ACT ONE The frot of saxaczne’s Parfumere. A ely in Europe The 1930's. Barly moming of a mid-summer dey. aanacame’s is «dignified, mellow etabishment—with ‘one or two whimsical decorative touches 10 relive tt bsineselke aspect. At the moment, the window cur tains are closed, hiding the Interior from view. Bud ne large show-window hints atthe joys within: soap, per umes, toll naters, baths, creams—evering, Ie act, that hat helped make manaczne’s one ofthe city oldest and finest Parfumerts “The sage i empty. Then LADIsAv sO enters, hs nose Durie ta nenopaper 08 about 43-—but Looks older. ‘A moment later, ARPAD enters riding a bicycle. axeaD is ‘teen o hteen—and indefatigable full) expects to ‘wn the Parfumerie one day—and probably nn il. ‘Right now um is rding with one hand on his hip. With Ii other hand blows the horn rhythmically ana, (Sings) ‘Good smomiag.sures. (Looking up from hs paper) “Good day. "How are you this beautiful day? Ii this & beautifel morning? sires. (Going back to his paper) “Thats an any elegant pose Buti al at logan nce — (Rake mal up avey from anos Bele) say? meno, (Specs) Why nT reprset Maraca', Jot I? Were not a butcher abop-—or a hardware sore. Wore a Purumere That mem were" weve (ie loos forthe word) ‘Wore yt, Thatsit ‘Wit a quit git. ‘Yes ‘Asdwege eit fou at ight. “Tate sigh 4 ‘When Irie my bike, People see what Marscz' lik, ‘Sol think is very important ‘That [ook my best. sos, (Materofact) Aad tow many people id you ran ‘over today? nny fee ™ sa et a a ae peered ary ce aap ay =a caer terepemmeeteee einer teresa cm imeray memos mrnpramittnos a ond momig. 2 ow ae you the loro day? j Have you som veer orig? soso so Ths too nice a day asTT Sa Tobe mite hating ep, The amore nt whato- (em om) Aaytty mind Tae the day 0 Arpnd—vy aca Jove argh ols me say han at sao. (Ege) Pot eves rE: Tes mary sd. ay oh (6 ge nro lm ray) No Tm ad youl we Siemon ‘sur, moc won lang thon echig ep ‘Yo know, Mi Horvath say ed ny Te ee tye Sete yo ne (sre woo enters tl. i ne mite srenter—hanon Soper anal) ot nema, Goad ay Tow ae you isin ny? Wine ste epi tog. samo m0 sn (Downbeat) Tie soo. Poneman) Good ering ay Bow acy ising oy? Doyor aoe youve ae ke mre engi. een, (Corteying aris) "Thank you, bid i (one whites) ODALY. (To nrrven) What «lovely dre ‘AtvAD, Is the same one she had on yesterday, Me. Kodaly ssros. Al—M, Nom, (o2oxa Nowacx enters, carrying a newspaper. 8 i in is ate noenties—sofspoken, personable, shy. capable) ‘Good morning. '§00S, ARPAD, KOOALY ARO RITTER. ‘Good diy. ‘at that a beaut sy. ‘What a pecect sample of summer weather, 1vto0 nice a day To be indoors coumtng out change ‘What a waste of boliay weather siogethr. [Lets alton aay, (my atx dreanily consider this posity Jor @ mo- ment) ‘Wouldn't it be something if we al took off fom works ‘Leaving Me. Maracek without a single cle Why aot havea peaic? ‘Teould bring my wifes preserves‘Champage might be nice with hot hors eeues. ‘tL. (In canon) 1s to nice a day ‘To be stuck inside ofa sore. We could all be geting ur faces suntanned. 