All language subtitles for The Mysterious Stranger - 1982

The name is Mark Twain.

That's not quite right,
actually, I was born
with the name

Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

I came back to see
how things are going.

There's nothing I like better
than a good cigar.

Well, maybe one or two things.

Like, uh, like a good
story maybe.

And I wrote a few back in
my day, that's for sure.

Some of which you
might have heard of.

Huckleberry Finn
or Tom Sawyer.

Connecticut Yankee
in King Arthur's Court.

Life on the Mississippi.
And a few others besides.

In fact, that's what you're
gonna see here,

is dramatic presentations
of some of my stories.

Some of which you
might have heard of
and some, maybe not.

Some of these stories
take place right here

along the great
Mississippi River.

A couple of them take
place over in Europe.

I've been there too.

But, uh, home to me was
always Hannibal, Missouri.

Where I grew up
with that awful name.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens.
Esquire.

That's a terrible name for
a writer, ain't it?

Of course, I was a riverboat
pilot before I was a writer.

But, it was still
a terrible name.

Before that I was in
the printing business.

Kind of, uh...

Kinda young at the time,
kind of a dreamer.

And kinda like this boy
I wrote about in this story...

The Mysterious Stranger.

♪ ♪

Boy, take this to
Mr. Stein right away.

Come on! Come on!

MAN: Morning, miss.
Pleasant day, isn't it?

KATZENYAMMER: Get to work!

Stupid, blundering idiot!

By hook, if you're not
a bigger scoundrel...

Stop hollering then!
He didn't mean to do it.

You mind your own business.
Who's foreman here, huh?

I don't give a damn
who's foreman!

Please, please, we have
so much work to do.

What on Earth is the matter?
What are you doing?

(STUTTERS) I stumbled, sir.

Stupid idiot!

I don't know what you
want to take him on for.

Printing is a job for a man!
Not for boys!

All right, all right,
I'll take care of it.

What a hothead!

Now, my boy,

if you want to be one of us,

you have to remember
that printing is an art.

A noble, ancient art.

We go all the way back to
Europe to the middle ages.

The great printer Gutenberg
did more than any other man

to make the modern world.

Your Benjamin Franklin use it.

(GIGGLES) Let me tell you.

-When I was back in the
old country I always knew...
-Mr. Stein, Sir?

Mr. Hoffman's here
with your pills.

-Yes, yes.
-MAN: All right.

5 o'clock! Time to eat!

Except for you.

MAN:
Sit right down, Mr. Stein.

There you go.

(COUGHING)

Tincture, this little bark...

Into some branch water.

One, two, three, four.

No more than four
drops, Mr. Stein.

Mighty powerful stuff.

Then,

you take one of these.

Calcimated effluvium.

My own private proprietary.

There you go.

Wash that over and you'll be
fit enough to fight snakes.

♪ ♪

STEIN: Now, my boy,

if you want to be one of us,
you have to remember
that printing is an art.

A noble and ancient art.

We go all the way back to
Europe to the middle ages.

The great printer Gutenberg
did more than any other man
to make the modern world.

(PEOPLE TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

(DOG BARKING)

Oh, Father Julian...

Would you be so good?

(PRAYING IN LATIN)

-Amen.
-ALL: Amen.

Fat chance you've
got with her.
The master's daughter.

FRAU: You there.

Come here.

What's your name?

Feldner, madam,
August Feldner.

Oh, yes.

Well, Feldner, you're
not at home now, you know.

We expect a certain standard
of behavior here.

AUGUST: Yes, madam.

August,

printers once
ate in this chamber.

-You should feel privileged.
-Yes, Master.

Not many master printers
can afford to rent a castle.

You should thank God
for your good fortune,
not behave like an urchin.

Amen.

Is there a devil in you, boy?

No, sir.

FRAU: You think there
maybe, Dr. Hoffman?

It's possible, madam.
Very possible.

Nonsense.

He's a boy, that's all.

If the Master says so.

-I do.
-FRAU: Oh, but Heinrich...

I won't have such
nonsense at my table!

Go and sit down, boy.

And in the future
remember your manners.

FRAU: Give this...

...to Felix.

Go on.

Give it to the dog.

FRAU: Dr. Hoffman does not
talk nonsense.

Dr. Hoffman is a graduate
from Padua, Parma...

Katzenyammer!

-Master.
-The bible's for Prague.

What about them?

Say, will be ready
by Monday, all 200?

Should be.

So long as we are not
interfered with.

You know what's the
universities like.

Everything on the dot
or the penalty clauses.

I should be ruined.

You'll be all right.

So long as there is
no provocation.

Here you are,
you naughty boy.

Is that all?

It's all you deserve.

You don't want it?

-Who are you?
-Gracious lady...

FRAU: What do you want?

I'm so hungry.

Well,
you weren't asked?

So you can just get out.

-Father, may I?
-You sit down!

WOMAN: Come with me, child.

There's plenty to eat
in the kitchen.

FRAU: Katrina!

Remember your position.

Come on.

Heinrich Stein, are you
going to let this menial
defy your own wife?

It won't be the first time.

If any of you want the boy,
you come and
get him, that's all.

August, you come too.

(CAT MEOWING)

Come along then,
If you're really so hungry.

FRAU: I don't mind him
having something to eat
if he's really hungry.

Though I doubt it.
I doubt very much.

The boy is a liar.
Anyone can see that.

Well, he can fill his belly,
then get on his way.

Very philanthropic, mother.

Beyond the call of
common charity.

I think, he's after
our treasure.

I could see it in his eyes.

You'd better hurry up
and find it then, doctor.

