Original subtitles

This is strictly business.

For you, it's business.

For me, it's very personal. I don't set up this audition.

This D 'Angelo guy, well, number one, he's going to close down Caruso's,

I'd like to know what's going on here.

Well, I was singing a song.

Yeah, I know that.

I mean, what's really going on? Are you, are you, are you Sal's?

Am I Sal's girl?

You got big dreams.

You want fame.

Fame comes.

And right here is where you start paying.

Yes.

Did I not make myself clear?

Very clear.

It's just that I thought maybe we could work something out.

Why don't you come inside? We'll have a cup of tea. Mr. Caruso.

By the way, I like the name.

Like it a lot.

Mr. Caruso, you must understand something. This is nothing personal.

strictly business.

For you, it's business.

For me, it's very personal.

This place means everything to me. Mr. Caruso, I know this place means a lot to

you. That's why I came down personally to let you know what's going on.

I thought you'd be grateful.

Yeah, I'm grateful.

I am grateful.

Usually when people are grateful, they say thank you.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Buonanotte.

What the hell is going on here? What's he doing up there?

The guys in the band said it was okay. Well, I want him out of here. Now!

That's not the drummer I hired. I want him out. Now!

But everybody was really enjoying it, Mr. Crusoe. Really. Everybody but me.

I still run things around here. Do you understand me? We got the message. All

right. Good.

Then get out of here. All of you.

Morning, Mrs. Berg.

Mrs.

Berg?

No.

What?

Okay. Are you all right, Mrs. Berg?

Oh. Oh, yes. Yes, I'm fine. I was just resting my eyes.

Maybe so, but you were also giving your adenoids quite a workout.

I assume you've made the morning announcements.

Well, no, not just yet.

Well, I'm here to tell you you're late.

Well, that's a relief.

What? Now I know why you're here.

It's been a mystery to me for the longest time.

I'm going to go to the teacher's lounge and have a cup of coffee.

I'd like to have something a lot stronger, but I'll settle for a nice hot

coffee.

Bye.

on the Oboe and Western Civilization will be held Saturday morning at 6 .30 a

.m. Some seats are still available.

I don't believe it. If you have lost a gray winter coat with five frozen TV

dinners and four wristwatches stuffed into the inside pocket, please claim it

the administration office.

That's all for today.

Mr. Shirofsky.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Did I interrupt something?

Talking about a rude awakening.

Uh, just who's Gertrude?

None of your damn business.

You're right. I was out of line.

Still, I gotta hand it to you.

I hope I'm still kicking up some dust when I'm, uh...

You know what I mean.

I haven't got the slightest idea. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Benjamin.

There may be snow on the roof, but there's still a little fire in the

huh?

Damn it!

Who are you cursing? This coffee.

The man is tough, no question.

Be careful. That's really hot.

Thank you.

Miss Sherwood, can you keep a secret?

That depends.

Good enough.

I think Sharovsky's having an affair.

Really?

Do you have any idea who Gertrude might be?

Gertrude?

The only Gertrude I can think of that Mr. Swarovski knows is Mrs. Ferg.

Oh, Mr.

Caruso, what a great day it is out there. It's got a cloud in the sky and

beautiful spring breeze. I know what you're trying to do, Bruno, and it's a

thing, but it's not going to work.

You know, I can help if you just told me what... If you just leave me alone!

I got a situation.

And I'm working on it.

Just don't get involved.

You know, I feel I need to help. I think... I'm telling you for your own

Don't get involved.

And don't forget to rotate the old milk carton, huh? Last time you forgot.

You're late.

Did you have any trouble? Oh, I just can't get used to this sneaking around.

It's the same for me.

Well, it has to be done, I guess.

You're not getting cold feet about this, are you? Are you kidding?

I'm raring to go.

We're closed.

Right. I didn't say that right. We're closed for the evening, fellas. That

means... Bruno.

Piece of cake.

Give me 48 hours and the place will fall like the price of silver.

But I can't get to it for two, maybe three weeks. Is that okay, Mr. D

You

know,

Mr. Caruso, you were right.

You had a nice place here.

Trust me, Bruno. They're not clowns. What did that guy mean? You had a nice

place. What did he get off? Come on, Bruno. Use your head, wouldn't you?

a bright kid. Figure it out.

He owns this place.

I thought you owned it. I only lease it, kid.

The lease is up at the end of the month.

Wait a minute. I still don't get it.

Why can't you just renew the lease on the property? Because there won't be a

building on the property.

He's tearing this place down and turning it into a parking lot.

