Original subtitles

¶¶¶

(cheering)

(music from headphones)

(Ding! Dong!)

- Ben?

Ben! There's someone here to see you!

- Hi.

(coughing) - Doing anything special?

- No.

- 'Cause we could try out my new video game.

- Those games of yours are unreal.

- See you, squirt. Hello, Charles.

- Hey, Dad!

- Oh, I forgot. Today's payday.

- There.

- You mean, that's all?

And after that mega cool cleaning job I did?

- Let me know if you need more. That ought to do for a start.

- Charles gets much more, you know?

Without even working, he gets twice as much!

- When you're finished hollering, you might wish me luck!

If things work out for me, you might even get a raise! Ah-ha!

- Promise? - Promise!

- Good luck, Dad! - Thanks.

- It's a lot of fun.

Its tutu. When you hit it, it turns pink.

(scoffs) I'll show you.

- Hey, the Browns are moving out?

- No, the law is seizing their stuff again.

- What do you mean, "seizing their stuff"?

- You can't do that to us! - You're not taking that anyway!

- I'm very sorry, but do you realize how long you've had?

- Now, look, I need 24 hours, okay?

24 hours, no more! - You have no right to do this!

- If I haven't done my work, the police will have to.

(sighs)

- The guy in the suit there, he's the bailiff.

- What? - The bailiff.

The one who takes your stuff.

- Boy is that sick? Can bailiffs really do that?

- Yeah. When you're bankrupt, you're bankrupt.

- Only companies can go bankrupt, Charles.

- No, no. My father says it's true.

When you don't pay your bills, you're gonna go bankrupt.

- Ta-pa-ra-pa-ra!

Ta-pa-ra-pa-ra, pa-pa-ra!

Enemy of the people! Horrible, petty bourgeois!

Miserable toad! I shall vindicate those poor souls!

And-- Um... Um... - And you'll wind up being rebuked by your peers!

- And you'll be wound up with puke in your ears!

(tires screeching and horn)

Enemy of the people! Horrible bourgeois!

Reactionary road hog!

Miserable-- (horn)

Oh, come on! Buzz off! We're shooting a movie here!

- Wow, it's the best scene in the whole movie.

- Hey, it's Maggie!

- I should've poked a hole in his tire!

- You should watch where you're going when you cross the street!

- Hi, Maggie. What's your movie called?

- "Chivalry Triumphs Again".

I borrowed the camera. We'll see. If it turns out to be good,

my dad said he'd show it on community TV.

- How about the way I shook that Bailey up?

- No, the bailiff, Julian. The bailiff.

Here.

- I bet you'd like to play a part in the movie.

But you're not handsome enough.

- Look who's talking!

(forcing)

- Chloe, the order's ready for Madame Nuberg.

Hurry up; she wants it right away.

- Darn it, Chloe.

You won again!

- But you're getting there. If you keep it up that way,

it won't be very long till I lose my title.

- Big boy here looks strong, but there's nothing there!

- You little cockroach! There's nothing there either!

- Let me go, muscle head!

- Two orangeades, no ice.

- How about the rest of us, Chuck?

Why is it only Ben who gets the freebies around here, hmm?

- That'll be three more orangeades then!

- If I weren't so timid, I'd give you a big smack.

- Don't do that. You want to contribute

to the delinquency of a minor?

- Chris. How many times have I told you?

- Here.

- $4.25.

Thank you. - Thanks a heap, Chuck.

- Thanks.

Do you want the bread charged to your account?

- Ben! Why don't you lighten up, a little, son?

Not the first time I didn't get a contract.

In the freelance business, it happens.

- I hope that this is the last time.

- What is bugging you anyway? - There's plenty of jobs

you could do! Translation's no way to make money!

- Excuse me, Ben, but who asked you? Eh?

- Ah. Listen to this.

"Sales representative wanted. No experience needed,

"should enjoy public.

Salary of $100,000 per year to be discussed."

Now, that's a job!

- When you like what you do, the money doesn't count that much.

- If you bankrupt, it does! Then it counts for a lot!

- What? Bankrupt?

- Bankrupt, yeah! That's when you get your stuff

seized by a bailiff! You don't pay your bills,

you know very well you're gonna go bankrupt, Dad!

- You're not trying to tell me I don't pay my bills, are you?

Well...

Good, everything's ready.

Now, then.

We'll clear that off. Here.

Give me that. Time for you to set the table.

- Dad! - Give me that!

- So much for that...

- Millionaire at fourteen? I don't believe it.

- Yeah, but it's true though.

And we can do the same as her.

Maybe even better! - We have no experience.

- What do you need experience for

when you're capable of washing windows,

cutting grass or painting walls,

taking the garbage out, taking care of kids...

Of course, we're gonna have to work our butts off, Charles,

but just think: in two years, we'll be stinking rich.

And then we'll have our own company!

And be our own boss!

We won't ever have to go out looking for work!

- And we would get ourselves the most amazingly cool office

with a fridge that's always full of orangeade?

- We'll never have to worry about money again!

- We'd always have friends coming around?

And we'd have a great big giant TV with a swimming pool,

and we'd have video games, and...

Hey, we'd have our own limos!

Wow! It's too much, eh?

- No, you're getting carried away there, Charles.

- Well, where do we start then?

- Well, we need somewhere to work.

We've got to get soap for cleaning,

and scrub pails, and brushes and gloves, and a ladder...

We'll have to spend some money now.

- Spent it? I thought we were supposed to be making money.

- Oh, $200 ought to do it.

- 200$? What do you mean?

(sighs) - Charles.

Prove how smart I am to take you on as a business associate

Find $100 by tomorrow.

I know you'll find it without trouble.

Won't you, Charles? See you.

- Yeah, but where will you find $100?

- Come up with your share; let me worry about mine.

- Your own company? That's not easy.

I'm not sure you'll have much fun.

Why don't you start by selling orangeade?

It wouldn't be as expensive

and I'd be delighted to help.

- But Mother, if I wanted help, I would've asked!

It's money that I need.