You wouldn't want a boy
getting it first.

(GIGGLES)

In order to find gold
or buried treasure,

Father Julian,

One must be a master
at the arts,

of alchemy and necromancy.

He didn't give me
the impression of a man
of learning.

I thought he seemed very nice.
Very humble and gentle.

He looked perfectly
all right to me.

MAN: Master, never seen such
an obvious villain in my life.

Look in the mirror sometimes.

(GIGGLES)

MAN: A rogue.

The very image of a rogue.

And I say,

he's going.

My goodness!
When did you last eat?

Ages ago.

Have you been on the road
a long time then?

Seems like it.

Where's your home, lad?

Oh, poor thing.

Well, never mind.
You'll be all right here.

There's plenty of room
for everyone.

And don't you worry
about Frau Stein.

It's the master who counts.

And he's a good man,
the master is.

He's just worried
about all those bibles
he has to deliver.

If the printers would
only settle down
and get on with the job.

MAN:
Tramps should be
shown the door,

with the toe of your boot.

MAN: People have to
beg for food.
They don't deserve it.

All right, enough!

Remember your
Christian charity.

The boy is down
on his luck, that's all.

It doesn't mean he's wicked.

If he wants shelter,
he shall have it.

-Heinrich!
-And there is the end of it.

He's a good boy, Master.

Even if he does look
like a singed kid.

He's not a beggar for
the love of begging.

He wants work. That's all.

ALL: Work?

HEINRICH: Is that true,
my boy?

Yes, sir.

Well, what kind of work
are you willing to do?

Oh, Heinrich!

BOY: Any kind.

And he don't want
pay for it neither.

What, no pay?

What's this?

No remuneration
of any kind, boy?

No, sir.
Just food and shelter.

But, what about clothes?

He shan't go naked, sir.
I'll see to that.

Can you do really
hard, rough work?

Oh, yes sir.
Yes, I'm very strong sir.

Heinrich Stein if you think
you're going to
mess with vermin...

Frau Stein, be silent!

Katrina, take him away.

Give him a room.
Let him rest.

He can start work tomorrow.

Oh, I'd like to start
right away, if I may, sir.

What's your name, lad?

Number 44.
New series 8-6-4-9-6-2, sir.

Beg your pardon?

Number 44, sir.
New series 8-6-4-9-6-2.

That's a hell of a name.

(MEN LAUGHING)

That's a very
strange name, boy.

Where did you get it?

I don't know.
I've always had it.

Have you been in jail?

HEINRICH: No, no.

You needn't answer that,
my boy.

Unless you want to.

Well.

What shall I do first?

Take the dog for a walk.

MAN: Good idea.
HEINRICH: No.

(MEN LAUGHING)

Come on, Felix.

The boy must be enchanted.

You did it.

Oh.

Oh, Dr. Hoffman.

It was nothing.

Nothing at all.

Nothing.

(CHUCKLES)

44: Come on, Felix.

-Felix!
-(SCREAMS)

Felix, behave yourself
and don't go and bite
anyone, all right?

HOFFMAN: Don't be afraid.

It's a little caprice of mine.

My spirit is on the dog.

It can't hurt you.

Oh, Dr. Hoffman.

You are the greatest
magician on Earth.

Perhaps.

Perhaps.

44: Felix, you must go
and thank the master

for this great favor
he has done you.

Oh, Dr. Hoffman.

All right, you.

Get back to work.

Bring us some logs.

At once, Frau Stein.

Ah, there you are.
Found enough to do?

Not really.

Well, try this for a size.

Thank you, Katrina.

And these must fit you too.

Oh, and try these.

-Perfect.
-Thought so.

Well, off you go now
and put them on.

And then come back here.
I have plenty of work for you.

FRAU: Good heavens.

Well, now do you think I
was wrong to let him stay?

It's got nothing to do
with the boy, Heinrich.

Not the boy himself.

It's Dr. Hoffman
working through him.

Like the business with Felix.

I hope your Dr. Hoffman isn't
dabbling with black magic.

Of course he can do spells,

naturally.

I don't mind science,
I approve of science.

Alchemy.

But magic.

We are Christians here
and he better not forget it.

Looks like a scab to me, Hans.

KATZENYAMMER: Yes.

A boy who'll do that
much in one afternoon.

-We wouldn't want him
in the print shop.
-We would not.

Don't let me catch any of you
making friends with him.

Or else.

No, sir.

I wish he'd work through me.

-Oh, let's see.
-Oh.

New clothes huh?

Yes, Katrina made them
for me, aren't they nice?
Thank you.

Nice and warm, huh?

-Dry.
-Yes.

(LAUGHING)

How do your nice little
clothes feel now, eh?

-Cold and wet.
-Now, what are you going
to do about it?

Get more water.

(KNOCK ON THE DOOR)

Come in.

-May I?
-Yes, of course.
Shut the door.

I...

I was wondering if...

If I could help you to get
Dr. Hoffman to do magic

through you the way he
does it through me, huh?

-Yes, but how did you...
-Oh, I know everything.

Oh, don't blush, August.

-You make me feel ashamed.
-Why?

That's a perfectly ordinary
human thing to want.

And I don't mind.
Not in the least.

-Are you sure?
-Perfectly.

In fact, I'm delighted,
you've come to see me.

Shall we be friends?

-If you like.
-Good.

Then, the first thing
you must understand is

Dr. Hoffman doesn't
work through me.

I work through him.

It's a bit cramped here.
Shall we go somewhere better?

If you...

...like.

44: Pleasant over here,
don't you think?

AUGUST: I think I must be...

