- Nora Shelley: You want to see me?
- Paul Martin: Yes. Sit down, Miss Shelley.
- Nora Shelley: Oh, gladly. Ahhh, what a day!
- Paul Martin: When are you planning on opening your own office, Miss Shelley?
- Nora Shelley: What gives you that idea?
- Paul Martin: Oh, certain things I've noticed.
- Nora Shelley: What things?
- Paul Martin: Things that make me believe that you're going into business for yourself.
- Nora Shelley: What are you talking about?
- Paul Martin: Well, that's what they all do: they work here a year, grab a few clients by deceit and treachery and then open offices of their own.
- Nora Shelley: I've had much too hard a day to sit here and listen to silly accusations.
- Paul Martin: Well, just a moment. You take home my personal files to study, you cultivate extremely friendly relations with my best clients - relationships beyond the call of duty. Why? Why do you keep the best clients and manoeuvre me into the ladies' department? I want answers to all those questions.
- Nora Shelley: I see. Well, I guess I've been caught.
- Paul Martin: Caught? So...
- Nora Shelley: Mr. Martin, everybody has a right to think of their future.
- Paul Martin: But that's dirty pool; stealing my best clients.
- Nora Shelley: Steal'...? I'm not going to steal anything. I'm going to marry one of them!
- Paul Martin: Marry? Which one?
- Nora Shelley: Well, I haven't made up my mind yet. Aw, don't you see, that's the reason I wanted this job. I'll be able to pick a man I know all about.
- Paul Martin: What are you talking about? You're not going to get married and give up your career?
- Nora Shelley: Well, that's the maiden's prayer. Mr Martin, I can tell from a man's tax report whether he's married or single. Now if he's single, how he makes his money...
- Paul Martin: I've already given you two big raises in the last three months, you're free, you're independent and your idea's crazy.
- Nora Shelley: Crazy? Why? I can tell all about a man from his tax files. Now look, I can tell whether he's healthy, or always going to a doctor; whether he has a boat or a farm in the country or a box at the opera; if he likes the races or the theater; where he lives; what his friends are like; whether he buys flowers or diamond bracelets. Oh, I'm perfectly frank about it, Mr Martin, I'm looking for my husband in here
- [taps files]
- Paul Martin: [he puts his arm round her shoulder] Let's talk man to man...
- Paul Martin: It's impossible to tell what any man is like from a set of figures. You can't add up a bunch of numbers and marry the total.
- Steve Adams: But I'm sure that this junior in your office here can handle it much better.
- Nora Shelley: Oh, no, Mr. Adams. Now that I've seen your tax picture more clearly, I think I'll handle you myself.
- Steve Adams: You do? Oh, but you're so busy, these corporations.
- Nora Shelley: Oh, there's always room for one more.
- Sarah: I'd be a little suspicious about a guy that took me to a concert.
- Nora Shelley: Well, what's the matter with concerts?
- Sarah: Sound kinda cheap to me. Them concerts are loaded with free passes. Even piccolo players get stacks like that.
- [She gestures a large stack in one hand]
- Sarah: .
- Nora Shelley: Sarah, I don't think he knows a piccolo player.
- Nora Shelley: You don't seem to understand. I want a home. I've wanted one since I was a child. I lived in 19 countries before I was 21 years old.
- Paul Martin: Restless, weren't you?
- Nora Shelley: My father was. He was in the oil business - a wild-cater. After mother died, we went to Syria, then Egypt, China, Venezuela - living in tents in the desert, in jungles, in oil towns. Then after that, the war. Another cook's tour. More tents, barracks, Quonset huts. Believe me, Mr. Martin, I'll make a very good wife. I'd really appreciate a home and a husband.
- Paul Martin: But you're going about it the wrong way.
- Steve Adams: [to his chauffeur:] Edward!
- Chauffeur: Yes, sir?
- Steve Adams: The Abdullanah Club.
- Chauffeur: Very well, sir.
- Nora Shelley: The Abdullanah Club? I don't think I've ever heard of it.
- Steve Adams: Not many people have.
- Nora Shelley: You must know some fascinating things about the ancient civilizations.
- Steve Adams: Some things I know fascinate me.
- Nora Shelley: I'm sure they would me too. I, I , uhm, trying to think of that famous head, uh, some queen. I saw it in Berlin. They're trying to get it back to Cairo.
- Steve Adams: Nefertiti.
- Nora Shelley: Oh, it's beautiful.
- Steve Adams: Yes, it is.
- Nora Shelley: So royal, so queeny. This is an irreversible trust, isn't it Mr. Adams?
- Steve Adams: You mean uh? Yes, to me, and my family.
- Nora Shelley: Of which there is none.
- Steve Adams: That's right.
- Nora Shelley: Oh, yours must be a wonderful life.
- Steve Adams: A little dull, perhaps.
- Sarah: I like a man that makes a little investment in the date. If I'm gonna spend my time with him, he's gonna hafta spend a little somethin' too.
- Paul Martin: No, she's a dish. Really, a dish. As a matter of fact, she just thinks she has an adding machine for a heart.
- Nora Shelley: You're not a married man, but perhaps you're planning on it?
- Steve Adams: No. No plans. I, I'm quite content with my work, my books and music, and a night on the town now and then.
- Paul Martin: Good morning, Gentry. Sorry I'm a little late.
- Gentry: You're two days late. I bet you 5 to 1 that Miss Shelley would last three months. It's three months and four days, sir.
- Paul Martin: Fine. What price would you give me if she wouldn't last a year?
- Gentry: 10 to 1
- Paul Martin: I'll pay that too, in advance - and with pleasure.
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