0 nice a day ‘To be daring under a tree— ‘And wel all be out of fb. it oss that much to ge suntanned— TU say untanne, Palo—but solvent aneap, (shlly) "A penio— ALL. (Spoken—sighed) ‘A picnic On, wel (The dream ts ended) ooAty. (To cxoxa) Well, Mr. Nowack-—vas the chicken ‘he wns occas? ‘nono, (ABstracty) Hamm? ooaty. Last night. Your weekly diner with Mr. and Met, ‘Maraeek ‘tox0, Ob. (uz nods) sir0s. (To otoxc) Did you talk to Mr, Maraczek about re ‘placing Mise Horvath? eS one K meni it (a8 shakes hs head) Abc, (ie srg souls) Alter avi Dns ay ete ‘oosty. Yet bot ifs bound to pk up—now tit Henne ‘schmidt’s bas closed. Pik (0 wanna ener me about type ot dng bgt cp of being if when he econ arses. As wa ines, two fale winoow. storreee ter and topo one ofthe windows Mince wate Ben "ust WIDOW stonrEn, Did yoa eve ty thee handrea? ‘ono WIDOW srr, I wonder it is ay pod? (Ounce walls wp 1th 140i ond speak them) waxaceee Good? My dear woman—ny wie been ting ‘tr hand cam for yea In fac T fee wens ah tls podaets ae aiye v0 much beac hen a 7 vey ‘mst wopow siorres. (Criply) You shoud kaon, Me Manca. (The wiNoow SHOPPING ef, MARACEES oe roaches the group atthe Fo door) tn. Goa! moring, Mr Maacrk ansczee. Go dy. (Phe front of th shop tars and becomes the interior of the shop es asaceneurlocts the dow end eeen, A the door opens and closes, a bell ings. The employees prepare forthe day's business. They po fn and cut of the Workroom, where they leave Thor ‘Personal belongings. ines and XODALY pul om herdhte oats The dt cle ae removed frm te mtr i gos her at ihe esha, Phonon eens the shop for bass ant ie ium cae nono, To vr costs Goo ny, man ay Yelp oat ist (Toston corroun) God ay, madam May 1 aap at so, (To Ta CUTOMER) ood ay, ma. May Tp "oat Toul i oes ce he youre aaa Det we cay ‘youn area foe Saye a Te what you mean "You wil ook enchanting — 1 would recommend a— ‘aley Saale a you ay — oso ite peek no your noe ae ice — orang aad crcing— “And atl bruh for— 2ll Cent ote me Ry Oa it pad wad Thay so mach "there something cla before you go? Yes Ye ‘What have I forgotea? know there war some thing els, what could it ter What frve 1 forget? I iow there was some: thing else, what could it ber Stmeding winger. Soneting uinpertat. Something for ny barbnd. Someig or ay ibd Realy tt nator Dostana oe Late pe ae beck = Yer. ‘Ther something Ive forgotten, remember it was something for my husband, Might aswell ot back to me. Teotld also ase a— Bottle of ‘no cst, a Ne have wpe nN Te a inxpentve Potine eed oa vee omer ed of you want tp you tee ou may want ody one one angais— aa lc your re aands faco— ooh be api — rou Ik a eyo ae a‘no cusToseER. ‘Chio— mast costo. "There's an idea— "Madam, Tam fled with— ‘ery sft— sxros. ‘soap "Tat should do it— heap itp and charge i. Thank yoo so much “Abways sch apleasne ‘Secing Jou. (cans hand packages tothe COMERS) cums. "Thank you, mada. Please cal gun Do call again, madam. (The ramus cosronnns ext) ‘sos, (To oxox) Did you see that? Looks Uke business i picking op. ‘enone, (Happy) Ladislav got anther Iter tay. ssros, From her? a EE \ czono. (Nods) It's 20 beauful—tve got to read it 19 you sos, Did she enclose a snapshot tis time? (oEoKO shakes his "read Doce the say anything about meting you-faee (0 fe? czono, (Evasively) Ob—we'e ping to—very soon. « (E “Spe the ener om blu stationery) But fs ten ePihiebeat Friend: Yewerday morning Tran cough {be min tothe Post fle. I had the key 2 ay hand—the By Rabon 1683, Trembling, Topened the door and reached Thue. And, obj my dear fond, there you were. 1 tok Joo out, hed you in my hand sod fooked et you for Romeat, Then Lat down, gently opened you tnd rex you.” (uanaczas enters