Original subtitles

And now, the weather summary.

Today's weather: cloudy with showers, but also luckily, patches of blue sky.

Mrs. Crommens, please ring extension 221.

PARALLAX FILMS PRESENT

A GOOD DAY'S WORK

Mrs. Vanderschurre, please ring extension 221.

Still no sugar.

It's becoming a real problem.

Yes.

I need three copies and they're not even signed.

You'll have to go to the office, I'm accepting no more of that.

So you'll follow the order up for me'? That'll be fine.

Mr. Stierce at the office.

Mr. Postiaux at the Information Desk.

How are you? - Fine, thank you.

Did you manage to fix your day off?

Yes. - Fine, Mr. Janssens?

Mr. Vermeulen.

Tell me, do you know at what time the delegation is supposed to be here?

Probably at the end of the day. I'm waiting for confirmation.

What's that?

Get that cleaned up now. - It's syrup.

Look at the mess. Well, I'm counting on you.

Cleaning needed at the Wine Department.

'Morning.

Shaped up? - Mmmm!

No army, then?

I didn't go to the army.

Oh, I thought you were off for your three days.

No, no, no. Next week.

Oh.

'Morning, how are you? - Hi!

When do you finish today?

Not before tonight.

Hi! Morning.

Françoise not working this morning?

At two o'clock.

Some people are lucky.

Her boyfriend drops her in at morning and picks her up at night.

Stop moaning and find a boyfriend with a car.

Aren't Françoise and Gerald going around together now?

Who? - Well, Gerald. He works here.

Don't you know him? - No, I don't.

How long's it been going on, then?

I don't know, but anyway it looks very serious.

Attention, please. 5 minutes till opening. 9 o'clock cashiers at their places please.

Dairy attendant for extension 226.

Dear customers, It's 9 o'clock and your store is open.

We are happy to welcome you. Please have a nice day.

Dear Customers, our delicious pizza at the Delicatessen

for 89 francs instead of 119 francs. Why not take advantage of it?

Dear Customers, take advantage of the 60 francs discount

on 1 kilo of fresh cod in our fish stand.

Our delicious pizza, dear Customers are now sold in our Delicatessen

at 89 francs instead of 119. Do take advantage of it.

Just a minute. You mustn't do that.

Do it this way.

Everyday stuff people need, like salt, they will bend over for it.

But things like caviar and salmon have to be seen.

So, they come along, and bang, right into it.

No problem. So don't hide it, man.

You know, people aren't going to search for things. They're lazy, aren't they?

Just like you. So go on, fix that up for me and we'll look into it later on.

Excuse me sir, please could you tell me where the sardines are?

Just in front of you.

How stupid of me!

Don't see things, even with my nose right on it.

It's often like that, isn't it? Thank you.

That looks tempting, ever tasted it?

No. Never.

Dear Customers, take advantage of our 30 francs discount

on purchase of one of our delicious pizza at the Delicatessen Stand.

Any plans for tonight?

Nothing special.

Ever seen what goes on back there with the empties?

No.

Feel like a... good meal?

When? Tonight? - Yes.

But I haven't any money.

It's a question of organization.

How? - I'll show you.

That looks good.

Calculate.

How much? - 36,50 Bf.

Let's take some bread, that one.

Small, cut and square? Yes.

One that's well done.

A small white one? - Yes.

At the back there,

the crust? - No.

On the right?

Maybe the other one.

Isn't there too much fat on that one?

Shouldn't we take a larger one?

Mmmm, they both look good.

Our delicious pizza, dear Customers at 89 francs instead of 119.

Take advantage of these prices.

How are things?

How are you? - Fine and you?

Working here now? - Yes.

You're lucky, because I'm still on dole.

Still on dole? - Yes.

Time for coffee at lunch break?

Oh yes, yes.

Lets see each other at the cafeteria through lunch break.

Fine. See you.

Work well!

Would the empties' attendant please contact the Information Desk?

A call for Mrs. Stroeckens at the Information Desk.

Could you show me the Ceylon tea, please?

There, Sir.

It's not the real thing.

It's written on it.

It's not pure.

But you can see it on the pack.

I'm sorry, this one has bergamot.

Has what?

Bergamot.

But look...

C-E-Y-L-O-N. Ceylon.

The origin's fine. It's just not pure.

Do you find it pure?

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about tea.

Either way, that's the only one.

OK, but ifs not pure.

There, you see. - You must both be blind.