-Seeing things?
-44: But perhaps
you'd prefer this.

AUGUST: How did we get here?
44: I brought us.

I think we need some
refreshment after a long
journey like that.

-Mulled wine suit you?
-Wine?

Here, drink it as
hard as you can.

Oh, don't be afraid.
It's prodigious, honestly.

That's the ticket.

-It's delicious.
-Swallow it down then.

As a matter of fact,
I think I'll have one myself.

-Here's mud in your eye.
-What?

Mud in your eye.
English drinking expression.

-Really?
-Yes. It will be.

Oh, you're empty.
Here, have another.

Here's to us being
friends, August.

We're gonna have scandalous
good times, you and I.

Mud in your eye.

What a wonderful dream.

Good morning.

Good heavens, I just had the
most amazing dream about you.

Well, that wasn't
a dream, August.

-What?
-It all happened.

We're pals, remember?

Only, you'd better not let on
to the others. You'd
have a rough time with it.

44, you're amazing.

I'd brave the lot of them
if I had any spirit.

Wish I had.

Well, don't reproach
yourself, August.

You didn't make yourself.
It's not your fault.

Wait, 44.

ERNST: Come on,
you lazy beggar...

(STUTTERS)

What are you making faces
at me for?

-I don't know.
-Huh?

44: Don't waste your time
calling him names.

ERNST: Huh?

-He's not worth it.
-Huh?

AUGUST: Can you speak
to me without speaking?

44: Of course.
So can you to me.

AUGUST: And no one
can hear us?

44: That's right.
AUGUST: Oh, my Lord.

(GROANS)

Oh, you think,
you'll find gold here
Dr. Hoffman?

It's where it would be thrown
in times of danger, madam.

(UTTERING MAGIC SPELL)

(EXCLAIMS)

FRAU: Is it gold?
WOMAN: Oh, madam.

Ah, there it is!

Give it to me.
Give it to me.

Is this all?

There is more.

(UTTERING MAGIC SPELL)

Thank you.

HEINRICH: 44.

-Sir?
-Come here, 44.

It is 44, isn't it?

Oh, yes, sir.
New series 8-6-4-9-6-2.

Yes, well, we won't
go into that.

-You seem diligent.
-Thank you, sir.

A hard and willing worker.

You have had some
ill-treatment to put up
with these two. I know.

You have not been
treated fairly.

-Oh, I've no complaints, sir.
-No.

I knew you wouldn't.

Well, I have good news
for you, 44.

I've decided to make
you an apprentice.

Printing, my boy.

It's the noblest and most
pleasant of the arts.

The greatest of the
mysteries.

I'm deeply honored,
sir. Uh, master.

-He can't do this!
-That'll be a dent
to our profession.

-A pauper?
-It's an outrage!

Silence!

Now, 44, printing is one
of the learned professions.

Have you studied Latin?

No, sir.

-Greek?
-No, sir.

(GIGGLING)

Hebrew?

-No, sir.
-(MEN LAUGHING)

-Mathematics?
-No, sir.

Astrology, astronomy?

I'm afraid not, sir.

Have you ever
studied anything?

-No, sir.
-(LAUGHING)

(SHOUTING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

I'll teach you.

(BELL RINGS)

If you'd like,
I could show you...

Get back to work, Feldner.

But sir, the master
said, that I should...

I said get to your case!

AUGUST: I'll tell you
what to do like this.

44: Don't worry August.
I know what to do.

We'll have a little fun here.
Just you watch.

What?

Are you going to fetch
me some coins,

or not?

You mean these?

Do you expect me to do it?

AUGUST: That thing he's just
bogged up with the coins.

It's called the
chase and you're supposed...

44: I know, I know.

You've been an
apprentice before?

You worked in a
print shop. Huh?

He's a runaway. Must be.

Who'd you run away from, boy?

What I'd like to know
is, how come he's an
experienced apprentice

and yet, he don't know Latin.

Oh, I do know Latin.

-And you told the master...
-Oh, I haven't studied it.

What?

He asked, if I'd studied it.

I haven't. I've just picked
it up as I've gone along.

Honest people don't get
into this profession by
picking things up.

They have to study them.

Binks, try him out.

Put him through his basics.

I'll get you through if I can.

Oh, I can manage. Thanks.

(SPEAKING LATIN)

He knows his numbers, hmm.

Name the cardinal
quadruplicities.

(LAUGHS)
That's caught him.

The cardinal quadruplicities
are Aeries, Cancer,
Libra and Capricorn.

(SPEAKING LATIN)

Ask him alchemy.

Yeah.

Yes.

(SPEAKING LATIN)

Silver.

One of the precious
metals and generally used
ranking next to gold.

It's characterized in
it's pure state by its
lustrous white color

and great malleability
and ductility.

It's chemical symbol
is Ag. It occurs native

and in argentine sulfide
and silver chloride.

The metal does not
oxidize in air,

but quickly tarnishes
when exposed to
sulpher compounds.

It's melting point is
1763 degrees Fahrenheit
and its boiling point

2121 degrees centigrade.

But of course, neither
Fahrenheit nor centigrade
have been invented yet.

If only your experiments
were more successful.

Madam,

it is hard enough
to make gold

with all the forces of
the supernatural
trying to prevent one.

When one is also daily faced
with obstruction and hostility

from the human element.

But Heinrich Stein's
attitude will change.

As soon as you can
show him something positive.

I doubt.

Black magic.

That's what he
calls this, isn't it?

I'm afraid, he's not
a very cultured man.

I'll tell you what black
magic is, Frau Stein.

It's printing.

The superstition of the
printed word.

While science,

art,

true scholarship and learning.

