:19:02
We're very fortunate the young man
is so sympathetic toward music.
:19:06
He plays the tuba in the town band.
:19:10
- Here he comes.
- Good.
:19:14
The first order of business will be
electing a new chairman of the board.
:19:19
As a gesture toward the best friend that
opera ever had, the late Mr Semple,
:19:24
it's fitting his nephew, Longfellow Deeds,
be made our next chairman.
:19:28
- I therefore nominate him.
- Seconded.
:19:31
- All those in favour?
- Aye!
:19:33
Carried.
Our congratulations, Mr Deeds.
:19:37
- I'm chairman?
- Yes. You've just been elected.
:19:40
- I'm chairman!
- Happy voyage.
:19:43
Right here, Mr Deeds.
:19:48
- Next, the secretary's minutes.
- Move we dispense with it.
:19:52
- Seconded.
- All in favour?
:19:54
- Aye!
- I think they can be dispensed with.
:19:56
- Now, the treasurer's report.
- Dispense with it.
:19:59
- Seconded.
- All in favour?
:19:59
Quite right. Now, gentlemen,
the next order of business...
:20:01
Just a minute.
What does the chairman do?
:20:05
Well, the chairman
presides the meeting.
:20:08
That's what I thought.
:20:10
But, if you don't mind, I'm rather
interested in the treasurer's report.
:20:12
The treasurer reports a deficit
of $180,000 for the current year.
:20:22
A deficit? We lost that much?
:20:26
You see, Mr Deeds, the opera
is not conducted for profit.
:20:28
- It isn't? What is it conducted for?
- It's an artistic institution.
:20:32
- We own an opera house, don't we?
- We do.
:20:36
- And we give shows?
- We provide opera.
:20:39
- But you charge? You sell tickets?
- Of course.
:20:42
- And it doesn't pay?
- Impossible. The opera has never paid.
:20:45
Well, we must give
the wrong kind of shows.
:20:49
There isn't any wrong or right kind.
Opera is opera.
:20:51
I guess, but I wouldn't care to be head
of a business that kept losing money.
:20:55
That's not common sense. Incidentally,
where is the $180,000 coming from?