Original subtitles

Yes.

Come on.

Yeah.

Nice day today, isn't it? - Yeah, it's all right.

No, no.

I really think it's nice.

All right.

- Some more cake? - No, thanks.

Thank you.

Strange, the kids of today, huh?

- Which kids? - Well, your kids.

Oh. Yes.

All right now, talk.

You want something.

You know, actually -

Do you want to do it? - Me? Sorry, they're your parents.

My parents?

Oh, yes, that's right. Of course.

Now then.

Here it is.

We...

I mean...

The plant is moving, and so we...

So we went and bought a map of the city.

Marion and I did.

And, well, we drew some lines on it.

Lines.

From the newspaper building to Westhoven.

Just a straight line.

And guess what's right in the middle - between the publisher's and Westhoven.

Huh? Just guess.

Now hold on. I don't get any of this. What am I supposed to guess?

What's right in between her workplace and Westhoven.

Why should I?

Why?

Well, you know, just for the fun of it.

Now, children, in all seriousness.

You want something from me. - Of course we do.

We want this apartment. - What?

Because it's right in between the newspaper and Westhoven,

and that's convenient for us.

Now tell me, how long have I been living here?

Hold on.

Twenty - Twenty-seven years?

That's right.

Twenty-seven years.

And why do you think that is?

Well? Why?

Because I like it here. That's why.

Twenty-seven years!

And the little brat just blurts out, “I want your apartment.”

I've lived here nearly my entire life.

Nearly my entire life.

Do you know what that means? Do you understand that at all?

Of course we do, Dad.

But now that the kids and Grandma are gone,

we thought the apartment might be too big for you.

It really is a bit big, Wolf. We've discussed it a few times.

Don't you remember?

What did I say?

You said you wanted to stay because Grandmas coming back.

She's definitely not coming back, Dad.

- And how can you know that? How? - Because I know Grandma.

And me? I've known her longer than you. Much longer.

I know her better. And now that she has Gregor...

Don't make me laugh. Gregor is a joke.

Grandma isn't coming back, Wolf.

Ah! You're in on it with them. I see.

This is all a done deal.

Well, in that case... - You know that's not true, Dad.

Do you want to stick us in a homeless shelter?

As if you haven't given that a thought yet.

If I know you, it's already planned out.

We thought you could move into our apartment. Simple as that.

It's a really nice place.

The location is just so terribly inconvenient for Jochen.

We could have a look at it, Wolf. It won't cost us anything.

Nothing at all. Honest.

Thanks.

- He drank the whole bottle. Look. - God, he must have alcohol poisoning.

- He's lovesick. - Lovesick?

Yes, because of Monika.

- Who is this guy she's with anyway? - Am I my daughter's keeper?

- Thank you, Dad. - What for?

For agreeing to trade apartments with us.

Good-bye.

- Who's that? - No one worth mentioning.

- Seriously? - Honest.

Is he drunk?

Completely sloshed.

Lovesick. - Oh.

- Leave me alone with her. - Okay, if you say so.

Bye. - Take care.

- So who is that guy? - Why?

- Because I'm your brother. - That's news to me.

- Seriously. - Okay, it's none of your business.

Well, because...

Okay, what business is it of mine? Bye.

Well? What do you think?

- About what? - About trading apartments.

Oh, it's simply too big for us, this apartment.

I really don't get your problem.

Why do you always have to cling to everything? Seriously.

- Well? - Well, what?

- Well, well. - Okay, boom.

- Boom what? - Boom, boom. Simple as that.

The number of the pending order is Z-27/33521.

The total volume - Did you get that? - Yes.

The total volume of work hours has been estimated at 2,600.

I'll also give you a list with estimates for material use, machine run times,

outsourced services, and so on.

Everything has been calculated and signed off on by Mr. Gross.

Completion of the order and planning of the production steps are in your hands.

- In our group's hands? - Or in your group's.

As you wish.

As per work regulations, obviously.

Obviously.

Should you finish the job in fewer hours than estimated,

management has agreed to pay out half of the hours saved as a bonus payment.

- To the group? - To the group. Certainly.

- Thanks, in any case. - No need to thank me, and...

I wish you lots of luck.

After all...

