Original subtitles

- Domenico! - Let him sleep. Why wake him up?

You know how he is.

Then you tell him to do things properly.

He's no longer a child. He knows that too.

- Is there ham inside? - Yes.

Such a chance doesn't happen every day.

- Remind him of everything. - Do me a favor.

If you've time, go by the grocer. I'm out of oil.

- Which oil? - The one in cans.

- Alright. Bye. - Bye.

- Franco. - What is it?

Hurry. You still have to finish your homework.

- Come on! - Alright.

Every morning, the same old story.

With all the time you boys have during the day,

you always do things at the last minute.

Your father got upset yesterday.

One day he'll get tired of this.

- Where are my books? - Did you leave them in the kitchen?

Look at him. He doesn't even know where he puts his books.

Who told you to get my strap?

Put it back.

Don't try to trick me.

And don't shrug. Understand?

- What is it? - It's for the strap.

I gave it to him. Don't complain. You're not a child anymore.

What do you need a strap for? You'll have a job soon.

It's absurd!

They always argue, like cat and dog.

They don't even seem like brothers.

And the envelope? If you do this during the exam, it's bad news.

Your father reminded me.

Many people in your place would be happy.

If you get hired there, you'll have a steady job all your life.

Remember that.

- Do you have a handkerchief? - Yes.

- Is there enough money? - I don't know.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

You don't know? I gave you 1,000 Lira.

Yes, but I must eat too.

How much do expect to spend on food?

- Go to the dairy shop. - I don't know.

You've always gone to the dairy shop.

All those stories...

- Here, take it! - Forget it.

Franco, come here!

Give it to your brother. Tell him to bring me the change tonight.

- Don't be silly. - Why?

You are more sensitive than the others.

Do you go to a co-ed?

How fortunate! I've always gone to catholic schools.

Did you see the little boy who goes to school?

- Excuse me. - The boss!

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning.

- May I help you? - I came to...

- Fourth floor, Personnel Office. - For the exams.

- Fourth floor, Personnel Office. - Thank you.

Excuse me, where is the Assistance Office?

- What? - The office that helps the poor.

I went in, and he started yelling.

- That idiot! - And you?

I let him talk, and then I said,

"You are very rude."

"I'm not obliged to be your servant."

"It's not my job to get you sandwiches for a snack."

- "Understand?" - What did he answer?

- He didn't say a word. - Good for you.

Sir, if we don't bother you, we'll come by later.

- After the exam, let me know. - Of course.

- Excuse me if I disturbed you. - It's alright.

- If I can be useful, I'm glad. - Thank you.

- Again. - Ignazio, say goodbye.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye, son.

Thank you.

Come here.

Did you hear the engineer?

They'll surely hire him. He's got connections.

It doesn't mean anything. What matters is the exam.

If you don't pass the exam, they won't hire you.

Is it true that the most important exam is the psycho-technical one?

I don't know.

I already took it once, for my military service.

Good morning.

- Good morning. - I am a company representative.

I will follow you in these exams.

As you know, these tests

are meant to get a specific idea of your qualities.

The psycho-technical exam.

Don't worry.

They are very easy tests. You'll easily pass them.

I must check your names on the list.

Then the delivery man will hand out the exam sheets.

- Bernasconi Giuseppe. - Present.

- Bonfanti Attilio. - Present.

- Cantoni Domenico. - Present.

- Cappelli Guido. - Present.

- Cavallaro Elisabetta. - Present.

Colombo Carlo.

Colombo Carlo isn't here?

- Guacci Corrado. - Present.

- Anzoni Ignazio. - Present.

My son.

- Lo Cascio Attilio. - Present.

- Masetti Antonia. - Present.

- Monguzzi Arte... - Arteme.

With an "M". They made a mistake on the letter too.

We'll correct it. Noseda Filippo.

- Present. - Poletti Luciana. Ponzoni Ernesto.

- What's going on? - Exams.

