They are one krone fifty darker.
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—I’d like something between the two.
PHILIP—[_Pulls down another box._] Between the two.
OSCAR—[_Deferentially._] Those are socks, sir.
NERVOUS GENTLEMAN—I see they are.
OSCAR—[_Very deferentially._] Would you like to look at some, sir?
NERVOUS GENTLEMAN—Yes.
OSCAR—[_Shows the pair he is holding in his hand._] Black. Fil d’Ecosse.
THOROUGH YOUNG LADY—I’m afraid they are too expensive. Let me look at the
first ones again.
NERVOUS GENTLEMAN—[_Looks at his watch._] I’m afraid I can’t wait.
PHILIP—One moment more, sir. Mr. Juhasz will be right in.