But until he sees it
with his own eyes.

Calcination.

I must work at
the calcination.

(SIGHS)

Meanwhile,

Satan, hark here.

What does that mean?

All this time,
and I never realized.

-The dungeon.
-The dungeon?

There is treasure in
the dungeon.

The dungeon?

Good.

Very good, 44.

Thank you, sir.

Katzenyammer,
the boy is doing well.

All right, take it away.

KATZENYAMMER:
Now look what
you have done!

Can't even walk straight.

-Sorry, sir.
-I'll make you sorry.

You will come back
after supper

and setup your
whole work again.

Katzenyammer, I really
don't think it's necessary.

You wouldn't be wanting
to interfere with the way

your foreman carries
out his job, sir.

No, no.

-But...
-Because if you are, sir,

I must tell you, the men
have been pretty much
provoked, sir, please.

They are not pleased, sir.

Quite so, quite so.

Taking on new apprentices
from no one knows where.

With a perfect right
to appoint to my will,
Katzenyammer.

We have the right to
think what we like
of who you appoint!

You can setup the pike
metal and distribute it

before you start on
what you take.

But, it will take
him all night.

Master,

you do want those bibles
finished on time?

Oh, so sorry.
I thought it was a monster.

(MEN LAUGHING)

FRAU: Dr. Hoffman?

Dr. Hoffman?

Have you...

Have you found it?

(HUSHING)

Oh, madam. Please let's go.
I can't stand it.

-(EXPLOSION)
-(SCREAMING)

From the bowels of the Earth.

For my lady.

What's the matter, father?

The new apprentice.

I wonder if I have been wise.

Oh, yes, father.

But it's not fair,
the way the men treat him.

I know.

But there's nothing I can do.

I must have the bibles
by Monday.

(MEN LAUGHING LOUDLY)

I'm sorry.

I just can't take the risk
of provoking someone.

Poor little lad.

You've done all that already?

Oh, yes. Didn't take long.

-But how...
-Wanna see something?

What on Earth is it?

A newspaper.

A what?

Something someone's going
to invent in 200 years or so.

ERNST: Katzenyammer!

Katzenyammer!

Help us!

He's done it!
The runaway!
He's done everything!

KATZENYAMMER: Well,

we're not having this,
are we lads?

-No, we ain't.
-Binks, take this down.

It's a provocation.

-Aggravated provocation.
-I admit.

It's pretty intolerable.

Aggravated...

...and intolerable
provocation.

We'll all be out of our job.

-It's irreligious.
No doubt about it.
-It's against God.

-It's against nature.
-It's against the guild rules.

Aggravated, intolerable

and irreligious provocation

against the guild rules.

-We all agree then?
-ALL: Agreed.

Strike.

The new apprentice
is unendurable.

Intolerable.

And intolerable aggravation.

Provocation.

And we won't go back to work
tell you send him away.

I can't.

You know I can't.

He has done nothing wrong.
On the contrary, he's...

I'd be expelled from the
right and honorable
Master Printers guild.

It's up to you, master.

Either he goes
or we stay out.

And you won't have your
bibles on Monday.

But I'll be ruined easily!

It's up to you which
you choose.

We wouldn't want to
influence a masters choice,
would we lads?

So, if you want us,

we're in the common room.

(GROANS)

Father Julian,
you're wanted at once!

(CHOIR SINGING)

Oh, dear Lord!
What are we going to do?

Can't you do anything?

Oh, yes, yes.

But the difficulty
dear madam is,

the printers are not on strike
of their own volition.

-No.
-Hear me now.

They are the mere
unwitting tools

of three extremely malignant
and powerful demons.

Oh.

Old enemies of mine.

Belphegor.

-He's French.
-French?

I'm afraid so.

Then there's Haagenti.
He's from Italy.

And worst of all, Martnet,
from Liechtenstein.

-We are surrounded.
-Indeed we are, madam.

Of course, they want
their revenge on me.

What did you do to them?

I did battle with them,
madam, and prevailed.

At the cost of
my life, almost.

It's me they're after.
Not the master.

I have reason to believe,

they brought reinforcements
this time.

If I could only discover
who these other devils are.

I must warn you madam.

I may be forced to invoke
the price of darkness.

(GASPS)

It is a grave
responsibility you wish
me to shoulder, madam.

But, if you insist.

No, no, no.
Surely there must be...

There are other methods.

But, they are slower
and less sure.

I can't promise any
definite results.

FRAU: All the same.

Not the devil himself,
Dr. Hoffman.

Definitely not!

Uh...

As you wish.

Uh, now, could I trouble
you to ask one
of the kitchen staff

to bring me three scruples
of human fat?

Of course, Doctor.

Duffles!
Get going.

Right away, Madam!

(DOOR SLAMS)

(SIGHING WITH RELIEF)

(GULPING)

If only Doangivadam wasn't
off on one of his binges.

He'd know what to do.

Doangivadam?
Who's that?

(LAUGHING)

Oh! More beer!

Landlord, where
the hell are you?
We want more beer!

-I think you've had enough.
-I don't give a damn!
More beer!

Oh, he's one
of the senior printers.

Could be foreman if he
wanted to, but he doesn't
give a damn about anything.

-(CROWD JEERING)
-You've had enough!

(SCREAMING)

He always supports
the underdog.

But he's always cheerful.

Not like this lot here.

He's beautiful.

Think he'd add
to the excitement?

You jeopardize
your hall manners,
you base born you...

-(TINKLING)
-...sons of bitches!

(YELLING)

(YELLING)

(CHOKING)

-Here.
-(GRUNTING)

Thanks.