Exams for what?

Exams for going to work.

That's fun!

Come and sit down.

Down there, too, spread out. There's lots of room.

Whoever wants can take their coat off.

On the desks you'll find sheets of paper and pencils.

The papers are stamped and can't be substituted.

If you make mistakes, you can go ahead and correct.

Math problem.

"From a copper wire roll

520 meters long..."

"520 meters..."

"Three quarters are cut."

"From what remains, four fifths

will be cut."

"How many centimeters of copper wire will be left?"

That's all.

Time, one hour.

Go ahead and begin.

- Here. - Already finished?

- Yes. - Good.

You can go to your place.

Everybody, time is up.

Hand over your work.

Pass that sheet.

You too, thank you.

You too.

It doesn't matter. Forget it.

Hand it over as it is.

Pasta with white sauce. I'll bring you water.

Do you want to eat? Come in the kitchen.

Serve that gentleman, please.

Here's the water.

Sit down. I'm coming.

Steak without pepper.

Rice with butter, pasta with butter, vegetable soup?

- Pasta with butter. - Steak, cheese, fried eggs?

- Fried eggs. - Mineral water, orange juice...

- Still water. - Alright.

- No, it's the gentleman's. - Pass the newspaper.

"He beats his old mother."

"Traces of blood on the stairs."

"He tries to kill his wife chasing her in the field,

waving an axe."

"Temperatures are slightly decreasing."

"Snow on the Alpine mountain chain."

"Fog in Val Padana."

Hi. I took the exam too.

Hi.

Goodbye.

They told us to go at 3 p.m.

- We should get there a bit early. - Yes.

- Are you from outside Milan too? - No. Why?

- You ate in the dairy shop. - I'm alone at home. My mom works.

- The food isn't bad there. - No...

You know what?

Smell.

Don't you smell anything?

The smell of fried food!

Maybe because we ate in the kitchen.

- No, it's the dairy shop. Want some? - A little.

Just a drop. It's essence.

- Why there? - It goes directly into my nose.

Come on, silly!

Now you smell like a girl.

- What was your answer? - 24.

Me too.

- It wasn't difficult. - Not one bit.

Did you see the man near the window?

- The one with the raincoat? - Poor thing!

He couldn't remember the equivalence.

Right! He was married. Did you see?

He had a wedding band.

- Did you go to secretarial school? - No, middle school.

I wanted to study languages, but then I got tired of it.

A woman sooner or later, gets married, and that's it.

I like these with lots of buttons, straps....

I like all sporty looking stuff.

If I get a job, I'll buy a motorcycle

together with my dad.

He has a scooter now,

but if we get one, we'll get a 150.

- Do you know how to ride it? - Yes, I drive my dad's scooter.

A scooter is different than a 150. Maybe you've a scooter with pedals!

What salary they'll give us?

- I don't know. - How much would you like to get?

I'd like, if I could...

If you could... If you could, a million.

With 35.000 lira a month I'd be happy. It's my first job.

My father says that in these big companies

the salaries aren't high,

but they are steady jobs for a lifetime.

What a smell of coffee!

Shall we have coffee?

Yes.

- Two coffees. - Are you paying?

- Yes. - Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir.

- What? - "Sir".

Let's move.

There's so much confusion.

- What is it? - My spoon fell.

Wait, there's mine.

- How is it? - Good.

A bit bitter.

I can see everything from here.

They don't know what to do.

They started over here at least seven times.

There are too many bosses. They all think they're engineers.

Come here a moment.

- It's past 2:30 p.m. - Goodbye.

You can't step on the grass!

- We are late. - You should've come earlier.

Hands over your heads.

Rotate your hands as if imitating

a light bulb being unscrewed.

Imitate the movement of a light bulb being unscrewed.

Enough. Arms forward at the height of your chin.

Arms forward at the height of your chin!

Palms up.

Palms down.

Palms up... Palms down.

