Margaret Sullavan: Klara Novak

The Shop Around the Corner

Klara Novak

Alfred Kralik: There might be a lot we don't know about each other. You know, people seldom go to the trouble of scratching the surface of things to find the inner truth.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Well I really wouldn't care to scratch your surface, Mr. Kralik, because I know exactly what I'd find. Instead of a heart, a hand-bag. Instead of a soul, a suitcase. And instead of an intellect, a cigarette lighter... which doesn't work.

[Alfred Kralik has just disclosed to Klara Novak that he is her anonymous pen pal]
Alfred Kralik: Are you disappointed?
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Psychologically, I'm very confused... But personally, I don't feel bad at all.

Klara Novak (Miss Novak): All my knowledge came from books, and I'd just finished a novel about a glamorous French actress from the Comedie Francaise. That's the theater in France. When she wanted to arouse a man's interest, she treated him like a dog.
Alfred Kralik: Yes, well, you treated me like a dog.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Yes, but instead of licking my hand, you barked.

Klara Novak (Miss Novak): [In her letter to Alfred] : Oh, my Dear Friend, my heart was trembling as I walked into the post office, and there you were, lying in Box 237. I took you out of your envelope and read you, read you right there.

Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Mr. Kralik, are you still here? Are you deliberately trying to spoil my evening? Why do you want to do me harm? Why do you hate me so?
Alfred Kralik: I don't hate you.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Oh, I suppose you love me.
Alfred Kralik: No, why should I? What have you done to make me love you?
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Well I don't want you to love me!
Alfred Kralik: I don't!

Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Do you mind if I tell you something?
Alfred Kralik: No, not at all.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Well, when I first came to work here, something very strange happened to me. I got psychologically mixed up.
Alfred Kralik: You don't say.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Yes. I found myself looking at you again and again. I just couldn't take my eyes off you.
Alfred Kralik: Oh.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Mmhmm. And all the time I kept saying to myself, "Klara Novak, what on Earth is the matter with you? This Kralik is not a particularly attractive type of man." I hope you don't mind.
Alfred Kralik: No, not at all.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Now here comes the paradox. I found myself falling for you!
Alfred Kralik: I can't believe it.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Yes, Mr. Kralik, and very much so!
Alfred Kralik: You certainly didn't show it.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Listen, in those first few weeks... Well, I hope you don't misconstrue what I'm going to say to you. After all, I'm very happily engaged. At least it looks that way.
Alfred Kralik: Yes, well go on.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Oh, in those first few weeks, there were moments in the stock room when you could have swept me off my feet.
Alfred Kralik: [pause] Now I'M getting psychologically mixed up.

Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Mr. Kralik, it's true we're in the same room, but we're not in the same planet.
Alfred Kralik: Why Miss Novak, although I'm the victim of your remark, I can't help admiring the exquisite way you have of expressing yourself. You certainly know how to put a man in his planet.

Alfred Kralik: Now let me tell you something, Miss Novak: You may have very beautiful thoughts, but you certainly hide them. As far as your actions are concerned, you're cold and snippy like an old maid. And you're gonna have a tough time getting a man to fall in love with you.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): I, an old maid? So, no man could fall in love with me. Really, Mr. Kralik you're getting funnier every minute. Why, I could show you letters that would open your eyes. No, I guess not, you probably wouldn't understand what's in them. They're written by a type of man so far superior to you that it isn't even funny. Ha! I have to laugh when I think of you calling me an old maid. You! You little insignificant clerk.

Klara Novak (Miss Novak): It's my fault anyway that you got into this trouble. Please believe me, I'm sorry, too.
Alfred Kralik: That's all right.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): It's true we didn't get along.
Alfred Kralik: No.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): I guess we fought a lot. But losing a job at a time like this is something you don't wish...
Alfred Kralik: On your worst enemy.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): I didn't say that, Mr. Kralik.
Alfred Kralik: Well, let's not quarrel anymore.

Hugo Matuschek: I don't know what the difficulty is, but I can assure you, madam, that the word "impossible" is not in the vocabulary of Matuschek and Company.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): I'm so happy to hear you say that.
Hugo Matuschek: Yes, and I mean it.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Mr. Matuschek?
Hugo Matuschek: Yes, madam?
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): I was at Blasek and Company...
Hugo Matuschek: Oh, madam, I'm sure you'll find much nicer things in my shop.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Oh no, I mean I worked there. I'm looking for a job.
Hugo Matuschek: Oh no, no, that's impossible! It's out of the question!

Alfred Kralik: You know, Christmas is coming soon and we're certainly going to miss a good, little worker like you in the shop. So, you better get well.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): I'm sure I'll be alright in a day or two.
Alfred Kralik: But that doesn't mean that you should neglect yourself. Now, I - I'm very serious about this... because, I - I feel more or less responsible for the whole thing.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): You?
Alfred Kralik: Yes, I...
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Oh, no, Mr. Kralik. Oh, no. I think I can relieve your mind, it wasn't your fault at all. No, there's a much bigger reason, unfortunately.
Alfred Kralik: Well, don't you think you oughta call a doctor?
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): No, I don't need to see a doctor. No, my trouble is what one might call... psychological.
Alfred Kralik: Oh. Uh-huh.
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Well, it's my own personal problem and I'll come out of it.
Alfred Kralik: Oh, I'm sorry. It's... it's a shame you have to go through all this. Of course, as long as it's only psychological, you won't...
Klara Novak (Miss Novak): Only psychological! Mt. Kralik, it's true we're in the same room but we're not in the same planet.