(clears throat) - Let me speak to Bob, please.

Thank you.

No, I'm sorry, Miss, but you--

you keep giving me the switchboard.

Let me talk to Bob. Thank you...

You see, if you want to succeed in business--

Hello, Bob! Yeah.

Yes. I'm anxious for you to take a look at those estimates

that I sent to your office. What?

It'd be great. And you might send me

your comments along with them. Mm-hmm.

But no later than Mon-- Charles, the window...

Yeah. Yes, exactly.

Okay? We're counting on you. It's important.

Thank you, Bob. See you.

Uh... If you want to succeed, remember, son,

it takes money to make money.

Only, the last thing to do is risk your own money.

You make money with other people's money.

Remember that, son.

(phone rings)

- Hi, guys. How are you?

- Hey, a Walkman.

- Hey, man! Your Walkman don't even work.

Are you trying to screw us or what?

(screeching)

¶¶¶ - Yeah. It sounds great.

- It's all yours for $10.

But who wants something half busted?

- You can always fix it; it's just a wire.

- She's right. And, um...

I'll even throw in a radio for the same price.

- You've got to be a wimp to pass up a chance like that!

¶¶¶ - Do you want to go in with me?

- I'll go half with you.

- I'd be willing to loan you $60 for two weeks.

- Is that all?

I have to have $100.

- Are you quite sure it's your necklace, son?

- Yeah, my aunt gave it to me.

She owed me the money, only she never has that much in cash.

- All right.

$80 then. That's my final offer.

- Well, okay. - But...

I charge interest, you know?

- How much will it cost to get it back?

- $100 in two weeks.

- A hundred? - If not...

the necklace is mine.

- Well, okay. I suppose...

(heavy metal music)

- Ten, fifteen, seventeen, nineteen...

Twenty.

- That's cool, Chloe.

And in two weeks, the company will give you $30, guaranteed.

- That better be true, Chuck.

If not, you're liable to get your neck twisted.

(heavy metal, moving away)

- Mission accomplished. - Let's see.

- A hundred dollars. Minus two.

- A $103.10! - Awesome, man!

We're already rich and we haven't even begun working!

(laughing)

- Can you believe it, Charles?

We're gonna have our own office!

- Yeah, but at the end of an old lane.

It's not so hot for our image.

- Now, look! We're not selling orangeade, Charles!

We don't need a fancy shop window on a boulevard!

We deal in services.

That's it.

- You lost your marbles or what?

You don't expect to work in a shack like this?

- Come on, Charles.

My grandmother's letting us use the place for free.

We can't pass that up.

¶¶¶

It's got potential, anyway.

Charles, give me a hand here.

Grab the other end.

There, we've got a super incredible desk, Charles!

- Hey, Ben, what do you know?

We've even gotten pigeons for good luck!

Oh... (laughing)

- Hey! Oh, there.

Oh...

(ringing)

Great...

- Man, you wouldn't believe how much it cost.

We're broke already.

- Did you get everything we needed?

- Yeah. In fact, more.

Ta-da!

(sighs) It's not great, but...

I had to bargain, but I got it from Chris for $15.

What's wrong?

What do we do if they say it costs too much?

- Then we make a deal.

- Well, you do the talking. - Trust me.

- What if she wants us to wash her toilet?

- Then we say, "With pleasure! That's our specialty."

- But you lower yourself by accepting

every job you're offered. It spoils the company image.

- Hey, you've got to make sacrifices to start with.

Now shut up, you make me nervous.

(opera music)

- Uh... Yeah, we just...

just opened a company and we, uh...

I mean, we... clean toilets.

- Hey, how come those guys are working

and they haven't even got a company?

- Charles, I think we'd have better luck

if we each took one side of the street.

(barking)

- Hey, hey, hey, how you doing, Chuck?

You won't forget me, will you?

Two weeks will go so fast...

- No, no, Chloe! I won't forget.

(heavy metal music)

(sighs)

Yeah. We need 'on the job accident insurance'.

(meowing)

You want one?

- Uh... No, thanks. I'm fine.

- Well, lucky for me then.

- Eight dollars and a half. Well, it's a beginning.

- The beginning of the end... Ouch.

- Do you know what we need, Charles?

- Our heads examined.

- What we need is publicity.

Of course! Like the girl in the article. The millionaire.

She handed out flyers by the thousands and it worked!

- But not if it's tramping from door to door again...

- No. I've got a better idea.

- Enemy of the people!

Horrible petty bourgeois. Miserable toad!

I shall vindicate those poor souls!

And-- Uh... Uh...

- And you'll wind up being rebuked by your peers!

- And you'll be wound up with puke in your ear!

- Hi, Maggie. - Hello.

- Uh, well...

Were you able to think over our proposition?

- Oh, yeah. But this morning, I thought of a much better idea

than a commercial. A documentary.

- Uh... But documentary is...

- Sure, but Maggie, what are we supposed to do

with a documentary?

- Besides, you sleep through documentaries.

Come on. All we want is the coolest spot on the tube.

- On and on, about how you do the greatest job in town,

the fastest and the cheapest.

If you ask me, it's just a pain.

- It's a pain, but that's how the business works.

- It's true, Maggie, you can make videos

that are much more intelligent that anyone's...

but I think... it's a super challenge to do commercials!

- We don't mind if you do some far-out stuff,

but just do it.

- Why not? It could be rather interesting.

Especially since...

apparently, it's well paid!

- Uh... That is...

At the moment, we're not what you would call

'rolling in it'... - But we will be though.

- After all, Maggie, there's more to art

than its monetary value!

- Yeah, I guess you're right.

Like my videos are self-expression.

Okay, I'll do the commercial for nothing.

- Oh! Thanks a million, Maggie!

- But on one condition. I want you to make me your partner.

- You mean, you want to work for us?

- No, with you. - Well... that's a fine idea!

What do you think, Charles?

- Well, maybe we could give her 10%?

- Oh, cheaper than that you can't get!

10%... I'm an equal partner or nothing.

Sexual discrimination is revolting.

- Hey, look!