He can't do that.

You saw the man you're gonna tell him that he can't do it.

I didn't think so

Tardy slip.

I'm not tardy.

At 10 .40?

Name, please.

Alicia Morgan.

Homeroom? I don't have a homeroom.

I'm not a student here.

Not yet, anyway.

Well, you're a little late for auditions.

Like about four months.

That's why I have to talk to Mr.

Sharofsky.

You have an appointment?

Well, no, but I called and I asked who I should see and they told me... I'm

really very sorry. It's just not allowed.

If you just knew how important this is to me... Miss Morgan, if this was just

to me, Dwight Mendenhall, private citizen, I'd probably look the other

But at Hall Monitor, I've been given a trust.

And I'd be letting a lot of people down if I let you onto school property.

Are you serious?

Are you kidding?

Now, if you'll please just about face out of here, we can avoid a scene.

Are you okay?

Oh, I'm fine.

These guys sound pretty scary. Scary?

Remember when you were a kid and you used to imagine something terrible lived

the closet?

Well, I met him last night. His name is Sal D 'Angelo and friends.

Sounds like mafia to me.

What do you mean mafia?

Well, they're not exactly the string section of the New York Philharmonic.

just because a guy's Italian, right away you'd think he's in the mafia.

Danny!

Danny! Danny, you want to calm down, please?

Relax, Holly. It's just Mediterranean blood.

I didn't say Italian.

I hate to interrupt, guys, but there's an Italian guy named Caruso, right, who

is not in the mafia and who is in trouble.

Well, if D 'Angelo has the leaf, then what are you going to do?

You mean what can we do? I work there. You guys practically live there. All

right, I'll rephrase the question. What can we do?

I'm afraid there's nothing to do.

You'll simply have to wait for the auditions next August.

He's going to be furious.

Who, is your dad?

He's not used to waiting.

Not such a long wait.

Couldn't I just sing something for you right here, now?

Absolutely not. But I could just sing any... No!

I'm going to be one of the judges at these auditions in August, and if you

like me to listen with an objective ear, then I suggest you leave, now.

There's nothing I can say?

You can say goodbye.

See you next time.

Bye.

Okay, hold it right there.

I thought I made myself perfectly clear.

You did.

What are you doing?

Don't cry.

Please.

I won't take you to the office.

Really.

Look, if you keep on crying, I'll start too, and then there goes my image.

Here, take this.

Thank you.

Hello.

Thanks.

Do you know Mr. Swarovski?

Could you maybe put in a good word for me?

I know I'm, but... Well, I'm a sousaphone player.

Historically, sousaphone players haven't had a whole lot of influence.

I do know somebody he listens to, though.

Who? This guy named Bruno who used to be a student. He's still like this.

How can I meet this Bruno?

Are you busy tonight?

Is that your friend, Elisa?

That's right.

She wants to stay?

That's what I've been telling you.

All right, tell her she's on now.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, Ruth was proud to present

now destined for greatness.

Miss Alicia Morgan.

Morgan.

Oh, hi, Alicia Morgan. Thank you for helping me. Thank you for helping me.

do you have?

Tosca. Um, can you play that?

Watch me work.

Oh, I'd like to sing an aria from the opera Tosca.

Does anybody know the story?

Tosca's lover, Mario, has just been captured by the evil Scarpia, and in

song, Tosca wonders what she could possibly have done wrong to deserve such

terrible fate.

Hey, Dwight, what's going on?

She's going to sing.

You're going to be glad she did.

Thank you.

What's all that about?

I don't know, but she's a friend of the muscle band, and I figured it would be a

good idea to let her sing. Couldn't hurt.

So I think you figured right.

Good morning, Mrs. Berg.

Morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mrs. Berg.

Either you're having an asthma attack or you're trying to get my attention. Or

maybe both.

Yes, Mrs. Berg, what is it?

It's my husband.

Something happened to him?

No, why?

Mrs. Berg, I really am trying to keep up with you, but... He jumped.

Jealous of what? Of you.

But that's ridiculous. How could he possibly be jealous of me?

He got suspicious about the late hours I was keeping, and he came to the school

last night to check on me.

But what could he have seen that... He saw us leaving the school together.

He thinks we're carrying on.

Well, there's only one thing to do.

I will call him and explain everything.

No, no, no, no. Don't do that.

Now you've lost me again.

Still.

Mr. Sharofsky, three years ago, when my husband retired from the rapid transit,

he was, well, downright difficult.

Lately, he has been an absolute dream.