How the hell did you do it?

-Oh, it's his hands, sir.
He's terribly strong.
-Let me see.

They're as soft as a girl's.
What's your name, lad?

44: Number 44, new series,
8-6-4-9-6-2, sir.

-Huh?
-Oh, we just call him 44, sir.

I'm not surprised.
Well, great job, 44!

Calm yourselves, man!
Now, scums!

What the hell's going on here?

(TINKLING)

-What is it, Wasserman?
-Ernst, for God's sake.

(STAMMERING)
The print-up!

(BANGING)

Invisibles!

It's a magician.

It's that damn
Balthasar Hoffman again!

-MAN: You have gone
too far this time!
-Much too far.

We shall have to inform the
ecclesiastical authorities!

You know what it means,
don't you?

(GROANING)
Uh.

The stake!

-(STUTTERING)
But, but...
-No, but. We've had enough!

-Understand?
-But it's nothing
to do with me!

Oh, no!
Of course not!

Take him to Father Julian!

(CROWD YELLING)
Yeah!

Wait! That won't do.

He'll take his revenge.

He'll die leaving the hex on!
We want it taken off!

We most certainly do.

All right, then.

We'll give him a chance.

-You've lied to us,
Balthasar.
-I haven't.

But...

If we let you off this time,
will you promise
never to do it again?

Yes!

Yes!

On my honor as an alchemist!

Aziluth on your side!

Never!

In the name of St. Luke.

The patron of all doctors.

Father! Father!

The contract has been saved.
The invisibles have printed
all the Bibles.

What? How? Who?

When?

Damn on my slippers.

This is all very well.

-But I'm not calling
off this strike.
-(SIGHING)

Not till we've been paid
waiting wages for time lost!

-You wanna be paid for trying
to ruin your master?
-Certainly.

Full waiting wages.
As per the rule book.

I see.

And where does he come in?

Who pays him
for his time lost?

That's an irrelevancy.

Yes and we're not interested
in irrelevancies.

We're staying out
till we get our money!

And the print shop has been
spiritually disinfected
by a priest.

Oh, come on.

The master never agreed
to that, you know he won't.

Then the contract will fail.

Don't be silly.

It's all been
printed and boxed!

The Bibles haven't been
brought down, have they?

Those boxes need four
strong men each
to carry them.

Until we get our
waiting wages...

-MAN: We won't bring
them down.
-So...

You're not so damn clever
after all, are you?

The contract
will fail after all.

(GROANING)

(BELL CHIMING)

(PANTING)

We can't let Katzenyammer
get away with this.

There must be some way
we can make him eat dirt.

KATRINA: I wish there were.

Those porters...

They're not invisibles.
They're flesh and blood.

-August!
-Sir?

-Take a message to the master.
-Yes, sir.

(CHANTING)

(HUFFING)

It's all your fault.

You could be head of
father's brewery by now.

But, oh, no!
You had to take up printing.
You had to go your own way!

Well, look at you now.

What about me?

What do you want?

Oh, it's about the Bibles,
Frau Stein.

Mr. Doangivadam says to say
the loading's all fixed.

What? How? Who? When?

I don't know, sir, but he says
that he'll see to it

if you see to the men
from the university.

Give them a good dinner, sir.
And make it last
as long as you can.

(CHUCKLING)
I'll make it last all night.

Well?

No, no.
It's not right, still.

It's not our job.

-To load.
-It is.

If I make it worth your while.

Well, maybe.

Here.

Your glass is empty.

I wish you'd let
us help, Katrina.

Certainly not.

Apprentices can't afford
to go strike-breaking.

Not if they want
to keep their places.

Well, we're plenty
strong enough.

You'll just stay out of sight.

You know it provokes the men
just to set eyes on you.

It's for your own good,
my boy.

Kiss your mother and forgive.

Ain't you all
I got in the world.

Well, all right.

(CHUCKLING)

(FIDDLE PLAYING)

♪ A lamb she is a tender thing

♪ She frisks and skips
about in spring

♪ But when it comes
to summertime

♪ We soup her off... ♪

With good red wine.
(CHUCKLING)

She sings beautiful.

From the morning
till to the evening.

Yeah, yeah.
She has five flutes. Five.
(CHUCKLING)

♪ But once she
is a good for tan

♪ We gulp it down
and drink again

♪ A fawn she is so
fresh and frail

♪ She dances,
prances everywhere

♪ But when she grows
she's tasty meat

♪ With good red wine
she's sweet to eat ♪

Hush! Hush!

(MUMBLING)

(HUSHING)

Thought you'd cross
our picket line, huh?

Well, think again!

(LAUGHING)

DOANGIVADAM: (YELLING)
Hey, come back you!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

Now! What do we do?

(SIGHING)

-Now you have to let us help.
-No!

-Why not? There's no one
else, Katrina.
-No, no.

-You're good lads
to offer, but...
-Shh!

(WHISPERING)
Hide here.

KATRINA: It's Katzenyammer
and the printers.

KATRINA: Well, that
beats the bet.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Gentlemen, I've come
to thank you.

After all our disagreements
of the last few days.

After a period of confusion,

and alas, uh,
at times ill-will.

What the hell
is he talking about?

HEINRICH: I'm more grateful,
when I can say...

That you should have felt
able to put aside
all bitterness

to save the honored,
and not merely the honor.

The very existence
of Heinrich Stein,
master printer.

Are you out of your mind?

The way you all pitched in
and carried the boxes from
the print shop to the wagon.

Carried the boxes?

We carried no boxes.

And we won't carry them!

(YELLING)

Won't let anyone
else carry them.