- The Clean Machine!

The company that does all your odd jobs for you...

as quick as a flash!

¶¶¶

(meowing)

The Clean Machine does the greatest job in town!

The fastest and the cheapest! - Wow!

- Don't wait! Call us at 849-5248.

(ticking)

(phone rings)

- Hello? - [Is this The Clean Machine?]

- Yes, that's us. - [This is Mr. Bruce.]

[I may have a lot of paper to cart to the recycling bin.]

[How much would that cost?]

- We charge $7 an hour with a minimum of $2 for small jobs.

- [That sounds reasonable. When can you come?]

- We'll send someone to your house as soon as possible.

- [Thank you.] - Thank you for calling!

It's Mr. Bruce, he has masses of newspapers

to take to the recycling bin! - Woo-hoo!

- Yay! (laughing)

(phone rings)

- Easy, Crocs.

Rocky! Not so fast! Hey!

- Wooh! Aie, aie...

Have you, guys, ever tried to paint before?

- Sure we have. It's easy. Want us to do a little?

- Oh, no! I'm having a ball here!

(whistling)

Although, if you buy me an orangeade,

I sure wouldn't mind having a break.

- Do you have a quarter? - I think so.

(heavy metal music)

- Hi, Chloe. What's up?

- As of today, two weeks are what's up, Chuckles.

- Tonight, Chloe. I promise. We're making money like mad,

and tonight, we get paid...

- Oh, no...

- It's a nice color.

- It's sort of like blue ice cream.

- Yuck!

- We sure will, Ma'am. We're the fastest and the best.

Thank you.

- That's a wrap!

- Good, 'cause I've had it.

You said that we took in... 420?

- Yeah. - Divided by three...

equals $140 each.

Ten, thirty...

forty, sixty... - What are you doing?

- Seventy... I'm taking my third of it.

- No way, Charles. No way.

What if we took $5 each for now?

We'll reinvest the rest.

- What do you mean, reinvest it? - Do you want to get rich

or don't you? - Well, sure I do.

- Well, then you got to make sacrifices when you start out.

- How far do you think $5 will get me?

You know what the cost of living is, man?

- You bet I do, because we're in for some huge expenses.

We need an answering machine and cash reserves

for unexpected expenses.

- Now, hold it, Mr. Tightwad, the cash reserves come later

but my expenses are expected!

I have to have $130 by this afternoon.

- Huh? You're nuts! You're out of your mind!

So what do you want it for anyhow? Orangeade?

- Now, wait a minute. I'm not spending it.

- Oh, no? Then what's it for?

To pay a couple of babies to work in your place?

- It's not! Not at all, okay? It's personal, that's what.

- Then keep it that way and don't drag the company into it!

You weren't filming us, were you?

Oh, no! I mean... Look, Maggie, you wouldn't want

to put that in the documentary? - Why wouldn't I?

The best of partners have their arguments now and then.

- But you could've let us know first!

- You said that I could. My only goal is reporting the truth.

It's not for the commercial, after all.

- You were shooting me from the rear?

(heavy metal music)

¶¶¶

- Hey! What are you doing there?

- Ha! Guess!

(whistling)

(heavy metal)

Oh, wow...

This ought to be mega great.

(heavy metal music)

Mmm...

You're stuffing your face with the cash you owe me, Chuck?

- I was just coming to see you, Chloe.

- Let me see my $30, okay?

- I'll treat you to something if you like!

- How about this? Looks good.

- Hey, I bet you'll like this! It's good; it's incredible!

- You don't have my money, do you?

- When you start out, you got to make sacrifices after all.

- Yeah? Well, I'm not about to make any sacrifices for you!

- Even if you stand to make more?

- How much more? - 35?

- Like, 40! - Just one more week.

- You're on.

- You know, Chuck, it has helped you a lot to work for Ben.

You just began to get clever.

- I'm not working for him and I'm not his employee!

We're equal associates in the company!

- Keep your voice down to a roar, Chuck.

- Is there something I can do?

- Uh, no... No, not really.

But, Maggie?

I was thinking... and it occurred to me that...

that it could be helpful if you were to know

how the company's accounts are kept in the office ledger...

I've got the time now if you...

if you'd like.

- Yeah, okay. As soon as I'm finished here.

- There, you see a record of all our business since we opened.

Oops! I got carried away there.

On one side, you have our income,

and the other, the expenses.

And by the end of the month, what you do is...

you calculate the totals.

That gives you the company's statement.

Say that our income exceeds expenses,

well, we earn a profit.

But our expenses are more than our income,

then we've got a problem. We're in a hole...

- When did you ever learn all that?

- Oh, it comes sort of naturally.

- You're so organized.

Really, I'm impressed with you, Ben.

- You know, I thought you might also want to use

a ledger like this one when you're producing a film.

If you want, I'll prepare one for you.

- Yes, it's a great idea.

That's really sweet of you. Gotta go. See you tomorrow!

- S-- See you then! You bet...

Woo-hoo-hoo! Ha! Ha! Ha!

- Um... Ben? Uh...

I had some good news, I almost forgot.

My dad knows a reporter who wants to interview us

for the community newspaper. - One, two... Oh, really?

- And you know what's neater? I'm going to film the interview

and I'll put it in my documentary.

It's really going to look professional.

- I mean, that's cool! Uh... One...

- By the way, there's nothing better

than exercise to combat stress.

So long! - So long!

Woah...

- A deal, young man, is a deal.

You knew what the conditions were,

I never twisted your arm.

- Yeah, but I'm going to get my neck twisted...

I need another week,

and I'll give you $50 more in interest.

Take it or leave it.

That's my final offer, as we say.

- Now, look.

The minute I close up shop, the necklace is my property.

And it's for sale. (sighs)

- Mr. Bernard wants us to wash his windows. But we're booked

on Monday and Tuesday. - Yeah, that's right.

- We could do it on Wednesday, what do you say?

- Wednesday, I have Madame Smith though.

We said we'd wash her car. - What time? The morning?

- Yeah, the morning. - We'll do his windows in the afternoon.