Palms up. Palms down.

Palms up, palms down.

Palms up. Palms down.

Wait for me to say it. Palms up. Palms down.

Up. Down. Up. Down.

Keep your hands at the height of your chin.

Squat down bending your knees.

Squat down bending your knees. Go!

The ladies can turn towards the wall.

Down.

- Enough. Alright. - Enough!

Everyone on this side, in the corner of the room. Go on!

The first person can come forward.

No. You come with me.

No. Your face against the wall.

Now you will repeat out loud all that the doctor says.

- I understand. - Seventeen.

- Tangerine!

Fifty-two.

I didn't understand.

Sit down.

Your answers to the questions

must only be "yes" or "no", nothing else. Understand?

Do you mind eating outside your home?

Do you mind eating outside your home?

Does the future look hopeless?

Are you often tormented by intense itching?

Did you wet the bed between 8 and 14 years old?

Did you ever have serious problems

and lose your job for being drunk?

Do you dislike the opposite sex?

Do you often drink to forget your sorrows?

Sometimes.

Not sometimes. Yes or no!

Hi.

- Did you wait for me? - It was early.

- How did it go? - Fine.

- For me too. - Who questioned you?

The man with the long smock doing the knee squats.

- Why are you laughing? - They asked me strange questions.

Yeah. To me too.

If the exam went well, you think they'll hire us?

Why calling us, otherwise?

- What streetcar are you catching? - I'm walking.

It's two stops to the north station.

I'll walk with you.

- Want a chewing gum? - Yes.

- Are you crazy? - Nothing comes put.

- You must put money inside. - I did.

So it's broken. You're knocking down the window for a gum?

What a jerk!

Meanwhile, it robbed you of 10 lira.

- Where do you live, exactly? - Meda.

- What is your name? - Cantoni.

- No, your first name. - Domenico.

- It's an old-fashioned name. - And you?

- What? - What is your name?

- Magalì. - Magalì? What name is that?

- It's a French name. - Are you French?

No.

A boy in my street started calling me that.

I didn't like my name, so I began calling myself Magalì.

Now they all call me that.

- But what is your real name? - Antonietta.

- Antonietta isn't bad. - No.

I've 2 names on my birth certificate, but they call me Domenico.

- What's the other? Maybe it's nicer! - Trieste, I think.

Trieste? What kind of name is that?

Maybe it's for when Trieste became Italian.

This isn't my streetcar. I'm going towards San Siro.

But if you have to go, feel free to do so.

No. I've a train every half hour.

You know something?

- Domenico suits you. - Why is that?

You're old-fashioned too, like your name.

- I have to go now. Bye! - Bye!

- Maybe we'll meet again. - If they give us the job...

- Let's hope so. Bye. - Bye.

I'd like to find new words,

but while it rains, I cry with you!

Bye, bye, little girl,

another kiss

and then I'll lose you forever.

I'd like to find new words,

but while it rains,

I cry with you!

- Hi. - Hi.

- How did it go? - Fine.

- Fine. Fine, how? - Fine.

Tell me about it.

We did the essay, the math problem,

and in the afternoon we did the psycho-technical exam.

What do you say about this one, madam?

I think it'll be fine. Show that one to me.

- That one? - It costs about 26.000 lira.

No. I've had too many expenses. He needs it to go to work.

Show me something else... That one.

- Yes, precisely that one. - Here.

- Is it still raining? - I don't know.

Is it cloudy or clear?

Cloudy.

- Domenico. - Yes?

- Turn off the light. Sleep. - Yes, now.

Hurry, or tomorrow morning it'll take trumpets to wake you.

I said you won't wear your raincoat. The sun's coming out.

Lower your coat collar.

With all the hair lotion you put on, you'll soil it.

- Hi, Michele. - Hi.

No, only for four.

- Bacon. - Yes, bacon.

Good morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Hi. - Hi.

- You're here too. - Yes.