All right. Good-bye.

To be honest with you, I still think this is all a mad experiment.

If it were, do you think it would have been approved? No way.

It has been calculated very exactly.

If they are faster, we've achieved the company aim.

Or do you have a different opinion?

About the company's aim. - Of course not.

But if they're slower - - It'll cost us a few thousand marks max.

You know that yourself. And then you'd have your peace.

That is what you want, isn't it?

Then the group would be sapped of its spirit.

They would feel this small.

I promise you that.

I myself would think that a shame.

Imagine if we manage it 100 hours faster. That'd be -

- Think about how we can do it differently. - Still, money can be a decisive stimulus.

And a slap to the back of the head enhances brainpower.

In any case, I don't know just how we should organize the work.

I'm drawing a total blank again. - It'll come to us.

Sometimes I think all we're good for is being told what we should do.

You're nuts. You have to strain your brain.

It's obvious we would hit a wall at the beginning. How should we know?

We've never learned to organize our work. - Must use heads. Good.

Of course they won't manage it.

How can they?

Having to change overnight how they've done things for years?

But that doesn't change the fact that the idea itself is a good one.

Who knows? Maybe things are better the way they were.

Now they have to work more.

They have to think, on top of everything else.

But that's just it, silly. Boy, you sure are slow on the uptake.

They want to think.

Listen, knowing what you're doing

is better than not knowing and just doing something.

You think?

Well.

Perhaps.

For my Rolf, that's definitely true, because he's intelligent.

- And the others are stupid, or what? - No,no.

But, you know, my Rolf, he says such clever things.

He's just so lovely. But you can't understand that.

- Of course not. - That's why I can't explain it to you.

But, you know, I have a feeling that my Rolf is destined for greater things.

Yes, state minister-president at the least.

That'd be lovely. My Rolf should become a very important man,

a man everyone looks up to and reveres.

Now let me tell you something.

Rolf won't be any greater than anyone else, because he already is someone.

He has a job, he's nice, you like him.

Why do you have to make him into something great?

Be happy with what you have.

You just don't understand me.

I do understand you.

Everyone who's in love has that -

the desire to see the one they love attain greatness.

But, you know, in principle I think -

In principle, we can be happy that the person we love isn't someone great...

that he isn't all high and mighty...

because then he's much closer to you.

Then you're something great together because you love each other, and...

Tell me.

Do you want to move in with us?

What was that?

We'll probably get Jochen's parents' place.

And since it's too big for the two of us, we thought we could give it a try.

And if you're into it, then -

Pardon me, but I've been waiting for half an hour now.

For 27 minutes, to be exact.

Your discussion was very interesting indeed, but I really have to go.

Monika needs money.

- That's only human. - But she needs lots of money.

3,000 marks.

That's superhuman. Oh, my.

What exactly do you need the money for?

Won”; “n” -

Listen, my love, if I'm to lend you 3,000 marks,

then I at least have to know what for.

Right, Gregor?

- Yes, you need to know that. Oh, yes. - You see, he agrees.

Well I - I cut out an advertisement from the newspaper.

It was about entering a business venture, a highly profitable one, you see.

And so I wrote to them.

Then I got a letter back and met the man, and now I need another 3,000 marks.

I had 4,000 marks myself.

And my father lent me 3,000 marks.

And now I need another 3,000, because, well...

I need 10,000 to join in the venture.

Right.

And what kind of a business venture is it?

Just with automated machines and stuff.

And this man, could we meet him?

Yeah, sure. Why not?

Then here's my proposal.

We meet the man, and I get an idea of the whole affair myself.

Gregor has a bit of money saved up that he'll lend you then.

You'll lend it to her, won't you, Gregor?

You can count on me. He'll lend it to you.

Thanks, Grandma.

Thanks, Gregor.

Come on, Sylvie.

- Bye, Manni. - Bye.

Hey.

- Yeah? - Is this your second spring, or what?

Third, my darling. My third spring.

So, are you going to go get the screw, or not?

He's not getting you the screw, Rudiger.

Not now, not tomorrow, and not the day after tomorrow either.

Why not, if I may ask?

Because Giuseppe isn't here to do your dirty work anymore.