- The afternoon is fine with me. - I'm busy all day long.

- Yeah, I know. - What's your name?

- The last wicket, ma'am. - Thank you.

- It's to open a new account.

Charles, are you coming or not?

- Come on, how often do we open an account?

- It kills me to even think of my money rotting in a bank...

- In what name?

- In the name of our company; The Clean Machine it's called.

- For a company, we suggest a joined account requiring

two signatures, so that each transaction is countersigned.

Are you an incorporated or a registered company?

- Let's forget it, it's too complicated.

- We thought we'd start with just a simple account, is that possible?

- Yes, of course, if you prefer.

You may open an account allowing

anyone of you three to make transactions. All right?

(video game buzzing)

- Hey, Louis, it's my turn to have the Walkman now!

(music from headphones)

- Hello, Mr. Khanh. - Hello, Ben.

Thank you.

There.

Just a second, young man.

You will give this, please, to your father.

It's your bill for this month.

All right?

- Just a moment, sonny.

Aren't you one of the boys who work for The Clean Machine?

- That's right, ma'am. - Are you as fast as you claim

in your commercial, hmm? - Ha! Ha! Ha! Sure we are!

- I called to have someone come tomorrow. Don't forget me now.

My name is Madame Morris and you're to cut my grass.

- Sure, Madame Morris! Don't worry about it; it's all set.

- Well, we'll see. - Goodbye now!

- Hey, Samson! - Did you hear what I heard?

We'll see about that.

Hey, Chloe. Ben and company are still stealing our customers.

- He's supposed to cut the grass at old Lady Morris'!

- We need you to help us bury 'em. What do you say?

- Okay.

I'll take care of it.

But you'll have to take my place, and forego a couple of bills too.

(heavy metal music)

(phone rings)

- Hello, this is The Clean Machine.

Our services are so much in demand that we're all out working.

- If you leave us your name and phone number...

- (all): We'll call you back as soon as we can!

¶¶¶

- Don't. Don't be a fool, Chloe, don't shoot!

- You know what they always say, your ambition could kill you.

- Well, yeah, but the company has to be successful

if you want to get reimbursed.

- But it doesn't mean you have to go stealing my boys' jobs.

- Yeah, but it's only natural, Chloe!

To compete for business!

(shooting water) That's cold!

- See that? It's a list of names of my boys' clients.

And if you're smart, you'll learn it by heart.

Now, if I'm forced to come after you again, it'll be to collect my money.

And you better come up with every cent too.

'Cause Ben won't be too happy to discover that his company

owes me $40. (shoots water)

- Morning, Madame Morris. We're here to cut your grass.

- You two?

You mean, you're working for the The Clean Machine now?

- No. We're still working on our own.

Our buddies at The Clean Machine asked us to go on working here.

Eh, Louis? - Yeah, yeah.

- Besides, your grass ain't on their turf, know what I mean?

- Oh, well. But this time, try not to lose the key.

- No, no, no!

- No problem, ma'am.

- Uh, Madame Carter?

It's $5 for a clothes line.

- Five dollars? I was told two on the phone!

- But $2 is the minimum for a minor household job, but...

not a clothes line.

- I wish I'd known that. - When you think of it,

it's dangerous to go climbing those poles, and I mean...

we take enough a big risk.

And it costs an awful lot for insurance.

- Well, I'll pay it...

but $5 is a lot to ask when you only work ten minutes.

- Guess so...

(imitating siren)

(horns)

(imitating siren)

- Hello, Ben!

My sister wants to see you right away.

She says it's urgent. - Maggie? Okay, I'm coming.

- Want me to take your place?

- Did she tell you what for?

- No, but she said you were looking for employees.

- Where is she? - At the office. She's waiting.

Hey! Why don't you hire me?

I'm real good at working.

- But you're not experienced.

- Neither were you when you began!

- Okay... I'll give you a try at 50 cents an hour.

- Thanks, boss!

- Look at that. I've just checked it over at the bank.

Withdrawal: $100.

- Well, maybe it's the teller's error.

- I had the teller verify twice.

- Maybe he should verify it some more.

- And the $10 that disappeared? - You can't be sure about that.

- Yeah, you're right. I have no proof.

And it balances out with the book. But the figures

could've been changed. - Yeah...

- You know what, Ben? We'll just have

to seriously question Charles about this whole thing.

It's not only the chips and orangeade.

It's $110.

(phone rings)

The Clean Machine, can I help you?

- [This is Madame Carter calling.]

[Tell me, how come your employee charged me $5 instead of two?]

- Surely there's been some mistake.

And we'll refund your money. - [I should hope so.]

- We're sorry, thank you for calling.

Yes. Goodbye.

It's Charles.

- What? What's the matter?

Now, what's he done?

- Hey, what's up with you two?

What are we meeting outside the working hours for?

What's the big deal?

Man, you guys sure look down.

We haven't declared bankruptcy yet, have we?

- Charles, you've got to leave.

- What do you mean, 'leave'? I just got here.

- She means leave the company, Charles.

- What? I hope you guys don't think you're funny.

- Not a bit funny, because you have to quit the company.

- What's with you, guys? What's the matter?

- Unless you return the money you took.

- That I took? I don't owe one cent to the company, okay?

Do you think I took some money?

Are you accusing me of stealing?

Ah-ha... I'm beginning to see what your game is now...

The lovers have decided that three is a crowd.

- You talk about playing games? That seems to be

all you've done! You keep guzzling junk at our expense

and when you're tired, you get your work done for you by infants!

- Hey, give it a rest. It only happened once.

- We're sick of the customers complaining.

Today, another one called to say you overcharged for your work.

What did you do with that money?

It's all so personal, I suppose!

One, two, three. Okay.

Documentary on The Clean Machine case.

Commentary, part three.

As you will see, a sad thing happened this evening.

That sounds stupid...

You'll now hear of a dramatic event

which happened this evening.

One of the three Clean Machine colleagues was asked to resign.

This serious decision was terribly difficult to make.

The worst decision of my life.