Till we get our waiting wages.

But you brought them down.
I saw you.

Each with a box
on their shoulder.

(ALL LAUGHING)

You're mad!

Those boxes weigh 500 pounds!

HEINRICH: It's true.

They do.

I know, but...
Sure as I'm alive.

I saw you load these
boxes on the wagon!

(LAUGHING)

Next, you'll say,
the master's been paid
and the wagon's gone.

(ALL LAUGHING)

(CHUCKLING)

I have been.

And it has.

(GIGGLING)

It's Hoffman.

It's a debt.

(ANGRILY)
By that Hoffman again!

(GRUNTING)

(CLANKING)

(SHATTERING)

(GRUMBLING)

That's it!
(SPUTTERING)

(WHINING)

(GROANING)

(GRUMBLING)

If you really want to make
gold, you've gone about it
all the wrong way.

-What the devil
are you thinking you...
-Try doing this.

(CLANKING)

(BUBBLING)

(SIZZLING)

(LAUGHING)
If we...

You mean...

-It really can be done?
-Of course.

Now, listen, I'm afraid
the printers have the idea
that you've been...

(GASPING)

Dr. Hoffman?

Uh, hmm?

You've got some
surprises coming.

But don't worry.
I'll see that you're okay.

(SIGHING HAPPILY)

This is the greatest moment...

Of my life.

(YELLING)
No! No!

No! It wasn't me!

I, I swear!
It wasn't me!

Tell that to Father Julian!

(STUTTERING)
No, no, no!

-HOFFMAN: (YELLING)
No!
-(GRUNTING)

HOFFMAN: No, please!
No, no!

What is it, sir?

(GULPING)
Schnapps!

Not bad.

Not bad at all! Landlord,
schnapps for everyone!

Oh!

44, what'd you do
with Doangivadam?

Oh, he'll be much happier
back with his friends.

-But...
-Quick, get on down there,
things are happening, August.

(CHUCKLING)

No, no! I confess!
I confess everything!

It had better be
the truth or else!

Believe me, Katzenyammer.
Believe me!

I have been nourishing
a viper in my bosom.

Yes, indeed a viper!

That boy.

HOFFMAN: That pupil
whom I've loved and cherished.

In my foolish
fondness for the lad,

I taught him some of my
spells and enchantments.

And now he's using
them against you!

-Him?
-That creature!

-What should we do to him?
-Kill him!

-AUGUST: 44, look out!
-(GRUMBLING)

(ALL YELLING)

Gentlemen, gentlemen, think.

What's the use of killing me
when all my magic
comes from him.

If I'm a nuisance to you,
make him put some
other spell on me.

After all, he is the greatest
magician on earth, isn't he?

HANS: All right.

Inside.

Both of you.

I swear.

I swear.

On pain of being delivered up.

On pain of being delivered up.

To the flames
of the holy inquisition.

-To the flames
of the holy inquisition.
-(SCRIBBLING)

And you better believe,
we mean it.

You better believe we...

(SHEEPISHLY)
Sorry.

To take away
this boy's enchantments.

To take away
this boy's enchantments.

FATHER JULIAN: Now,
and forever more, amen.

Now, and forever more, amen.

Ungrateful wretch!

Remember these words!

And the doom, with which
they are laden!

I hereby solemnly pledge...

That the day this boy,
commits a further mischief...

That day, shall I put
such enchantment on him,

I shall surely consume
him to ashes...

Before your very eyes.

(GASPING)

44: I'll tell you what though,
by the time I get
finished with him,

Balthasar is gonna be
the most famous magician
in Austria.

(BOTH CHUCKLING)

You must be very,
very careful.

-(GULPING)
-Yes, Katrina.

You mustn't even try
to work a spell.

-KATRINA: Promise?
-I promise.

Please, 44.

(WHISTLING)

44! Stop it!

Oh, stop what?

Whistling!
You must be more serious.

-Why?
-Because if you're not,
you may die.

-So what?
-We wouldn't wanna lose you.

Well, you won't.

You won't.

-44...
-Hmm?

Why do you wanna
make a reputation
for Balthasar?

Why not yourself?

Oh, we don't care for small
vanities like fame
where I come from.

Where do you...

Where...

Why won't you let me ask you?

Because you wouldn't
understand the answer.

This medieval cooking
is pretty hard to take.

Come on, let's get
some fresh air.

44: Try some duck.

AUGUST: Oh, I don't like duck.
44: Oh, you'll like this.

-Mmm, it's delicious.
-Mmm, yes.

44: Tenderest back.
Hot from America.

-What's America?
-A country.

Where?

Mmm, miles away.
It's not discovered yet.
It will be soon.

What's this?

Hot corn puff from Arkansas.

Split it, butter it...

Close your eyes and enjoy.

Mmm.

Now...

Fried spring chicken.

Milk and flour gravy
from Alabama.

Try it, August and grieve
for the angels because
they ain't got it.

Mmm.

Cream smothered strawberries,
with the prairie dew
still on them.

Let it melt in your mouth.

Don't even try to say
what you feel.

Is this all from America?

Every golden
delicious mouthful.

Have you been there?

-Oh, I've been everywhere.
-AUGUST: When?

Past, present, future.
It's all the same to me.

I don't live in this
century, August.

I don't live in any
century as such.

I don't even live
in the Christian epoch.

Are you a Christian?

I don't subscribe to any
particular faith.

Then I shall convert you.
I'll make it my whole
purpose in life.

The Lord will aid me.
I feel the Holy Spirit
moving in me even now.

Must be very uncomfortable.

44...

Oh, look.