Because now Giuseppe has his task

and you have yours.

And because he is now just as important as you and me.

All I can do is laugh at that.

Just as important as me? That filthy little Italian swine?

You idiots!

Nothing but shit for brains, the both of you.

Don't you get it? Things are totally different now.

We're behind on the order. Behind, got it?

Partly because of your constant squabbling.

What a joke. Because of us.

It's no joke, Rudiger. On the contrary.

The old system could take such spats because it was all elaborately organized.

But our system isn't as precisely organized as that.

It's very sensitive and human, if you understand what I mean.

But it can't take as much as the other system.

And that's why it's better.

But if you're too stupid to get that,

if things go on like this,

we'll be stuck with the old system again.

Very quickly, quicker than you can bat an eye.

You see, with these 10,000 marks,

you just buy a share in the car wash business venture.

You don't buy it alone.

What that does is lessen the risk.

Though I must add that there is no risk involved at all.

Look.

As this shows, you'll get your money back in two and a third years.

And then, for seven and two thirds years,

you'll profit from an investment you've long since recouped.

We calculated that if just every taxi comes to the car wash once every week -

and I can assure you they'll come more than that -

then, from the 10,000 marks you invested and have long since recouped,

believe it or not, you'll earn a whopping 34,000 marks.

That is a 3,000 percent return on investment.

No better or more secure investment exists in all of West Germany.

- You must be beating off the investors. - We are, we are.

I can confirm that. - No wonder.

Because - How much? A 3,000 percent return on investment.

Yes, our shares are going like hotcakes.

Deutsche Bank must have most of them in its - let me think - portefeuille.

In...

Yes.

As I said, there's great interest everywhere we go.

And Commerzbank.

And Dresdner Bank.

Yeah.

I must tell you,

we have as yet held off from approaching the big banks

to promote the accumulation of wealth among disadvantaged classes.

That is to say, the idea of the social market economy -

Tell me.

Do you yourself believe what you're saying?

Grandma.

What is it? I'm allowed to ask, right? It's interesting.

Now then, do you yourself believe that?

Of course I do.

I've purchased shares myself.

Two, in fact. Why are you asking that anyway?

Yes, because I am pretty sure that you don't believe it yourself.

If you are, let's just say, even the slightest bit intelligent.

Grandma, please.

And why shouldn't I believe it myself?

You really must have proof to make such accusations.

Now, think about it yourself.

If this business deal is really as big you say,

do you really think someone would let us little people in on such a big gimmick.

You don't believe that.

That would really be a bit stupid of the folks with money.

They could get in on it themselves, yet don't? Why?

Perhaps because they're so noble-minded?

No, no, my good fellow.

This is all a scam. That's right, a huge scam.

That's obvious.

Now, you'll know this phrase in your game.

A screw job is what it is, a royal screw job.

You said you were bringing your grandma along.

Your grandma, you said.

This woman here is not a grandma, she's a -

She's not a grandma.

A grandma.

Why shouldn't I be a grandma?

Because I'm not dotty?

It would've been so nice.

Financial security for Sylvie, for her to study perhaps.

Or something like that.

Oh, Grandma.

That's right, go ahead and cry.

It doesn't matter.

Better for you to cry earlier rather than later,

when all of my dear Gregor's money is out the window.

Thursday, June 7, 16:22 hours. I hereby report completion of the order.

It seems Final Inspection had no issues either.

- How much did we save? -187 hours and 38 minutes.

- That makes? - Let them calculate that.

That's why we have a deal. - Yes, we've done our part.

- The game's about to start. - Let's hurry.

I'll go report.

At ease!

I just wanted to report.

The order has been completed.

In 187 hours and 38 minutes less than the time allotted.

Thank you, Foreman.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

Yes, get Dr. Bertram, please.

Hello? Yes.

They're finished.

In 187 hours less time.

187 hours and 38 minutes, to be exact.

You see how mistaken one can be.

I'm happy for the boys...

and for the company.

Good-bye.

Now listen to me, please.

Everyone involved gets the same cut.

- What? Including the cleaning ladies? - Of course. Or did you clean?

Yes, but they get paid anyway.

Well, so do you.

- I disagree. - Nonsense.