But it was made in a tradition of true democracy.

We were two against one.

Business and friendship never mix well, so I'm told.

Well, I don't know. I'm beginning to wonder now.

I don't know why it is that in business,

you can't stay friends.

But it's the most tragic of all for Ben in the end.

Because Charles was his best friend.

(sighs)

(steps, downstairs)

- It's about time...

- I thought you'd left for work.

- Well, I'm on vacation.

- Already? After only two weeks?

My... Lucky man.

You tell me about it later, okay? I'm in a hurry now.

- They were on the fridge! Hey, look who's here!

How come you're not at work?

Your mom said you were involved in a company.

It's a great experience, huh?

- You bet. - Yes, indeed.

And today, he begins two weeks vacation, don't you?

- Oh, you lucky man!

Come and see me if you're on vacation!

- Have a good day.

(music from headphones)

- Let me have the Walkman!

¶¶¶

(turns up the volume)

- Get out of my sight, cockroach!

- Hey! Go play somewhere else! I got work to do!

- You go play somewhere else! She's our client!

- Liar! She's a Clean Machine client!

- The Clean Machine? Chloe didn't warn those guys.

- The Clean Machine gang is gonna get pulverized!

You tell them, pipsqueak! - Enemy of the people!

Horrible petty bourgeois.

- Hey! Hold it! Take it easy!

That thing's dangerous!

You're completely warped or what?

- What's the story here? Looks pretty bad.

- Hey, you know those guys are still after our jobs?

You were paid to lay down the law and you didn't.

You're scared of that shrimp?

What a couple of wimps you are. Now look, shrimpy.

Don't the people over The Clean Machine catch on?

- If no one's ever gone let me work,

I quit the job! So there!

- Hi.

- Hello, Maggie. How are you this morning?

- I could be a lot better.

- What are you doing there? - Mr. Roy, the journalist,

said he'd come to interview us this afternoon.

- Wow, that's just great! I guess you're really glad, eh?

- Well, right now, I'm too busy.

- Um... Maggie?

- You know what Julian told me?

He said you offered him 50 cents an hour.

I'm sure you made a mistake. - A mistake?

- Did you say 50 cents an hour, yes or no?

- Well... - That, Ben, is exploitation.

Pure and simple. Well, I think that's disgusting.

- But Maggie, for someone his age, it's pretty good wages.

- And on top of that,

you hire an employee without even telling me.

Hey, I'm your partner here. You know that?

What were you gonna say? - Uh, nothing. Nothing at all.

- Okay, see you.

- So long, Maggie.

(phone rings)

The Clean Machine, can I help you?

- [This is Mr. Roy from The Weekly News.]

- Oh, yes, Mr. Roy! - [Is Maggie there, please?]

- No, she left here just a minute before you called.

- [It's about her appointment for an interview this afternoon.]

- Sure, she told me about it. - [We'll have to do it now...]

- Right away? - [Well, that would be best.]

[In an hour, if possible.] - Okay! Sure, I'll be here.

- [Well, that's fine.]

(imitating engine)

(imitating engine)

(mimicking brakes)

- Chloe wouldn't let me cut the grass at Madame Dorkin's!

- You let me take care of it.

- Okay, boss!

- And anyhow, you're not to work for 50 cents an hour.

- Nobody wants me to work...

- Hurry up!

Ouch!

Okay, come on. Let's get out of here.

- Samson, the Walkman!

Hey, Samson!

- What's wrong, cockroach? What's the matter?

- LET ME HAVE THE WALKMAN!

(video game music) - Charles, turn it down!

- One, two, one two.

One, two, one two.

Perhaps you would tell us just what made you go into business.

- To be quite honest with you,

we never had much money at home.

And so, it was up to me to pull us out of the hole, as we say.

And so, I decided it was best to start with my own company.

- You mean, you began with nothing, from scratch?

- Believe it or not, the money I needed came from a sale.

Everything I owned went into it.

I took a huge risk. And if it didn't work,

guess who's up the old creek? And without a canoe!

But I'm firmly convinced that at the age of fourteen,

I'll be a millionaire as I intended.

I kept mire in the ball, kept going forward.

And I am succeeding. (phone rings)

Succeeding pretty darn well too!

The Clean Machine, how can I help you?

- Hello. It's Mr. Bernard.

[I would like to speak to whoever's in charge there.]

- Well, that's me, all right!

How can I be of service? - I want my money back!

I'm perfectly willing to give kids a chance; I like kids!

[But I can't believe my windows here!]

[There's no excuse for it!]

- Very good, so we can do that for you, uh... this Friday?

- What do you mean, Friday? That's not what I want!

I want you to give me my money back!

- [Very good, sir. We'll be there at three.]

- WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU?!

- And thank you for calling, sir!

I'll put on the answering machine,

otherwise we'll be interrupted constantly.

- But tell me how did your name become known in town.

- Well, you see, we simply made use of publicity.

My associate Maggie, who's a brilliant and talented

young filmmaker, made a commercial and happens to be

in the process of doing a documentary on our company.

In fact, the business had only been operating a week and--

(knocking on door)

...we already had to hire additional employees.

Just a second, please. - Oh, yeah...

All stiffed up to take out the trash, huh?

But actually, it's the way Chuck looks that interests me.

- Uh... Charles?

He... He's in bed with a cold.

- In bed, is he? When I catch up to that guy,

he's gonna need a stretcher.

What a liar he turned out to be.

- Uh, there's a journalist...

who's doing an article on the company.

Hey!

- Would you mind telling me who Chuck is?

- Hi, they call me Chloe.

- How do you do, Chloe?

- Chuck is a partner of his and I loaned some money to him.

But besides not paying me,

he's staling my customers.

- Will you please stop bothering him, Chloe?

- Put all that stuff in your article, it's all facts.

If Chuck doesn't cough up what he owes today

then you're the one I'll come for.

- I'm not covering his debts, so leave me out of it!

- You took him on as a partner, that's your tough luck.

(beep)

- This is Madame Dorkin.

You won't get away with this, I'm warning you!