from the ofee) uanacens. Mt. Spos, could you spare me one of your st= “Th ils? none brings the box of stomach ils 0 Sraxsezee, who takes one) Thank you, my boy. Yor know Shows fel this io? (ete plato oxo) Every time you Teo dinner-—Mis, Maracesk tres to fatten you up. She fr the cook make dumplingy—cream gravy—and wba bappens? You say thin and I getsarbura eons, Im sorry, st ‘uaxacenk. Georg i tine you were maid, Haven't you ‘iad enough ving in fumed rooms—cunning around fo aborts and dance-alls «7 ‘enone, Me, Maracotk—I haven't been to a dance alin axxceee. (Interrupting) 1 kaos what you bachslons are ‘ie Remember 1 was once one myell, And what a bachelor ‘Young, strong, ch ws something In day goue by.wit some gi who ju appened fo cach my ore ‘Sim sah, on my fet Shoes fo skimming the goood 123, 123, flow te beat, ‘Around, ound rod. ‘Ai nig crsing the Noor Tu daw pte. ‘None younger than T ner oe ve danced ‘And then Tet Me. Maracck and oe since nly wih Ree T bet you thnk has fee ‘none. No. “Young, strong, ob Iwas something In days gone by. Corono, Mrs, Maracas beatfel woman ‘With some gel who jst happened ‘To catch my eye. ono, HT could ad the ght. « i nuit Hight on my fe ‘Sim, slg, ight on my fet— Show jot seming the ground, ovne, Theft em tele dances “123, 1-23, follow the beat ‘Aroond, round, sround. one, Yan dot with my hands, light « ‘Al aight tig the oor nono. Atmays Bae rouble with my fee, “Tt dawnt wp they No one younger na T Indy gow by. Take my advice Georg od your one penn to dane with Believe, ot ce fo chang prtnesney sight... nono, Me. Marscat 1 MARACZEE. Or even every other night. You just think is Decesay. (ARPAD enters earying a armful of bases ond signs "10/6") Oh, hexe they art ons, Wht? MARACZEK. A lite surprise for you ‘oroxo. (Ghumly) What is? (sanaczeR picks up © box) MaRAczeR. A geouine leather tox. And wait—liten— {MAACEDR opens the Bo. I playa tn) Tn that lovely? (am hands i fo Guons) Here, (cxone opens the box and lots ait ait plays the tee) ‘atono, (Downbeat) What cue does it do? Maxacen. (Inked) What do you mean, what ee?! Its a genuine leather musical cigarette box. And oaly tea and Shc How's that fora bargin? sone. But whol buy ie? ‘MABACZEE. Ican ste you're in a dificult mood today. Now;tuts ask some of the other people around bere, got thie Honest opinions. Mr. Kodaly— opazy. Yes, i saracne. Wilt ll? (MARACZEX hands the box fo KOOKLY, Sho opens it and liens tothe msc with rapt attention) -ropALy, [can't imagine why not i. unxaczen. Thank you, Mr. Koay soon You're wekome, 8, (EODALY returns ois ouster) anaczee. Al ight, Georg-—now TM make you a bet Fi Te outa and swe fell te ft of these bores within one hour zona. dot wan to take your money— sexnaczee. Tea and six—one hoor—n0 more—no les Ts ‘ea ber corona, Wel wansczek. (Triumphanty) Ab bat He's not 0 confident corona. I 2 bet. MARACZEE “Yon wil pay through the nose— “You will pay through the nose. = + (the door open, the bell rings and 2OURTH CUSTOMER en Noascens oct to her) Good da, mada. May T Ielp yout ‘pour cusrowan, I ikea large tbe of Mona Liss uaxaczex, Mona Lisa Cold Cream. Certsinly, madam. Npuanaczxe opens the leather box and ets it play cose 10 ‘he cosvonents cat) Int that lvely ody? | a rou cur, ven nd fou pe or uannczns. Oh—cb—e aio have a sine and ix. OURTE cosTonten Plke to seit anace. (Persevering) This