:20:00
- Here he comes.
- Good.
:20:05
The first order of business will be
electing a new chairman of the board.
:20:10
As a sentimental gesture toward
the best friend that opera ever had--
:20:13
the late Mr. Semple--
:20:15
l think it only fitting that his nephew,
Mr. Longfellow Deeds...
:20:18
should be made our next chairman.
:20:20
- l therefore nominate him.
- Seconded.
:20:22
- All those in favor?
- Aye!
:20:25
Carried.
:20:27
Our congratulations, Mr. Deeds.
:20:29
- I'm chairman?
- Yes. You've just been elected.
:20:32
- I'm chairman!
- Happy voyage.
:20:35
Right here, Mr. Deeds.
:20:40
Now, the next order of business--
the reading of the secretary's minutes.
:20:43
- Move we dispense with it.
- Seconded.
:20:45
- All in favor?
- Aye!
:20:47
l think they can be
dispensed with.
:20:49
-We're ready for the treasurer's report.
-Move we dispense with it.
:20:52
- Seconded.
- All in favor.
:20:54
Quite right. Now, gentlemen,
the next order of business--
:20:57
Just a minute.
What does the chairman do?
:21:01
Well, the chairman
presides the meeting.
:21:03
That's what l thought.
:21:05
But, if you don't mind, I'm rather
interested in the treasurer's report.
:21:15
The treasurer reports a deficit
of $180,000 for the current year.
:21:19
A deficit?
You mean we lost that much?
:21:22
You see, Mr. Deeds, the opera
is not conducted for profit.
:21:26
It isn't?
What is it conducted for?
:21:28
It's an artistic institution.
:21:31
- We own an opera house, don't we?
- We do.
:21:33
- And we give shows?
- We provide opera.
:21:37
But you charge--
l mean, you sell tickets?
:21:39
- Of course.
- And it doesn't pay?
:21:41
Impossible.
The opera has never paid.
:21:43
Well, then, we must give
the wrong kind of shows.
:21:46
There isn't any wrong or right kind.
Opera is opera.
:21:50
l guess, but I wouldn't care to be head
of a business that kept losing money.
:21:55
That wouldn't be common sense.
:21:56
Incidentally, where is
the $180,000 coming from?