- Good morning! - Good morning!

- Excuse me. - Sorry.

It' ok. Good morning. Hi.

Sit down.

- Did you see? - What?

They chose us.

- What did your folks say? - There were glad.

My mother too.

- Hi - Good morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

See? They were at the exam.

Yes.

But we aren't many.

Who knows about the others!

- Maybe they weren't chosen. - I don't know.

- We were lucky. - Sure.

- Are Duraschi and Ponzoni here? - I'm Ponzoni.

Come. Isn't Duraschi here?

I'm here. Sorry. The streetcar was late.

You don't have a card yet, or you'd have gotten a red code.

- Tomorrow get it earlier. - Of course.

A moment of patience, and I'll be right with you.

Yes.

You think they'll call us in alphabetical order?

I don't think so. Ponzoni comes after me. I am "C".

- I come before too. I'm "M". - Right.

- It's hot in here. - No. It's because you're nervous.

My hands are wet.

Cappelli.

Cavallaro. Cantoni.

Me!

- Bye. - I'll see you later. Bye.

- Are we going outside? - Yes.

You'll go to an outside department, technical management.

Away from here is better.

- Sartori! - What?

- Have him come. - Yes.

Come.

Come in, please.

I don't know if they told you at the Personnel Office,

but for the time being, we don't need employees here.

To be truthful, I'd asked for a delivery boy.

Anyway, we'll find a job for you too, eventually.

Your education?

The three classes. I wanted to be surveyor,

but I've another little brother who studies, so we decided that I...

Come in.

Do you plan on continuing to study or...

I wish, at night school.

If you have will power, you can do anything.

Yes.

There's a job as delivery boy if you want.

Rather than staying home without doing anything...

You can begin getting oriented,

becoming familiar with the department, practicing.

Come in!

Yes?

Excuse me, sir. This is my excuse for being late.

It's the 3rd, if I'm correct, and it's just the beginning of the month.

Your children have grown. They're not little anymore.

It's about time they get by on their own.

Listen, you introduce him to Sartori,

and have him explain the work. Have him do something.

- Alright. - Go with the lady.

Remember, be responsible.

- Yes. - Let's go.

- Sartori! - Yes?

The engineer entrusts him to you. Show him something,

the work to be done.

- Who is he? - The new delivery boy.

- What's he like? - Cute, very young.

- Sit down. - Thank you.

The accountant sent me this from Cervino. He goes there every year.

Let it ring.

When they're tired of ringing, they'll stop.

There's a bad habit here... urgency.

They are all in a rush.

If they're in a rush, instead of sitting there all day,

they should get some fresh air. It'd be good for them.

- Did you see what happened? - What?

- The light bulb burned. - Again?

These light bulbs burn out right away.

I don't do anything. I don't touch them.

I'm there working and bang! They burn out.

Accountant, would you take a look here, please.

- Today's date. - Yes, today's date.

Don Luigi, dearest, could I borrow a cigarette?

- My friend. - No!

Darn! It's just a cigarette!

I don't trust him.

A ruffian. He doesn't look at people in the face.

He's blind!

He likes to waste electricity. He doesn't pay for it.

Only the Lord knows what he writes every evening.

What does he write? A novel maybe. I don't know.

"Another obscure point."

"Why didn't he remember the trip with his friend right away?"

Not too much on the sideburns.

Just a little.

- Who is it? - I'm Mrs. Seminari.

Don't get upset with me. I've no more coffee.

Too bad, madam. I'm sorry, but I've none too.

I don't drink it because of my heart. My husband has cocoa in the morning.

I'm sorry. I don't have any.

Mr. Luigi, someone came today.

He said he was a friend of your poor uncle,

and that he kept a collection of "La Domenica del Corriere".

He wanted to buy it at a good price, naturally.

As you know, here only those with a good voice can sing.

Speaking of voices, I've the pleasure of introducing tonight

someone who has an amazing voice, our Carletto.