There's no other tea here, anyway. So if you don't like it.

You started it. I saw you. - What do I do in that sort of situation?

OK. Take your break now.

You contradict each other.

The customer feels unsure of himself. That's bad.

Dear Customer. Take advantage of our bargain prices for our pizza.

A 30 franc discount ticket on purchase of 1 pizza.

Mrs. Wouters. 1/22 at the store entrance.

Mr. Ducar, please ring 222.

A call for Mrs. Van Houte, extension 241.

One of Mrs. Chantry's attendants for the Information Desk, please.

What about the sugar? Shall we put it in?

Sorry, Madam, I was there first.

Not at all. I was. I'm sorry.

No, no Madam. There, see what happens!

No sugar left. All gone already.

What did you expect? And the strike's only starting.

The Government's planning something.

Really? Where's the end to it?

Well, ifs the same for everyone.

Sorry, no more sugar?

Sorry Ladies, there is no more. You know that as well as I do.

I thought I saw some in stock.

Look Sir, if you can't see it here, it means we don't have any more.

We should have more this afternoon.

Please come back tomorrow.

ONE PACKAGE PER FAMILY.

Hey Gerald.

Yes? - Where's tonight's party?

At my place. It's easier.

You coming too, Bernard? - Yes.

I'll put these on quick sale because the dates up.

There's a lot left. - Yes, you're right.

Doesn't go fast. - It's difficult to sell.

We'll see.

When you've finished playing with your little tins,

I've got an amusing job for you: the salmon labels have to be changed.

She's back at school.

The problem is that she has to be up at six to be there at seven thirty.

So you see. - That's early.

Yes, that's probably why she got sick, too tired,

not enough sleep together with being pushed around a bit.

I get home late from the shop and feel tired too, you see.

I'm alone with her and there's work enough.

My parents don't want to be bothered with that.

So things aren't always easy.

I see.

Look, there's Gerald.

Françoise's new boyfriend? - Yes, that's him.

Yesterday, we went for a walk in the woods, with my boyfriend and my little girl

and he bought here a bicycle.

Then, there was a down-going slope and she couldn't stop.

He was running after her, with the dog.

It was really funny.

He really is very nice with her.

He looks after her well.

Dear Customers, please take advantage of our bargain pizza at the Delicatessen.

89 francs instead of 119.

Oh.

Did I make you jump, Madam?

Oh Father.

Oh, you know, between you and me. I'm not really...

...well, anyway.

But if you want to try one of these delicious cheeses?

Please do, they're bargain prices.

Thank you.

Delicious!

Aren't they?

...and have imposed a strict management organization

while real progress can be obtained thanks to increased profit margins

and the search for multiple sources of supply, improved management techniques.

We can go to the dentist's...

...1/2 lb butter... What's that?

Ah. We can hope for a 10 raise on our turnover.

With that, the Company could expand the Food Department.

I'm sorry.

What's wrong? What's happening?

Scrawling on the walls. - What?

DOWN WITH SUPERMARKETS

Empty! And stolen from us, of course.

The delegation mustn't see this.

How did we clean it up, last year?

I think we used abrasives.

It'll show.

Not if we paint it.

Remember the bomb scare last year?

Do you think it's linked? - Of course.

The only thing to do is to get the police. That's all I can suggest. Go on.

Our delicious pizza dear Customers are now being sold at the Delicatessen.

There was a bomb attack in the Brussels area last night round about 4.30 am.

No victims but a lot of damage.

The origin was probably a bomb letter hidden in the store itself.

Responsibility isn't claimed, but yesterday, an anonymous phone call with a

strong foreign accent warned the police about it beforehand. The police is on alert.

Thank you for your cooperation, Gentlemen.

Anything else to be done?

Let's have a last look around.

Well, you know the way.

Lets start at the meat counter.

Dear Customers, at our Fruit Stall Spanish strawberries are at 45 francs

instead of 56 francs.

Do take advantage of it.

What a surprise. - The world's a small place.

I'm just finishing my shopping. See you later.

Yes, see you later.

Oh, did you see that?

Cleaning service wanted at the Frozen foods, please.

Dear friend, how are you?

I've just seen the Manager's wife.

They're coming to our place tomorrow, do you know them well?

Yes, yes, of course, yes.

They say her husband eats so much?

Terrible. He has eating binges.

Inviting him is a disaster.

I'll take note of that for my shopping.

The shop is yours.

Dear Customers, please take advantage of our 60 franc discount ticket

on one kilo of fresh cod in our Fish Stall.