He hasn't paid this much attention to me since our second honeymoon.

If you mess this up for me, I will never say another civil word to you as long

as I live.

He doesn't belong to the National Rifle Association, does he? Oh, he's not a

joiner. Well, then, Gertrude, my dear, it seems that ours is an affair that

continue.

Your table's ready.

I promised my folks I wouldn't accept rides from strange people.

Not that you're strange.

It's either the back seat or the trunk.

I recommend the back seat.

Well, if you recommend it, it's okay with me.

Make yourself comfortable, Mr. Martelli.

It's nice of you to come and see.

I come and see.

Did you like Poplar?

You know, what's that you don't know?

Well, regretfully, we must get down to business.

Alicia Morgan.

What about her? She was good.

Absolutely. She's got an incredible voice.

And your favor to me will be very difficult.

What favor?

Your favor to me will be to persuade your old teacher, Mr.

Sharofsky, to allow Alicia to audition for him tomorrow.

Okay, okay. I'll make a deal with you.

You are going to make me a deal.

I get Mr. Sharofsky to audition Alicia.

And in return, you let Caruso keep his coffee house.

That is a very valuable piece of real estate.

More valuable than Alicia's career?

You will not be a waiter for long, my boy.

Well, either I'm about to have my kneecapped permaplact or we have a deal.

We have a deal.

Mr. Martelli, it is out of the question.

You don't mean that.

The auditions are in August. This is not August. It's really quite simple.

Just listen to me.

Luna, what has gotten into you?

Do you have a special interest in this girl?

No. I mean, yes, but not the way you're thinking.

Nothing anyway.

Yes, you were. You're right. No, you're wrong.

Mr. Sharofsky, if I don't set up this audition, this D 'Angelo guy, well,

one, he's going to close down Caruso's, right?

Wait, number two, if I don't starve first, he's going to do grave bodily

to yours truly.

Martelli, calm down.

Did you ever see Paul Newman in The Hustler? Remember what they did to his

hands? I said calm down.

Now, this D 'Angelo, who has he maimed up until now?

Well, no close personal friends of mine.

He's not a known murderer.

They don't advertise.

Has he threatened you in any way?

He opened the trunk of his car.

He's got bodyguards.

So does the Pope.

Can you tell me anything at all that supports your notion that this D 'Angelo

a gangster?

Well, maybe not in a court of law, but that's not what I'm... Then my answer

must remain no. It's simply not fair to the other students.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I hear my egg salad on rye.

See you.

Very true.

Herman.

I've got something for you.

Oh, Herman, you're such a savior.

You're an absolute throwback.

Oh, Herman.

Life is too short, I always say, not to do what you want to do when you want to

do it. Oh, but a picnic.

What a mad, wild idea.

Chopped liver with onions on pumpernickel. I'm overwhelmed.

And after I eat those onions, everybody else will be too.

Believe me, this is only the beginning.

Today, chopped liver.

Tomorrow... Oh,

Mr. Shirovsky, do come in.

I want to introduce you to my husband.

This is Mr.

Benjamin Sharofsky, our illustrious music teacher.

How do you do, Mr. Berg?

I think it's only fair to tell you that I'm really quite an admirer of your

wife.

Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sharofsky.

I've heard so much about you.

How flattering.

You're not telling tales out of school, are you? My lips are sealed.

Won't you join us?

Oh, no, I won't. Oh!

We insist, don't we, Herman? Tell Mr.

Swarovski we'd love to have him.

We'd love to have you, Mr. Swarovski.

What's mine is yours.

There's plenty to go around.

Well, if you're putting it that way... I assume you'll help yourself to whatever

you like.

That's second nature to me.

Oh, my.

Isn't this lovely?

When did this guy say they were supposed to come?

Eight o 'clock.

Look, the place is packed.

He can't do anything, do you hear? There's too many witnesses.

This guy has a way of emptying a room.

Is that them?

That was not the brightest question I ever asked in my life.

Would you rather sit by the bar?

Obviously not.

You have good news for me, Mr. Martelli?

Mr. Angelo, I tried.

I really tried.

Excuse.

My English sometimes is not good.

I tried.

But this I don't understand.

I did it.

I did not do it.

Indeed, I understand, but I tried.

Okay. I did everything I could to change Swarovski's mind and he wouldn't budge.

Bruno, Bruno, this is not good.

We had a deal.

I know.

What am I going to do?

I was hoping you'd say something like, don't worry about it, Bruno, no problem.

Oh, I'm afraid we have a problem.

We have a very serious problem.

Wouldn't you agree?