- There! Now we won't be bothered again.

In order to be better organized, from one day to the next,

I designed this workplan called 'The order of the day'.

Now, this permits each one to see what's ahead of us.

Or even work up a plan for our own week.

And it's a big help for the employees values as well.

- (from outside): The Clean Machine exploits the workers!

- Now, here, you have the dates. And here are the hours.

(shouting from outside) As we each have our own color,

you can tell at a glance who is at work!

And what they are working at! And for how long! Excuse me!

- The Clean Machine exploits the workers!

- Shut up, Julian! - Hello, boss! I'm on strike!

- That's enough, you little punk! Go back to work, will you?

- I want you to give me a raise now.

- Look. I'm sorry, but this is not time to--

- The Clean Machine exploits the workers!

- Okay, okay! Julian, there's no need to holler!

I'll give you a raise of 70 cents an hour.

- Maggie told me that I was worth at least $1.50!

- Hey, that would triple your salary! No way--

- The Clean Machine exploits the workers!

- Get out, do you hear? - Why don't you play it cool?

Just give me the money.

- Okay, Julian. I'll really give you your pay raise, okay?

- Ben? Cheese!

Don't move now. Don't move.

- Go back to work! We don't want to keep the customers waiting!

- Yahoo! It's fun to go on strike!

Thanks, boss! (imitating engine)

(heavy metal music)

- What can I do for you, young man?

- I came to offer you a super deal.

- Do you have another piece of jewelry for me?

- Well, not really, but I could give you

an amazing deal for the necklace.

You know I specialize in the washing of windows?

- I'm terribly sorry to say that you're too late.

- Too late? You don't mean it's already sold?

(heavy metal music)

- Hey, you people don't catch on very quick, do you?

- Oh, lay off, will you? I feel bad enough as it is.

Chloe, let me by, I said.

Oh, come on! I'm not after your job.

It's just an order for the neighbor lady.

- You take it to your neighbor, but on one condition.

- Hello, Maggie. - Hello.

- You got to tell me where Chucky is.

- I have no idea. He doesn't even work for us now. In fact, he was sacked.

- He was sacked? You guys are in a mess, aren't you?

Well, then who's going to pay back the money he owes me?

- Charles owes money to you?

- $40, he owes me. And I'm tired of chasing after him for it.

- I'm sure he'll pay you back soon.

He stole $110 from us. - 110?

- (father): Ben?! How much?

- Yes. That's all.

That's what it is after the $110 that Ben gave me yesterday.

You only owe 31. Mm-hmm.

- Aaah! - What's going on?

I guess we caught you with your pants down, Tiger.

Tell me it isn't true.

You're not going in for pornos?

- Well, of course I had to change before the interview!

- What? Mr. Roy was here?

- I tried to get hold of you, I called everywhere I thought--

- I missed out on the interview of my life

because of you? - Now, wait. Wait, Maggie.

Take it easy! I shot the whole interview for you on tape!

But it's a complete mess. Just give me the cassette,

I'll have to buy you another one.

- So the big shot plays the star while the rest of us are working.

- Maybe the work's not that great!

I heard nothing but complaints on the phone all day!

- Complaints? - Yeah! The company is a victim of sabotage!

- Sabotage? - What do you expect?

When people are warned and don't listen, we haul out the big guns.

- You're doing the sabotage? - It's just a sample of what could happen.

- But Chloe! Do you realize what a fool I looked like

to that journalist? And what about our reputation?

- And Charles? How about his reputation?

I guess you don't worry about him.

It didn't bother you to let him be taken for a thief.

- Maggie, it's simply a question of trust!

You're the one who discovered the theft, aren't you?

- I may have got the theft right, but I got the thief wrong!

- What do you mean, 'wrong', Maggie?

- You're a real hypocrite.

- Look. Here, Maggie, I'm afraid that you've misunderstood!

- Cut out the innocent act, Ben.

We know that you're the thief.

- That's the most revolting injustice I've seen in my life.

All for a dumb little grocery bill.

- Maybe you call the grocery bill of Mr. Hua little, but I'm sure he doesn't think so!

He could've called the bailiff anytime and we would've had everything seized!

- Aren't you exaggerating more than usual?

- What about the Browns? You saw everything; you've even filmed it!

You thought it was pretty gross then, Maggie!

- Well, you're right. It's disgusting. But it is--

- And anyhow, I was gonna give it back as soon as I could!

It was just a short-term loan! I was even gonna pay interest!

- The one who's paying for it is Charles.

- The very least you could do would be to pay his debts.

- Hold it! There's a limit to everything!

- Well, I would accept payment, whatever you've got.

- I'm going to the bank in any case.

- But Maggie! - I'm gonna get my money

out of the account before it's been milked dry.

- But we have to pay a whole bunch of clients back, Maggie!

Please don't do that! I'm sorry! At least give me a chance!

Maggie!

(Julian imitating siren)

- Hey, Maggie! That strike worked out real great.

Is anything wrong?

You weren't laid off too, were you?

(knocking on door) - Come in.

- Wow.

Quite a place you've got.

Business is doing well...

if you can afford to pay the grocery bill.

I hope you didn't pay it

because you're still afraid of going bankrupt.

You needn't to worry, Ben.

Even got a raise coming to you.

I landed the contract. How do you like that?

- It's a bit too late for your damn contract now!

- Hey, hey, hey. What's all this about?

(crying)

- Charles, the telephone!

- Hello? - [This is Madame Carter.]

[I'm calling about my clothes line.]

[You came to repair it, but it's worse than ever!]

[I can't move it at all!]

- Yeah, but don't yell at me about it, Madame Carter.

I'm not even with the company anymore.

- [I don't care about that. My clothes line's jammed.]

[You're not gonna get away with this.]

[I won't stand for it! It's as bad as stealing!]

[I'm reporting you, do you hear?]

- It's not my fault that your clothes line is a mess.

Complain to The Clean Machine and make sure you talk to Ben!

I hope you're happy now, Ben...