isa musieal eigret bor. (eounmn custoseen once aga docs rte fo the Bit) ‘our cortonex. Do you cary Flowers of Spring in the ‘one ounce bottle? yen ag anacens, (Closing the bor) The one ounce bottle? Cet ‘aly. Mc Sipor—youreasomer. saros. Yes sr, (To custousn) Right over here, madam, (rooant cusroMEEn poe f0 siP0¢ counter. The door ‘pens, the ell rings, and PTH CUSTOMER. eters Stanuczns approaches era mile his face—the cg larette box playing merry. ee cosTontes looks grim. {Ste holding up 2 mall package) suaxsczre, Good day, madam. May help you? wr cusToMER. (Loud and angry) Who 49 1 so about tring ajar our face creams? canncanK. (The smile fading at 8 stops the music) Ob— ‘shout Mi, Kedaly wl ae care of you. ‘orm cosronex, Well T hope so. anacene. Mr, Kodaly— aout. Yes, se. (eurrt cUsTOMER goes 10 KODALY' counter. MABACZEE Seapes Into the OfceeRe ‘The door opens and AMAA BALASH eters. sin her ‘ventes very engaging very warm-hearted, and-—at the ‘moment—very nervous GEGKo greet her) ‘tons. Good day, madam May T hep you? auxin No, Yes!— ‘onoxo, We have s complete stock of perfumes, soaps, sham ‘pos ‘satan. No! (onc, Bath oils bath ats. sacatin. Not ‘tone, (Perplexed) Cold creams, face creams, nail poses sau, Not ‘otona, (Last) Brushes—ar, soft and medium AMALIA. Not ‘onona, (A last retort) Toilet water? There's a special—this ‘week only-—on Roses of Hay. Tl show i you s+ (ons goes to get the toilet water) oun cusroxtan. (To sros) Thursday? Good. Tl top by ‘orl, ssros. Thank you ery much, madsen, (cusrones goet tthe door and opens it the Bel rings) ‘Thank you, mace, Pleas cal agen. Do all again, madam, (rounra cusronsn, who has started out the door, comes ‘back—eniranced by ths muse! farewell, Then she esis ‘EoKG ecw fo AMALA) (ORORS, (To AMALIA) Let me spay itl on your hand sou Not ‘ozone. No? ‘ueaLin Actually you see—Tm not going to buy any. No to- ty. Tim not going to buy anything, Je Mr. Maraciek here? ‘tons, He's in his office, ‘oad, Could pea to him, please? (ona, Perhaps I can belp you. ABALAA, I doe' think 0, ‘tons, He's quite by ‘AMALIA, Then TI wait don" mind. where quictly and wai ti b's tee, (ono. May Task—the nature of your business? ‘vauia think F4 beter speak to Mr, Marsene personally ‘sono, Very well May Thave your nae, please? AOA, Baath, Amalia Balah, ‘otona. Very well, Miss Baleb, YU tll him yout hese (croKs str forthe Offce) ‘seLin. Ob—just one thing! Mist Horvath—iwho sed to ‘work hero—the one who's having a baby-she huss boca replaced yeas hc? (oR. Are you looking fora job? ‘AMALIA, NoLT guess you could cll it that, (Eagerly) Tax 8 jor et somessi. Realy! Very good! And I know the Put bunbeintle ta oT wrk a ame Iechnids—ve yar Pe yar and ol mont And {hy wee lay ey sat ih mse eter ee fom Me, Hamncechi Mimi (ah searches Inher pckerbool) Somewbor hr Tsun Bans Shouts copeoabl ddcnted” (eh empha) Dee fated (Panay looking though the pocketbook) 1s ‘reson “Seals fara undoes of ose a ier whch go toward mating a toperorsalspenon. T puiyrecmnend ber "Sted Haman Hames” {tas wmembers someting) OM (ssn tte he eter om ascprte compartment and gv cuans) Hee ‘oroxo, Tim sure is just as you say. But—anforunaty— were not replacing Miss Horvath right now. If you'd Hike to leave your name « souatt, Balach, Amaia Baas. Corona. And then—it anything should come up - . onan (Not giving up) TA ke to speak to