I'm afraid so.

Maybe, uh...

Maybe I should go see Mr. Swarovski myself.

Hi.

I guess I owe you an apology.

Really? The way I figure it, I'm the one who owes you the apology.

That's... Why, I came here today to thank you for everything you've done.

I guess you could tell how much this place means to me.

To a lot of people.

Yes, I could see that.

And so could Sal.

Mr. D 'Angelo.

He said he'd love to keep the place open, but that you and he made a deal.

He said he liked you a lot.

And he didn't want to set a bad example by changing the terms.

Didn't want you to lose respect for him.

is very important to Sal.

Anyway, thanks for everything.

I know Sal can be a little difficult.

Alyssa?

This is probably none of my business, but you and Sal... Yes?

I don't consider myself old -fashioned, and I think any relationship that works

is a good one, but...

Are you Sal's... Am I Sal's girl?

No.

Everybody thinks it's like that, but it's not.

Sal was my father's best friend.

And when Daddy died and Mom had to go to work, Sal sort of took me under his

wing. He's really been very kind.

And that's all he's been.

I'm just curious.

I understand.

Actually, I don't understand.

But I've gotten used to people misunderstanding the relationship, so...

gotten used to it. I guess that's what I mean.

Don't be a stranger, okay?

I mean, even if this thing at the school didn't work out, it's no reason to...

Being here, with all the kids from the school...

No, that's too frustrating.

Being able to say the words without singing the song.

It's bigger than me, bigger than you.

It's we.

It's better than one, stronger than two.

It's we.

When you were only you and I was merely me,

we never dreamed a beautiful thing like we could be.

We are braver somehow and warmer.

Because now we are us.

That fabulous plus that adds up to you and me.

Not you alone.

Not I alone.

But two in love whose love has grown into that special something known

as we.

Not you.

I'd like to know what's going on here.

Well, I was singing a song.

Yeah, I know that.

I mean, what's really going on?

Well, I have to admit to you,

Your wife and I are involved in a labor of love. Oh.

A husband knows those things. Herman, I don't know what you're thinking, but...

Oh, hell's bells, you don't know what I'm thinking.

Herman, I'm going to give you the straight poop on what's been going on

I've been helping Mr.

Sharofsky while he writes his autobiography. Just organizing his

notes and things.

That's all.

It's bigger than me. It's bigger than you.

It's me.

It's better than one, stronger than two.

It's we.

When you were only you and I was merely me,

we never dreamed a beautiful thing like we could be.

Sharofsky. Uh, I'll need to see a hall path.

It's in my pocket.

Good enough.

Into the hall.

Have a nice day.

You must be from the Mayor's Commission on the Arts. I thought you weren't

coming until next week.

Not exactly. My name is Salvatore D 'Angelo.

I came to speak to you about Alicia Morgan.

She was here to see you the other day.

Mr. D 'Angelo, I explained to Miss Morgan that we do not have auditions

next August.

She'll be more than happy to hear it then.

I hoped we could discuss this like two reasonable men.

You will find I can be just as stubborn as you are, maybe even more.

Are you trying to intimidate me, Mr. D 'Angelo?

If you are, I have advice for you.

Don't waste your time.

I'll...

You're

not from this country, am I right?

You left because you had to, am I right?

Adding a thousand.

Well, I left because I wanted to.

I came because I wanted to build something big.

Permanent. I've got some unfinished business.

Miss Morgan, you know, one of the things that a man forgets when he is building

big and permanent things is that he's neither big nor permanent.

See, waiting until August could be a problem for me, I'm afraid.

Listening to this tape, I believe, is not too much for one

immigrant, though for another.

Mr. D 'Angelo, I have a deal for you.

Another deal.

I will listen to Alicia's voice.

Go on.

If you give me your word that if I decide that she does not belong in the

of the Arts, you will not argue with me.

Not one word.

And if you think she is as wonderful as I do? She can unroll as soon as there's

a desk available.

We have a deal.

Why?

You found her hysterical on the phone. What happened?

She's in.

How?

Ask him.

I listened to an interior tape recording.

And I heard a superior voice.

Miss Morgan, you have an exceptional instrument.

And for such an instrument, even I will make an exception.

Welcome to the School of the Arts.

I don't know what to say.

Why don't you say that you'll come along with us?

Where to?

Ms. Grant's dress rehearsal.

Since you're going to be hanging out with us, you may as well find out what

you're getting yourself into.

I'd love to.

Louie, I think this is the beginning of terrific friendship.

Tell her I said goodbye.