He'll sing his pride and joy. Please, maestro.

Bravo, Carletto!

Bravo, Carletto! He is almost 60.

- He still sings "The Puritans". - It's your turn after.

- Is your mother home? - Come.

Come, Mrs. Regina.

It's 450 grams.

- Thanks. How much? - The usual. 120 for 100 grams.

- Forget it. - No.

- You can pay me tomorrow. - I'll check in my wallet.

If I had children like them, I'd have busted their heads.

You're lucky you don't have any, or you'd do like everyone else.

Even worse.

One, two, three... Jinx!

- Jinx! - Jinx!

Did it ring already?

It'll ring now, in a minute.

Then I had better start going,

or I'll find a commotion.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye. Enjoy your meal.

Thanks, same to you.

I don't understand. He retired 3 months ago, but is always here.

He sits over there, sleeps and waits for the bell to ring.

I wonder why he comes.

When they'll let me retire, they won't see me again.

Tresoldi, how's it going? Always looking sharp!

You look like a young man. Goodbye!

- Who is this handsome boy? - A new employee.

You'll like it here. We're like a family. Goodbye.

Goodbye, sir.

- What a nice person! - Yeah, sure.

Anyway, just to avoid mistakes,

it's better not to talk much.

In this world, it's good to trust everyone...

Except those who have two holes in their noses.

Teeth!

It's tough eating without teeth.

Getting old is bad news.

Are you waiting for someone?

- A girlfriend. - What is her name?

I don't know.

Department?

I wouldn't know.

She works here or outside?

Here, I think.

Second shift.

They come for lunch at the second shift.

We leave and they arrive. Understand?

Oh, Lord, it's raining!

You're here! Well?

Did you find her? No luck?

Did you see how it's raining?

You don't have an umbrella?

- Come on, I'll accompany you. - No, thank you.

Are you ashamed because I am old? Give me your arm.

You look like a general.

Sartori... Here.

- And you? - Cantoni.

Here.

This morning my wife gave me a big kiss.

She only kisses me once a month, when I get paid.

Wow! Are you a member of the SS?

- May I go? - Go, otherwise you'll torment me.

- Sartori, the letter? - I don't have any letter.

It's cold.

- Where are we going? - To the fair?

Sir, you want to throw? Eight balls, 50 lira.

You can win a goldfish.

Nice!

- Where did you buy it? - I won it at the fair.

Good job!

- You know where they sell them? - No.

In that store in Via Torino, at the corner with Via Speronari.

- Do you know where? - No.

Once my wife bought one too.

It was bigger than this one,

very nice.

Then a little girl,

who was one of our neighbors,

gave it too much to eat and it died.

They are very delicate animals.

How's it going? What a lovely child!

- Let me see you. - Hi, girls.

How lovely!

There are packages with their food.

- Yes. - Alright.

It runs in the family.

Let me see the boy.

What a love!

His granddad teases him with his moustache. If he sees one, he cries.

I still have the vase where the other fish was, at home.

- I'll give it to you. - Really?

- Yes. - Thank you.

You are a good boy.

Good-day, sir.

- Mail from technical management. - Someone will take care of it.

It's a mess here.

Hi!

- Hi! - Where did you end up?

They sent me to an outside department,

technical management.

- How are you? - Fine.

I almost didn't recognize you dressed like that.

They didn't need employees,

but they assured me there will be an opening in the future.

It's not easy to be hired.

I am here, at the typing office.

Yes, I know.

- Hi. - Hi.

Why didn't you come around anymore?

I leave 15 minutes later in the evening,

and I'm in the first shirt at the cafeteria.

On New Year's Eve I'm going to the staff party. Will you come?

I don't know if Mom will allow it, but I think so.

We are all friends, office colleagues.

It would be wonderful!

This lady is my boss.

I'm going. I don't want to be seen talking in the corridor.

Goodbye.

Have a merry Christmas.