Mr. Martesk, lease. zona, im afaid—it it's only about job asian, (Urgenty) Pes! ‘tone. Pm sony (aaacene enters from hs ofce) just can't be done. seaxacces, What cant be dons? At Margera’, nothing isin ‘posible, (To astatia) Pesbeps I can elp you. ‘oz0n0, She wants job. sanncone. What? soa, [know tht bainese—inside and of Hlammesehmid. worked at (usnscane shaker hs head emphatically) anscens. Tm smry. ‘scan, Lave alte rom Mr, Hammerschnidt himsel! anacenk. es out ofthe queton. Aus. Pm honest—dependablo—deicatd aeanscz, Realy, Georgy can't you handle this srt of ‘hing withost calling me ia? ‘sai, Tm a very good sales! (uanaceen tarts back into Me offlee) anscoee. If youl excuse me... ‘Aotaz, Really! Tamlt Pim very good! (rum cusroun, while waiting for her package, has ‘been wandering around the stores For @ moment, he teret is taken by the leather bores, statin, roving ti, ears off her hat—iosses it aildeand approaches the irra cosvousx energetically) (To worm cusronen) Area these marvelous boxes! And cnly-—(asausa reads the sgn) Ten and six. Can. yoo lage? arma cusronen, Wht ae they fr? soa, (Not all sure) Oh (se takes the plunge) Candy. urna cusromnn, Candy? ‘Aan. Why ys, madam, i the latest thing. And jas ook atthe wotkmanship. .. . (AMALA taker a Box and opens i, The musle plays. sxain—taken by surprive—jumps ‘eck) Ob!Orr custoun, A musical candy-box? aaantsa. (Improving wildly) Why cectaaly, madam! I come ‘ines the thee elements of good taste: attractive tothe je, atiructve to the ea, and~fanctonall ‘arra custonxa. How—funetional? AMALIA. How? (sz wither sux knew—and then) Let me tell you. This litle box hasbeen a fe-saver to many, many women. They bive a slight tendency to overweight. And don't we all? We sit at home reading 2 good book or ls. ‘ening o a symphiony—and, without realzing i our hand slips into the candy-box. ‘We become indsereet ating sweet after rweet— Tho! we know all oo well ‘Where that may lead. So this box was designed With the two of win mind ‘As the kindof remindee we need. ‘When you ase the id ‘The musi playe Le a dispproving nod. ‘And i singt in your ea: ‘Nomore candy, my det. Ina way its ite Ike the the woie of Ged. vurratcosroncen. (Eagerly) Yes! Of coursel TU tke it ‘ont. Thank you, madam! xovanr. (To virru cusrosen) If youll sep over bere, plese... (To nrrren) That willbe three snd eight fot tho large jaro face cream. ‘Aocatsn, (Proudly) And tn and sx forthe box! Thank you 3 ery mich, madam. Thank you! (AMALIA returns 10 MARACZEK who le Beaming wh pure fy) MaxAcZEE. (To stata) You're hte! Miss —2 ‘AvaLIA Baath! Amalia Balash! MARACZEK. Miss Balash, welcome to Marsezel’s. (scaRnezeK ‘urs triumphantly to Ox0x0 and sticks out his hand) And ‘ow, Ms. Nowack it you please - (exons cowus ou ten and sx and hand it fo wABAczEK. ‘Mearvhile the cah-regater is ringing) arrr1a. (Counting out change) Fouteen and four—fourtcn ‘ad ar packages. Thank you, (rarm costonten goes fo the door and opens The bell rings) {GtonG, MARACZER, RITTER, KODALY AND AMALIA ‘Thank yoo, madam. Pate call ein Do all again, madsen, (As the rrr custouern ents, amatu's voce ts heard above all the others auatta nods tlumphanly to Gane he ph cn pon oN eM ds a wing etter) we oven, Det Pat Whe ey ing pty aggre ‘And ny pot red eal se, Trg ae uaoport mers out ot ny es on yon, ‘Alt ste goat yin Taser dager (Of dar ind coe aa he