- It's a good thing to learn what work really means

at your age. But lately, I'd say you've gotten

completely obsessed with money, son.

There are more important things in life than getting rich.

- You already said that ten times, Dad.

- What was the last book you read anyway?

- When was the last time you went swimming? Hmm?

But now, I warn you,

you have to quit working on your own.

- What am I supposed to do, Dad? Everyone walked out on me!

- If all your friends walked out on you, they had a reason to.

And part of the responsibility for that is yours, too.

So if you can't make up with your friends again, Ben,

you'll have to give up the company. And in that case,

you're the one who'll go bankrupt.

- Come on, Dad, you're not funny.

I tried to explain it to Maggie, but she slammed the door on me.

- That may take time.

But if I were you, I'd start with Charles. Here.

- Charles is liable to kill me if I ever tell him it was me.

- It's better that he finds out from you than from someone else.

Even Charles knows people make mistakes.

You made one, everyone does.

I wouldn't be surprised if Charles made mistakes.

- Charles? You can say that again!

Mistakes...

Hello, I wonder if I might speak to Charles, please. Thank you.

- Charles! It's for you again!

- I don't want to have

anything to do with The Clean Machine! Do you hear?

- Surprise!

- Begin with that one,

and stop as soon as Julian comes on.

Stop.

- Okay, then what?

- Now, you take one of the characters from tape #2...

- Ah, it's Ben.

That's the one you want, right? - Yes, that's right.

Stop. Now, go back a little. Slowly...

- Let's see... There. Just a second now...

- There. That's where I want my effect.

Oh, boy! Is that super!

- You told me that you wanted to make a real documentary.

You wanted to tell the truth.

Don't you think you're twisting truth by the neck a little bit?

- I know. But, Dad, he did a disgusting thing!

- That's what you say.

Don't you think you should tell Ben's side of the story too?

- Well, yeah...

I guess. But would you let me see it once more?

- Mm-hmm.

- Ta-da! Ta-da! Enemy of the people!

Horrible petty bourgeois!

Miserable toad! I shall vindicate those poor souls!

And-- Um... Um...

- And you'll wind up being rebuked by your peers!

- And you'll be wound up with puke in your ears!

- I only wanted you to mow the lawn,

not pull at all my flowers!

- I'm going to pay you, Madame Dorkin.

- You bet. $75. - 60.

- Well, 60. That will do, but...

not one cent less.

- Forty... - Forty.

- Fifty. - Fifty.

Sixty. But don't expect any thanks.

I'm disappointed in you.

(alarm clock)

(sighs)

(clears throat)

- Are you the early bird? - But Dad!

- I want you to get back in bed, young man.

And when you've had eight hours of sleep, then you can begin

with The Clean Machine. - But, Dad!

- You heard me. Now, go on.

- Camera... Action.

- Okay. My name is Chloe, and I work for Mr. Khanh.

I mean, I'm his customer service assistant. Thanks to my job

that I was in a position to help The Clean Machine out.

Well, I made a loan to a shareholder.

- Cut! Perfect, Chloe. That leaves just Charles

and Ben. Then I'm all through. - Hey, I'm coming with you.

'Cause I have business with Charles too.

- Okay. I want you to say that it was Ben who took the money

while I film his reactions. - Okay.

- Charles! I've called you again and again!

Get dressed; we have to go now!

Tell me what's the matter.

A vacation is a time to have fun, it seems to me.

- Oh, I'm having lots of fun.

- No one's forcing you to go back to work at the company

if you're not happy there, son.

I don't think that Ben would mind if you'd tell him,

but you've got to try to explain it to him calmly. Hmm?

But slamming the telephone down on his ear won't help. Hmm?

I heard you said that you were sick to death

of The Clean Machine.

- I guess my vacation's over.

- Well, good! Now, hurry up and get ready.

- I knew he'd call me.

- Hello, this is The Clean Machine.

- ...that we're all busy at work.

We'll call you back as soon as we can.

¶¶¶ (beep)

Hello, Ben. So you're all busy at work, are you?

How have you been? I've been having a ball.

Playing around with my video game and...

Well, I hope you didn't believe me when I said

that I didn't want anything more to do with The Clean Machine.

But anyway, if you need me for anything, call me back.

Yeah, but not tonight though.

I'll be at a wedding tonight. See you.

(whistling)

(humming)

- Simon? My pearls are missing!

Simon!

Do you know where my pearls are?

- What would I do with your pearls anyway?

- For heaven's sake, that's impossible! Where can they be?

Simon! I think someone stole my necklace!

- Really, Denise, we'll find it. Calm down.

(Ding! Dong!)

- Hi. Is Charles here? - He shouldn't be long.

Charles.

Charles?

Charles.

Charles?

- Well, I hope you'll try to be patient; it wasn't our fault...

It was 'cause this mysterious contagious disease

struck the company. (Ding! Dong!)

We will, sure. And we'll call you back.

We will. Okay, goodbye.

(phone rings) Dad!

Will you get the phone? I hear the doorbell!

Hello, Maggie. - Listen, is Charles here?

- Charles? Well, no... - Do you know where he is?

- No, why? - Oh, no... He disappeared!

- Charles' mother is on the phone.

She can't find him at all. Do you know where he is?

- Chucky?

- Well. - He wasn't on my side!

- Not on my side either. Maybe there.

- Yeah. Go see.

- Have you seen Charles? - Charles?

- Yeah. Charles Dorion. - He's about that tall...

He has brown hair and brown eyes.

- No. - Well, thanks anyhow. So long.

- Thanks. Sorry.

- Mmm! Hey, this is mega good stuff, Aunt Jackie.

Just what I wanted.

Needed it to make me forget about the problems at work.

- You have problems at work?

- Oh, yeah. But I wouldn't want to bug you with that.

- No, I'm interested.

Maybe I could give you some advice.

- Oh, yeah?

And maybe you could give me some cash along with it.

- Some money? What for?

- Not much, $40. - Forty?

It seems like a lot to me.

You must've asked your father.

- Well, my dad's with Mom.

They ought to be at the wedding reception.