Then the janitor, office workers, drivers, Sticking itself would get a cut.

- It does. It gets half. - That's right.

What?

You could do that if it were for the whole plant. Later maybe.

We're the only ones who did extra work, so the money's just for us.

Okay, I totally agree. Who votes to keep the money in our group?

Who votes against that?

Very good. And you? - Me?

I abstain. I really have no idea.

- But we already have at least - - What's the point? You won the vote.

- Keep going, it's more useful. - Okay.

How is the money being divvied up? According to what scale?

- What do you mean? - It's simple.

Let's say you're in Wage Bracket 7 and Rolf is in Bracket 5.

Do you get more than Rolf, or what?

- Why should I? - The scale isn't without reason.

Of course it's not without reason. But it is pretty random.

So the migrant worker, Giuseppe Macaroni,

gets the same as Franz Miltenberger, the foreman?

- Yes, that's just what it means. - That's nonsense.

He worked, didn't he?

- Sure, but he gets paid for that. - And you do too.

But I get paid more. It's complete idiocy.

My work is obviously worth more than - - No. It isn't.

If Giuseppe hadn't done his work, then you'd have to help do it.

And if you didn't do that, someone did it for you.

Why me? The company.

No,you. Because we split up the work ourselves.

Then we should've said at the start

that we - our group - would do without Giuseppe.

We didn't do that, so he earned his share - an equal share.

But he only did the work he'd have done anyway.

But he did it in our division.

And what goes on in our division, how we go about our work,

we decided that ourselves this time.

We want to do that. We're still doing it.

I don't get it. Honest.

I mean, sure he did his work, but we all did that.

Everyone should get a share, but in proportion to their bracket.

- That's immoral. - It's not in any way a matter of morals.

It's something totally different.

It's like this.

Wage bracket classification is one thing.

We have no control over that because management determines it.

And, anyway, the wage level in general

is based on the situation on the job market,

what the unions negotiate and who knows what else.

But the last ten weeks were different, because we were in control of everything.

We all put in the same effort, so we should all get the same money.

I put in only modest effort.

Honestly, I'm tired and want to go home. Who's for everyone getting an equal share?

Okay, that's the majority.

You were against it just now. Are you nuts?

- I understood. - You're so intelligent.

Calculate how much each of us would get if it stays as agreed.

Well, I still don't understand.

Some are slower, some are faster. Not all people are created equal.

Anyone can make wisecracks.

I just thought of something.

I've been thinking a lot the whole time.

Management said 2,600 hours, right?

We were faster, right?

But management is happy with 2,600 hours.

Why does management get half if we are faster?

- Doing this to me. - It'll do you good.

You sassy so-and-so.

- Lots to go? - Just dishes.

Thank God. Come on, let him past.

Yes, there.

- So? Having fun? - It could be heavier.

Boy,oh,boy.

Do you understand why men always have to complain?

Sure, they have a built-in mechanism.

- You have no idea how much you own. - No.

That's how I felt when I moved out.

Loads of stuff that could be trashed.

Maybe we should have a clearance sale.

- Long time no see. - I can do without.

Stay down there. You won't get past.

- Well, make space. - Be sensible.

I paid them to get this - - Move to the side.

Quiet. Make some space here.

Some people have absolutely no sense.

Right, let's go. Slowly.

- Can you manage? - Careful. Those are Grandma's.

She'll go nuts if they get broken. - I've secured them.

Don't break them.

Hey, be careful with that thing.

- He looks very peaceful. - He's very calm and collected.

- Help! - What?

- Oh, you girls are mean. - You're lazy.

I'm not lazy. I'm tired.

Men always have to talk back.

- Right, we're done. - So are the others.

Did you forget anything? - A move like this could kill a man.

- We don't do it every day. - Is that everything?

- Let's check. - Yes, let's go check.

- I'll get rid of this. - Let's check the bedroom. Right.

- It's empty in here. - Are we done, then?

- Yes. Take care. - Take care.

- Bye. - Thanks.Bye.

- Bye, everyone. - Bye.

Well.

So where do we start?

Know what came to me while I was lugging this stuff?

No.

But it can't be anything sensible.

Oh, yes, it can. I realized that you're the ones who got cheated.