Dear Customers, at our Delicatessen Stall you will

now find our delicious pizza at special bargain prices.

Oh, the record is stuck!

Recognize it?

How charming. My favorite.

The best version.

Oh. Do you know her?

What about inviting her this evening?

Yes. Fine.

Let's go.

Do you have any veal brawn in tomato sauce?

At the end of the counter.

Oh thank you very much, Sir. Very kind of you.

Somebody's asking for carbonnades.

I'll make some.

Let's go.

Yuck. How can you digest it?

Well the stove's not working and I'm not going to throw them away.

Yuck! Cold!

It puts me off.

Cold fat and all.

No details please.

Rich and greasy food is bad anyway.

I only eat that now...diet.

Isn't Louis there anymore?

He had an accident, didn't you know?

He burnt his foot with spaghetti. - Typical.

That's not funny.

That's like François who stuck a knife in his stomach while cutting up the veal.

The big intestine was out.

I had to put it back in myself

and put a plaster on it before getting him to the hospital.

Do you mind? We're eating.

Well, he'll be back next week.

That's because he's in love. - What's that, now?

It shows. He's in the clouds.

Rubbish! His knife slipped.

He's lucky we went so fast.

That's like severed fingers.

They put them back like new, if you hurry up about it.

Couldn't we talk of something else?

Should I decrease? - Let's see.

One or two more lines, first.

Bend over a bit, love.

Lift your arm up a bit.

Looks contagious, knitting. - Fantastic invention.

Wonder who invented it?

Probably no-one knows.

It's like buttons or mayonnaise.

Just pure coincidence.

N° 51 for Cash Register 19.

N° 51 for Cash Register 19.

Frozen food attendant please.

Grocery Department, please ring 227.

Mr. Janssens at the drug store.

Head Cashier for Register 46, Register 46.

Mrs. Crommel, please ring 221.

Animal attendant, please ring 227.

Dear Customers, please take advantage of our 30 franc discount ticket

on purchase of one of our delicious pizza available at the Delicatessen Stall.

You should come to dinner, with Catherine.

Good idea.

Yes, it would be fun.

I'm not sure of what I want to make yet.

What don't you like?

I like everything except kidneys.

Know about a "dodos"? - No.

3 cakes cooked separately

and filled with chocolate.

And it's de-li-cious!

I think she'll like that.

I'm trying her on vegetables. She doesn't eat enough of them.

Let's have a Californian Salad then.

Vegetables alone. So she'll have to eat them.

Isn't it too hot?

No, no, no.

Anyway, we can make it together. You'll see.

It'll be fun.

Yes.

Piping hot with white sauce.

Some prefer it cold with tartar sauce.

Personally, I find it hard to digest because the head's too rubbery.

And that's enough of it.

I'm fed up, you know.

I don't understand you.

Look, we've just spent 2 hours discussing it.

Look, I have to work. We're through.

No use coming to get me either.

Françoise.

I'll be back in a minute. - OK

An electrical attendant wanted at the Information Desk.

Mrs. François, please ring 232.

Mr. Postiaux, Information Desk.

So, that's where you're hiding? - Yes. Want some to warm you up?

What is it? - Vodka.

Want some? - No.

Coming tonight?

Yes.

With your friend?

You ass. You're my only friend.

Didn't you know?

No. Since this morning?

Yes. I left him.

Oh, I didn't know.

But you're bleeding, Madam!

It's nothing.

But you're hurt. - I get that from time to time.

It's nothing. Don't worry. - Come.

No, I'm alright, really.

Somebody get me the Cologne, please.

Let's have a look at you.

So that was it.

Sit down.

Talk of an imagination.

Are you planning to pay for the steak you "forgot"?

I don't have enough money.

Don't talk about the economic crisis. I know all about it.

Identity card?

A real little Chicago here, with all this theft going on.

Where are we going at?

I undersigned, acknowledge having wanted to take out

a steak "Extra" without paying for it.

Write out "Read and approved" and sign there.

Let this be a lesson to you.

Go on, now.

Ever saw that before, Inspector?

It's not really surprising.

Last time, it was a whole frozen salmon in a man's pants.

We'd seen it. But, of course he denied it. Wouldn't give it back.

Can you imagine it? It was cold.

We were suffering with him.

And civic sense is being forgotten.

I still don't know why people steal.

After 15 years I still don't know.

What's it to become?

We can't sell it anymore.