- I'm going to Angelo's to watch TV. - Don't be late.

It's unappropriate to overstay your welcome.

Evening radio.

What's new?

The Prime Minister's season's greetings speech.

In Genoa, lunch for 10.000.

Melancholy thieves give back the loot.

Well?

Here, and don't come home too late.

At his age I never went out in the evening, not even on New Year's.

He's just going to the after work center.

Yeah. Meanwhile, he left.

They are always right. They get by with their talking.

Good evening. Come!

- Give the gentleman a ticket. - Here.

- Here's a nice party hat. - No. This is for a woman.

There, that's fine.

- Here's a noisemaker. - Give him a bottle right away.

Every person that comes can be accompanied by a lady,

or if alone, by a bottle of wine. Are you alone?

Is there a lady with you?

Then here's a bottle. Happy New Year.

- Happy New Year! - Happy New Year.

He received the bottle.

Waiting for someone?

Come here.

Come here. You'll be with company.

The bottle.

Come here and sit down.

Good evening!

I noticed that not even one couple is dancing here.

We are here to have fun.

This is a night we must not forget,

and everyone is invited.

So we've planned a nice surprise for you.

- Where do you come from? - Meda.

- Where do you work? - Technical management office.

I am at the workshop.

"Abboccato del Garda."

Excuse me. May I?

They didn't give one to him because we are two.

If you want, I can open it.

"Othello" tonight? But it's New Year's.

How lovely!

- It won't hurt you. Seems like water. - Hey!

- It's New Year's. Cheers! - Cheers!

- May I? My wife. - My pleasure.

- Pleased to meet you. - My pleasure, madam.

Ladies and gentlemen, a small performance for you.

We called in a great singer.

Singer, comedian...

Let's say just singer.

He'll sing for you...

Will it be the same as last year?

He's something!

I will sing the sad song about my car.

Friends, please sing along while I sing you a sad song.

It sounds like a nursery rhyme that just sprang up from my mind.

My relatives are so noble that they ate my automobile.

Starting with my aunt Hillary who ate the entire battery.

I called the English to save the day, there goes the chassis clean away.

Then my cousin Hannibal ate the chauffeur, that cannibal.

Then him, along with is brother, ate one door and another.

My friends, I'm singing and playing and I'm about to explain.

Pardon me, I'm telling you late,

my car was made of chocolate.

And now, let's continue dancing!

Finally!

May I have this waltz?

Will you dance?

Go dance.

Your attention. During this dance,

there will be a cloud passing like this, slowly.

Take advantage of it.

Remember, you must know how to do it

because if you get caught, you'll surely give a bad impression.

So, fiancés, husbands, suitors and such,

stand up, it's your turn.

Mrs. Benetti, please.

What is this stuff?

Why don't you dance?

Don't you know how?

Go.

It doesn't matter if you can't. I'll lead you.

Come.

Minus 5, 4, 3,

2, 1... - It's midnight. Shoot the cannon!

Ladies and gentlemen, we killed the year!

Let's raise our glasses and toast to the future!

An important warning!

We were kindly granted, by those tearing tickets at the entrance,

that husbands and fiancés

can kiss on the mouth.

Drink. You'll be more cheerful!

Personal.

Company.

This belongs to the company too.

Personal.

What is it?

"Chapter 19."

I would say personal.

A feather.

Personal.

Please, sit down.

Did you see?

It's crazy.

A newcomer arrives, and they put him up front.

The accountant's usual injustice.

I will go to him. I've been here 20 years with this light bulb.

I can't stand this life anymore.

- It would be my turn too. - No, it's my turn.

This is my row.

I'm not working anymore.

I'll go talk to him.

That's it.

- Sir. - What is it?

It's about the job at the desk.

I've been here 20 years with that light bulb damaging my eyesight.

It's not right. Do things properly.

The desk goes to who has been here the longest.

You should move back. You don't mind, do you?

You surely understand. Thank you.