I appreciate it and it's
very kind of you,

but if you made me
a Christian,
I'd be terribly lonely.

Why?

I'd be the only one
in the world.

It's not funny.

No.

Religion, 44,
is our only stay.

It's the most precious
thing we have.

God is everywhere.

Not a sparrow falls
without his seeing it.

I've always been up a stump
with that one.

AUGUST: Why?

Well, the sparrow falls
just the same.
What good is seeing it?

Well...

(STUTTERING)
That...

Your problem is you're
afraid of hellfire,
that's all.

-And so should you be.
-44: Oh, no.

You see, there is one
great difference between
you and me, August.

You know what it is to be
afraid and I don't.

I'll tell you what,
I'll teach you how
to be invisible.

-What?
-I'll give you a magic word.

You won't be able to say
it out loud, of course.

-Got it?
-Yes.

Well, this is what happens.

44: Go on, try it.

(NERVOUSLY)
Like...
Like this?

AUGUST: Help!
How do I get back?

You say the word again.

-Like this?
-Exactly.

-How wonderful!
-(CHUCKLING)

Better than saving souls,
isn't it?

Oh, but this is...
Fun!

-How did we get here?
-The usual way.

(CHUCKLING)

I'm gonna sleep
with my clothes on.

I guess I'm about ready
for bed myself.

Good night.

Good night.

44: (PUFFING)
Good night, August.

(BANGING)

It's about time!

(CROWD JEERING)
Yeah! Yes!

No, I'm the first.

(GASPING)

-Hi, fellas.
-MAN: What is that?

MAN: Where the devil
did you get that outfit?

Oh, do you like it?

What right have you got to
dress yourself up like that?

I just thought I'd get
dressed up today.

We're not going back
to work are we?

KATRINA: Foolish boy!
You shouldn't have done it.

HANS: Where did you
get those clothes, huh?

Balthasar Hoffman
designed them for me.

-Liar! You stole them!
-44: I did not.

He simply said a magic word
and presto!

Hell, he did!

Ernst, I don't think you
realize what a mighty
enchanter Dr. Hoffman is.

Is he? Well...

Let's see what he does
about this!

Stop! Stop!

(YELLING)
No, indeed!

Sublime and noble master,
what is your command?

Oh, Master?

If it is your will,
I must obey you.
But I beg you.

44: Spare me this heavy duty.
Punish them yourself
with your own dread hand.

(GROWLING)

Very well.

Your will is law.

You will shortly discover...

That it is not well
to offend the master.

No indeed?

(MUTTERING)

(GASPING)

(BLOWING NOSE)

-What's he going to do?
-Could be anything.

(STUTTERING)
Uh...

Anything dreadful.

Anyone want more?

Well, it serves you right.
That's what I think.

Mean-spirited devils,
the lot of you.

-(WIND HOWLING)
-(THUDDING)

(HURRIED FOOTSTEPS)

Here. All he wants he said...

(GASPING)

You bastard of black magic!
Who the hell are you?

Hans Katzenyammer,
foreman of the shop.

Don't be stupid.

-I'm Katzenyammer.
-No, you're not. I am.

HANS: Have you been
setting type up there?

Well, that's what
I'd be doing.

Who told you
you could?

I told myself.

HANS: The hell you did!

Do you belong to the guild?

-Certainly not.
-Why?

-We're on strike.
-Well, we're not.

-Scrap!
-Rascal!

Up and at him, boys!

(YELLING)
Boys! Help!

My God!
It's impossible!

-Me?
-Me.

You may not be guild
members, but you must
have some terms...

-...and conditions of service.
-No.

-Meal breaks, beer allowance!
-No.

-How much does Stein pay you?
-We don't need pay.

No pay?

(SCREAMING)

(INDISTINCT SCREAMING)

Oh, oh!

Good evening, gentleman.

Eh...

Uh...

Oh, my Lord.

MAN: None of that.
You did this!

You know damn well you did!

MAN: Yes.

You told us to bring
down those boxes.

(STUTTERING)
No, no, really,
truly that, I...

I ordered something
quite different.

Completely different.

(NERVOUS CHUCKLE)

It's this little imp again!

I've warned you.

Yeah, haven't I warned him
in front of all of you!

I've told him what
would happen!

HANS: Go on, then.

Turn him to ashes.

Or it's off
to the holy inquisition.

HOFFMAN: Well...

(CHANTING SPELL)

(CRACKLING)

(GASPING)

Hello.

(GASPING IN SHOCK)

August?

August? Stop!

It's me.
I'm not a ghost,
I'm alive again, that's all.

I am, honestly.

(CHUCKLING)
Come on, touch me.

(CHUCKLING)
You see?

But didn't...

Didn't...

-Did you really die or not?
-Yes, I died.

There's nothing to it.
I have done it often.

(SIGHING)

The duplicates are a good
idea, don't you think?

Who...
What are they?

-Fictions.
-What do you mean?

Well, you know you're not
one person but two.

No, of course not.
How could I be?

By the laws of your nature.

There's your working day self
who tends to daily business,

and there's your dream self.

Your dream self
has no responsibilities.

All he's interested
in is romance and excursions.

And adventure.

44: I'm gonna show you
just how much freer and nobler

your dream self is than
your working day self.

Especially, when
it comes to Marget.

AUGUST: Oh, Marget's
far beyond me.

44: But you dream of her.
AUGUST: Oh, well.

44: What makes you so sure
she doesn't dream of you?

(GASPING)

(SCREAMING)

(SHRIEKING)

(SHRIEKING)

MAN: What's the matter?
What's the matter?

WOMAN: What's going on?