What a pity.

Take it.

Well, ifs not very appetizing any more, is it?

For your dog, then. - I don't have one.

Don't you have any animals, Inspector?

I do. A dog.

Well take it, then.

Yes, yes.

There's a bottle of champagne near the compactor.

Dry? - Yes.

I'll take it, then. - OK. Fine.

Have you been here long?

Only a few days.

Same with me.

Like it?

Not really. It's not important.

Know about our little party?

No.

Marco, Gerald and others in the shop are coming. I don't think you know them.

If you feel like coming.

What's it about?

Food, drink and music.

When?

Tonight,

with good food.

What kind?

A bit of everything like in a big hotel.

You'll see. It'll be fun.

Tell me, Mr. Janssens, any ideas for tonight?

I know a little restaurant with lovely fish.

No fish.

It's a Northern delegation. They get it every day.

We need something special like game.

Hare, pheasant, I don't know.

Or wild boar? The hunting seasons's in, anyway.

All right. Let's try to find some, if that's what you want.

My mother in law came to eat on Saturday.

I'd already invited her, but she never wanted to come.

At last, she agreed.

I was wondering what to make for it to be good without being too good.

So I made fondue.

You know, where each person cooks his meat in oil to his liking.

With lots of sauces.

That's where I really got into it.

I made them all myself. It was real good.

I now have so much sauce left over that I've got to buy more meat.

After that, you know me, a cheese platter.

Cheese is my sin.

Every morning, a slice of bread with butter,

a slice of Gouda on top and a bit of mustard. And I'm not to be disturbed.

Dear Customers, at our Delicatessen Stall now our delicious pizza *

at special bargain prices:

89 francs instead of 119 francs.

Take advantage of it.

Which wine do you prefer?

Depends what's going with.

What do you want?

Bordeaux.

Red or white? - No, no a good red wine.

What could I choose from all that stuff?

Bread? Do I still have some, I wonder?

French bread?

Depends on what I buy.

Ah! Fresh cream?

It must be crammed full of calories.

Cheese.

Camembert.

Margarine, butter.

Melted cheese.

What shall I take?

The Cornish hens are interesting.

No duck fillets?

I don't see any.

Yes, yes, yes. Lamb?

Lamb, yes.

Let's go and see for the ham.

Let's go and see.

There.

Look, it's fine.

Not too salty?

Don't know.

Smoked meats, bacon, sausages, lactoproteins, conservatives, stabilizers.

No, no tins.

What shall I take then?

Dear Customers, at our Delicatessen you will now find our delicious, pizza...

Pizza? Pizza?

I think I'll take a commercial prepared meal.

"Students or Singles".

That's me.

And a bottle of red wine to go with it.

Merlot looks OK. Yes, let's see if there's something else, as well.

Mr. Peeters.

Good day.

What a surprise meeting you here.

I rarely do the shopping.

How's your wife? - Fine.

Good.

By the way,

I sent you an important and urgent file 8 days ago

and still haven't got an answer.

We're short of personnel.

Do you realize how important and urgent this affair is?

I'm not the one who decides.

Look, this isn't the office. - Yes, yes I'm coming.

Enjoy your meal.

Enjoy your meal. I suppose I was bound to meet him.

What an idea to come here.

What a queue.

Why doesn't it get going?

Now I've forgotten the wine.

Let's find another queue.

What about this one? No.

Not a single queue moving. It really bugs me.

Just like this morning with my wife.

Why did I get worked up?

Now I'm eating alone and I still haven't solved anything.

What about inviting her to the restaurant tonight?

I should have thought of that earlier.

10 years ago I preferred non-mature cheese.

I don't know if there's a link but now I prefer half-matured.

When I get round to processed cheese I'll start asking myself questions.

It's him. It's that man over there.

It isn't possible. I haven't touched anything.

You did. I saw you.

You made everything fall as you went by.

It isn't true. I went by, but didn't touch anything.

Some people never feel ashamed. Do you do that at home, too?

Honestly. What about picking it up?

Incredible.

Come on.

TCT, please ring 227.

I've only done half of my shopping, and I'm still jabbering on.

I must hurry up.

My shopping!

My shopping! Quickly!

Is everything there? - Yes, yes.

Is that the sugar? - It's just come in.

Don't forget the driver. Where's the envelope?

Come on.

Dear Customers, do take advantage of our 30 franc discount ticket

available on purchase of our delicious pizza at the Delicatessen.