How?

It's very simple. Look.

You were faster than the plant management requirements,

but you only get half of the money that was saved.

That's what Giuseppe said.

But they get that because they're running a business risk.

But the fact is that the business is making enough money already.

The company is happy if you work at the normal pace.

Why does it need to get something extra, to get even more, if it's happy as is,

just because you worked faster?

Well, that has to do with the risk.

I mean, we could have been slower too.

Sure.

But the company earns off you anyway.

How's that?

Think about it. In order to build a new factory, for example.

It takes money to do that.

Or am I wrong?

Of course the company earns money. What about it?

Okay, then.

How did it purchase the new plant? - Well, with money.

- With what money? -lts own money.

Okay.

But you can't go buy a new factory.

The company just has more.

And where from?

What do you mean “where from”?

Where from?

Where from?

Well...

That's a stupid question.

From selling the stuff. That's where it gets it.

But where does it get the stuff it sells? From you, because you made it.

Of course we made it, but -

I get paid for my work, after all.

But you can't buy a new factory.

You're right about that.

Why can the company buy a new factory and we can't?

Well, because it owns everything.

Yeah. That's what I wanted to hear. That's what I mean.

I don't have a problem with the company owning it.

I can't change that anyway.

And a new factory might be a necessity,

but the fact that the company buys it with the money that you've earned

and will own it and can do with it what it wishes

and you'll get nothing from it and that it will go on that way,

that's what's wrong.

It's no different at your newspaper.

I'm not saying it is.

I'm just saying that I've realized something.

I've realized that, when you work...

that you only work partially for yourself.

I've realized that.

No more, no less.

She didn't even say good-bye.

She just left.

And I...

I wanted to tell her I want to marry her and I love her.

You should have given it a try.

- Just given it a try. - Yes, yes.

You have no idea how cold she was to me,

like I was a stranger.

Even though I've never cared for anyone but her.

Never.

I'm sure she knows that.

She knows that very well.

- Let's drink some schnapps. - Yes, that -

For in schnapps there is truth,

and truth is the key to insight.

- And insight will lead to an idea. - Bravo.

There is no idea to be had. It's all over.

Now...

First off, nothing is ever totally and finally over.

Look at Gregor and me. We thought it was all over too.

But, in fact,

it had only just begun.

And, secondly - I can't think of what I wanted to say.

Oh, yes. And, secondly, I always have an idea.

Right.

- Here. - Thanks.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

- I'll go. - Who could that be?

It's bound to be someone for you, darling.

- You see, he's a bit envious. - Envious?

Yes.

And jealous.

Because everyone likes me so much.

I mean, they like him, too, but everyone calls me “Grandma”

and they just call him “Gregor.”

And that upsets him.

Oh, my. Monika.

- Isn't Grandma here? - No. She has a visitor.

Who?

She's always got - Just go in here.

She always has lots of visitors. Go in here.

There.

Are you troubled? - Troubled?

I have problems. That's all. - What kind of problems?

With Manfred.

He didn't even say hello to me. He didn't even look at me once.

As if I meant nothing to him.

And today I wanted to tell him that I love him.

But he's so pig-headed. You can't even imagine it.

- Do you want a schnapps? - Yes, get me a schnapps.

Me?

Pardon me, Manfred.

Right.

Gregor and I...

we have something to discuss.

And it is something of an intimate nature.

But there is a lady in the other room...

and she would like to have a schnapps.

Perhaps you could be so kind as to take her this?

She is a very nice lady.

And maybe you could chat with her a bit.

You'll think of something.

What -

What are you doing here? - She's my grandma, not yours.

I don't want to steal her from you.

I... - Yes?

- I love you. - Well, in that case,

I'll have to move again, right?

They're kissing now.

You could be right.

You are always right.

Aren't I though?

IRMGARD AND ROLF

EIGHT HOURS DON'T MAKE A DAY

A FAMILY SERIES FROM WDR

“Eight Hours Don't Make a Day” was shot in 1:1.37 format for WDR TV

between April and August 1972.

Digital restoration and color timing of the film

was made by scanning the preserved 16-mm original reversal film in 2k resolution

and digitizing the 16-mm original-mix audio tapes.