KURT
The tango has many strict rules. It’s a slow dance of passion and ultimate death.
MOTHER
And rule one is - there is no malarkey.
KURT
I don’t understand the word, ‘malarkey’.
MOTHER
I’ll put it in ordinary words: there’ll be no shenanigans.
KURT
‘Shenanigans’?
MOTHER
Hanky-panky. Kurt studies her.
KURT
I am having trouble with ‘hanky panky’ ... Studies her again.
KURT
But you are my London ‘arr’.
MOTHER
Ah, there you are wrong. I’m not your London ‘arr’.
KURT
And I keep in my car a seat empty for you, that is – I say if I had a car. You’d be my ‘wantee’.
MOTHER
Translate for me.
KURT
My ‘wantee’ is someone special who I want all the time.
MOTHER
Nor am I your ‘wantee’!
KURT
May I call you ‘Mutti’ -?
MOTHER
Call me what you like, But keep it in German, and there will be no, no über doings!
xxxiv