Hey madam, about the sugar, it's 1 kilo per family!

Oh, I didn't know.

What do you mean? Everyone knows. It's in all the papers, on all the news.

Maybe Madam is illiterate?

There are rules.

Privileged rules.

Why are you letting her get away with it, Miss?

She doesn't even answer.

That'll be 247 francs, Madam.

Well, if that's the case.

So what about the rules.

Head Cashier for Cash Register N° 2. Urgent.

I'm sorry Madam, one kilo only.

But one woman just got away with 6.

She's right.

I'm sorry, I can't allow it. It's against the rules.

Talk about rules.

Our delicious pizza, dear Customers are now at the Delicatessen.

Oh, but Madam. What on earth.

OK, that's enough from you. You're fired. Get out.

It's alright, Madam, please come with me.

Everything's alright.

Everything's alright. No, let me guide you through.

Dear Clients, do take advantage of our 60 francs discount ticket

on purchase of 1 kilo of fresh cod at our Fish Stall.

Our delicious pizza are now being sold at 89 francs instead of

119 at our Delicatessen Stall. Take advantage of it.

At the Fruit Stall the Spanish strawberries are at 45 instead of 56 francs.

Take advantage of it.

What have you done, you dirty little girl.

You dirty little girl.

Come here.

Look, you.

A dog had a little accident. So get it cleaned up now.

It's not my job.

How amusing. We'll see about that. Let's find someone else for now.

I'd like to ask you a question.

Did you know the person with the sugar, back there?

No, I didn't.

Do you realize what you nearly started off, back then?

Why didn't you stop it?

I didn't know.

The thing is, everyone knows except you. Pay attention.

It's not her fault.

She can't be expected to remember everything. We're not machines.

And nobody cares about our needs. - What do you mean?

We've been asking air screens for weeks.

Now's not the time.

It never is.

You never say anything, do you?

You provoke everyone and it doesn't change a thing.

If you don't say anything, how could it change?

Mrs. De Smet and Van Houten for Cash Register support.

Mr. Vermeulen, call for extension 11.

Mr. Vermeulen, extension 11. Urgent.

The delegation will be an hour late? Why?

So they'll be straight in from the airport, then?

Yes, yes, fine.

Dear Clients, Cash Register N° 8 is now open.

That'll be 431 francs, please.

Hello, what on earth are you doing here?

It's Wednesday.

How are you? - Fine.

Based on this observation we were able to establish

a set of rules for installing a supermarket.

First of all, easy access is essential

with the outside alleys large enough to allow a free traffic flow.

5 minutes to 20h00. Your shop is now closing.

Would you finish your shopping and head for a Cash Register, please.

Dear Customers, it is 20h00. Your shop is now closed.

Thank you for coming and have a nice evening.

Tell me, what happened?

Did Bernard get fired?

I don't know where he is.

I've looked everywhere for him.

Will he be there tonight? - Hope so.

Hope you had a good trip? - Yes, fine.

You don't look happy.

What's up?

I've had enough.

I want to get out of here.

Come on, take me away.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let's start our tour of the shop.

This way.

As you can see, the sales surface is composed of a series of alley-ways

which could be compared to streets.

And our clients, like street users,

when they know what they want, go straight to destination.

This is called destination traffic because it's logical and planned.

This way please.

On the contrary, clients who don't know what they want,

or have enough time to wander about,

stroll from one point to another lead on by the products.

This kind of traffic is known as impulsion.

All these observations have given us a set of basic rules

concerning the set-up of a sales surface.

Easy access is essential

with large outside alleys so as to enable free traffic flow.

The everyday things have to be dispersed right through the store

so that the customer has to take - Stop it. Are you mad?

Try to control yourself.

I'm starving.

You're a real binger.

You act like a thief.

What about Bernard? - Went that way with Isabelle.

What happened?

I got fired.

What do you mean?

We were fighting in the stock room and they made me responsible.

Too long to explain.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Supermarkets have existed for a longtime.

Looking back, we realize that what we're doing isn't new.

Where's the difference, then?

Well, it's a bit like the difference between a classical theater

with its curtains, prompt and off-stage

and the new theaters all round without either curtains or off-stage.

Because now everyone sees everything

because it all takes place in an enormous hall

where the sales are or aren't concluded.

What about the wine?

I've got it.

Come on, you lot.

Come on, hurry up.

See you at the 3 Foxes. We'll follow you.

Are you OK, Bernard?

Can't wait for Spring.