(YELLING)

44!

-AUGUST: What have I done?
-You've been up
to mischief, I hear.

-It's all your fault.
-44: (GIGGLING)

-It's not funny.
-Oh, it is.
You know it is.

I haven't laughed
so much for centuries.
(CHUCKLING)

It's dreadful.
Marget and I...

I know, I know.
But don't worry,
there was only one witness.

I know,
but she'll tell everyone.

Well, not if we kill her.

Don't be insane.

Well, she's got to die
sometime, August.
It really doesn't matter when.

You can't go around
just killing people.

Why not?
Other people do.

Human beings
aren't important.

-We'll kill her off.
-No!

August, why not?

-It wouldn't be Christian.
-Oh, right.

Oh, then we'll turn her
into a cat.

No!

(MEWING)

(SIGHING)
44!

Sorry, I had to act fast.
She was on her way
to the master.

I don't care.
You have no right.

Marget's reputation
would have been in ruins.

Are you sure?

Positive.

(MEWING)

Let her in, would you?

All right, but...

WOMAN VOICE: You did this!

Oh, yes, I did, indeed.

You're mean, mean!
I never did you any harm.

Oh, you were gonna
do your mistress harm.
I couldn't allow that.

Well.

Will they treat me well?

Extremely well.

DUFFLES: Sure?

I give you my word.

In that case...

I think I'd rather be a cat
than a maid any day.

It's sheer slavery here,
you have no idea.

Um... Frau Stein?

-DUFFLES: Will she treat
me well?
-Yes, I promise.

Well, then.

I think I'll stay a cat,
if that's all right with you.

(EXCITEDLY)
I never knew what not
it was to be a cat before.

It's a jag, Duffles.
It's a jag.

(MEWING)

44: See no harm done at all.

None at all.
You've done her a favor.

Can you do anything?

Oh, pretty much.

Do you know everything?

Pretty much.

Then...
Why did you come here?
Please don't put me off!

Why did you come?

Well, that's a very
intelligent question, August.

So, I'll give you
the honest truth.

Where I come from
we can all foresee the future.

-Everything?
-Everything.

Which means when it happens
there's nothing to it.

No surprises.

So you just came here
to be surprised?

I'm only young, you know?

It's only natural
to wanna astonish people
and show off,

and see and do all the things
a boy likes to be and do.

So, I come here and get
things nicely worked up
like they are now.

-You're wicked.
-Sure, why not?

And it's all coming
nicely to the boil.

I can't feed the men
their breakfast, Frau Stein.

Can Duffles bring the milk?

Well, where is Duffles?

-I'll wring her neck.
-(MEWING)

-(MEWING)
-There, there.

Poor puss wants her cream.

It's all that
magician of yours.

First he makes away
with my darling boy.

And now Duffles
has disappeared.

Just let me get
my hands on him.
That's all.

-No breakfast.
-No wages.

And no work.

There's only one thing to do.

Balthasar.

Balthasar.

And this time...
(BANGING)

We're in, Hoffman.

HANS: You'd better pray.

Heinrich!

(YELLING)
Heinrich!
Come out of there!

They're gonna murder
Dr. Hoffman!

At last.

HANS: Black magic

can't help you now!

No!
I'm a Christian.

I was baptized.

I go to confession!

I swear to God!

FRAU: Heinrich!
Heinrich, you've got
to stop them!

It's only what he had
coming for him.

And at what time too.
(CHUCKLING)

More fresh wood!

HEINRICH: (LAUGHING)
Hey!

More fresh wood!
(LAUGHING)

-Put a stake!
-No!

(CROWD YELLING)

(YELLING)
Balthasar Hoffman!

(CROWD YELLING)

No, no!

It was only tricks.

Honest to God!

I will show you
how to do them.

(CROWD LAUGHING)

KATRINA: (YELLING ANGRILY)
Let me at him!
Let me at him!

He murdered my 44!

FATHER JULIAN: Keep her back.

Hold her!

(ANGRILY)
His blood is mine by right!

His blood is God's!
Bind him!

HOFFMAN: A blindfold.

Where's my blindfold?

You can't expect me do this
without a blindfold.

-I...
-(CROWD LAUGHING)

(SPUTTERING)

Now take him to the stake.

(SCREAMING)

(CROWD CHANTING)
Hey, hey!

(GROANING)

Leave him at the top.

FATHER JULIAN: Depart...

Damned soul!

You shall rage in eternal woe.

(SCREAMING)

ERNST: It's 44! Look!

(CRACKLING)

AUGUST: You're going away now?

44: Yes.

Oh, we've been good
comrades, haven't we ?

It's been fun.

AUGUST: Won't we ever see
one another again?

44: No.

AUGUST: But, in another life.

We shall meet again
in another life.

44: There is no
other life, August.

AUGUST: But...

You've talked
about the future.
You've been there.

44: In a dream.

It was a vision.

It had no real existence.

AUGUST: None of it?

44: Life itself is a dream.

God, man, uh, sun and moon,
and stars, it's all a dream.

AUGUST: There's...
There's no God?

44: No God?

No.

No universe, no human race,
no life on earth.

No heaven and no hell.

Just dreams.

Nothing exists but empty
space in you.

AUGUST: Then...

Who are you?

44: Your dream.

You called me
so I came, the creature
of your imagination.

Not so limited
after all, was it?

In a moment you realize
I'm telling the truth and...

You'll banish me
from your dreams,
I shall dissolve

into the nothingness
out of which you called me.

You see, you do believe me.

You're free now, August.
A free man.

But...

What shall I do without you?

Dream other dreams.

Better ones.