- And you're in a big hurry, huh?

- Well, as we say in business, Aunt Jackie,

time is money.

- What do you want $40 for?

- I wish I could tell you, but I can't.

That's a professional secret, as we say.

- I suppose so...

I can loan the money to you.

But on my conditions.

As we say in business, you can take it or leave it.

(heavy metal music)

(heavy metal music)

You must be thirsty by now! Would you like some orangeade?

- Charles!

- Charles! What are you doing there?

- Please, God, help me.

- Charles! Don't jump now. Listen to me.

Don't do anything foolish. Just wait a minute, Charles!

Keep cool, man!

- You stay right where you are! - Don't jump now!

It's all going to work out. You'll see, it'll work out.

- Go away, Chloe, it's too late.

- There's Charles' parents, Dad!

- Hey! There's Charles' parents! - There goes Ben! Let's go!

- You can't let money problems get you down!

You can always work those problems out!

- Hey, listen!

You haven't heard the latest news yet.

We know who the real thief was! It was Ben!

- Not Ben! - Yeah, but I think we took the wind out of his sails!

- The dirty rat! Poor, poor Ben!

He's gonna have my death on his conscience.

(tires screeching) - Charles!

Charles! Get down right away.

- It won't be very long now, Mom.

- Oh, Charles! - The window is stuck!

- Where's your ladder? - Hurry!

- Charles, come down before you get hurt!

We shouldn't have sacked you; it was a mistake!

I mean, you're not a thief! I was wrong!

Come back to the company! We need you!

Now, look! Will you stop filming me?

- I forgive you, Ben!

But who is the thief then?

(imitating siren)

- Hey! What is everybody looks so sad about?

He's not more dead than me! - Cut that out!

- Look at Chloe! She even got dressed up for the funeral!

(laughing)

- Take away the ladder or I'll jump!

- Oh, no! For heaven's sake, no!

- Charles, that's enough now! Stop trying to be funny!

- I'm not being funny! If you don't take away

that ladder, I'll jump! - Okay, okay! Calm down!

- Would you mind repeating who's the real thief a bit louder?

- Who is the real thief? The dirty rat who accused me

of stealing in his place!

- Do I absolutely have to say it?

(sighs)

Why don't you come to the office and I'll tell you!

- You have to be the coolest person I know,

you won't even respect my last wish, will you?

- I'm the one who stole it. - (all): Booh! Booh!

- Down with Ben! - Booh, Ben!

- But I was only borrowing! And it was a loan!

I would've paid 10% interest!

- What's all this nonsense about stealing?

In business, my boy,

it never pays to fool around with other people's money.

- That's not what you told me the other day, Dad!

When our company started up, you said, "You should never risk your own money!

Always other people's"! - Well, yes... Yes, but--

- If I risked Mother's necklace, then it was no big deal?

- You took my necklace? Did you take my necklace?

- Now is the time to shoot, so shoot!

- I was following Dad's advice, Mom!

- Is that what you said? - No, no! I never said that!

That's not what I said! He misunderstood me!

- I'm sorry, Mother. I would've gladly repaid you, but now...

- Oh! No, no, no, no! Forget my necklace! Forget it, sweetheart!

Just get down from there! - And me too, Charles.

Just forget every cent you owe me.

The Clean Machine's going to reimburse me.

Aren't you, Ben? - Oh, yeah!

- That's cool. My very last wish was to pay back Chloe.

- I'm gonna go try and do something.

- We'll return your Walkman! - Hey! Hold it, muscle head!

I just got the Walkman! - Have you no heart at all?

It's for the guy's last wish!

- The guy's last wish, my eye!

- As for me, you can have all my contracts! I quit working!

- All right. Come on, Charles!

I'll buy you a chocolate sundae with a strawberry milkshake!

- For my very last wish...

swear to me that you'll keep all your promises.

- We swear it, Charles, we swear it.

- Sure as you can spit?

- (all): As sure as I can spit!

- And you too!

(siren approaching)

- Charles!

- Charles!

- (stammering): This is, like, mega great!

(all bursting out laughing)

- Stop horsing around! This is my last shot.

- Not so fast! - Cut!

(Julian mimicking horn)

- ¶¶ I see the rich people making the scene

¶ But life is more than a smile in a magazine ¶

¶ I see the big spenders on the front page in the press ¶

¶ Writing their problems away with a check ¶

¶ Look at the things that no money can buy ¶

¶ You couldn't pay for the sun to shine in the sky ¶

¶ It makes me mad when I see you this way, come and play ¶

¶ You can afford to take off for a day ¶

¶ Today can go to waste, come and take a taste ¶

¶ Orange soda, having fun, taste it while you're young ¶

¶ Let me see you smile, come and play awhile ¶

¶ Life is more than pounds and pens and dollars, dimes and cents ¶

¶¶¶

¶ Just look at me, I'm as rich as a king ¶

¶ As long as roses are red and the birds still sing ¶

¶ And while you're working away, do you care, millionaire? ¶

¶ You missed a wonderful day we could share ¶

¶ If I were boss of my own company ¶

¶ We would start working at two and go home at three ¶

¶ Then I would take everyone out to lunch, the whole bunch ¶

¶ For orange soda, pizza, hot dogs and punch ¶

¶ Today can go to waste, come and take a taste ¶

¶ Orange soda, having fun, taste it while you're young ¶

¶ Let me see you smile, come and play awhile ¶

¶ Life is more than pounds and pens and dollars, dimes and cents ¶

¶¶¶

¶¶¶

¶ Just look at me, I'm as rich as a king ¶

¶ As long as roses are red and the birds still sing ¶

¶ And while you're working away do you care, millionaire? ¶

¶ You missed a wonderful day we could share ¶

¶ I see the rich people making the scene ¶

¶ But life is more than a smile in a magazine ¶

¶ I see the big spenders on the front page in the press ¶

¶ Writing their problems away with a check ¶

¶ But you can tell your ladies and gents ¶

¶ One thing a good friend never forgets ¶

¶ That life is more than dollars and cents ¶¶