Calvin Clifford (C. C.) "Bud" Baxter quotes from The Apartment (1960)

On November 1, 1959, the population of New York City was 8,042,783. If you laid all these people end to end, figuring an average height of five feet six and a half inches, they would reach from Times Square to the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan. I know facts like this because I work for an insurance company - Consolidated Life of New York. We're one of the top five companies in the country. Our home office has 31,259 employees, which is more than the entire population of uhh... Natchez, Mississippi. I work on the 19th floor. Ordinary Policy Department, Premium Accounting Division, Section W, desk number 861.

As for myself, I very often stay on at the office and work for an extra hour or two, especially when the weather is bad. It's not that I'm overly ambitious, it's just a way of killing time, until it's all right for me to go home. You see, I have this little problem with my apartment...I live in the West Sixties, just half a block from Central Park. My rent is $85 a month. It used to be eighty until last July when Mrs. Lieberman (Frances Lax), the landlady, put in a second-hand air conditioning unit. It's a real nice apartment - nothing fancy - but kind of cozy - just right for a bachelor. The only problem is - I can't always get in when I want to.

Fran

I never catch colds.

Really. I was reading some figures from the Sickness and Accident Claims Division. You know that the average New Yorker between the ages of twenty and fifty has two and a half colds a year?

Fran

That makes me feel just terrible.

Why?

Fran

Well, to make the figures come out even, if I have no colds a year, some poor slob must have five colds a year.

Yeah... it's me.

Sheldrake

Tell me, Baxter -- just what is it that makes you so popular?

I don't know.

Sheldrake

Think.

Would you mind repeating the question?

Sheldrake

Look, Baxter, I'm not stupid. I know everything that goes on in this building -- in every department -- on every floor -- every day of the year.

You do?
...

Sheldrake

What kind of joint are you running?

Sir?

Sheldrake

There's a certain key floating around the office -- from Kirkeby to Vanderhof to Eichelberger to Dobisch -- it's the key to a certain apartment -- and you know who that apartment belongs to?

Who?

Sheldrake

Loyal, cooperative, resourceful C. C. Baxter.

Sheldrake

Baxter, an insurance company is founded on public trust. Any employee who conducts himself in a manner unbecoming...How many charter members are there in this little club of yours?

Just those four - out of a total of 31,259 - so actually, we can be very proud of our personnel - percentage-wise.

Sheldrake

That's not the point. Four rotten apples in a barrel - no matter how large the barrel - you realize that if this ever leaked out...

Oh, it won't. Believe me. And it's not going to happen again. From now on, nobody is going to use my apartment.
...

Sheldrake

Now remember, Baxter - this is going to be our little secret.

Yes, of course.

Sheldrake

You know how people talk.

Oh, you don't have to worry.

Sheldrake

Not that I have anything to hide.

Oh, no sir. Certainly not. Anyway, it's none of my business - four apples, five apples - what's the difference - percentage-wise?

Sheldrake

You know, you see a girl a couple of times a week, just for laughs, and right away, they think you're gonna divorce your wife. Now I ask you - is that fair?

No, sir, it's very unfair, especially to your wife.

Well, as a matter of fact, I was rather hurt that night you stood me up.

Fran

I don't blame you, it was unforgivable.

I forgive you.

Fran

Well, you shouldn't.

You couldn't help yourself. I mean, when you're having a drink with one man, you can't suddenly walk out on him because you're having another date with another man. You did the only decent thing.

Fran

I wouldn't be too sure. Just because I wear a uniform, that doesn't make me a Girl Scout.

Miss Kubelik, one doesn't get to be a second administrative assistant around here unless he's a pretty good judge of character, and as far as I'm concerned, you're tops, I mean, decency-wise, and otherwise-wise.

The mirror... It's broken.

Fran

Yes, I know. I like it that way. Makes me look the way I feel.

Fran

Would you mind opening the window?

Now don't go getting any ideas, Miss Kubelik.

Fran

I just want some fresh air.

It's only one story down. The best you can do is break a leg.

Fran

So they'll shoot me - like a horse.

Please, Miss Kubelik, you got to promise me you won't do anything foolish.

Fran

Who'd care?

I would.

Fran

Why can't I ever fall in love with somebody nice like you?

Yeah, well, that's the way it crumbles, cookie-wise.

Fran

Shall I light the candles?

It's a must! Gracious-living-wise.

I've got good news for you. All your troubles are over. I'm gonna take Miss Kubelik off your hands. The plain fact is, I-I love her. I haven't told her yet, I thought you should be the first to know. After all, you don't really want her, and I do, and although it may sound presumptuous, she needs somebody like me. So I think it would be the best thing all around - solution-wise.

Sheldrake

I've got good news for you, Baxter. All your troubles are over...I know how worried you were about Miss Kubelik. Well, stop worrying. I'm going to take her off your hands.

You're not gonna bring anybody to my apartment.

Sheldrake

I'm not just bringing anybody. I'm bringing Miss Kubelik.

Especially not Miss Kubelik.

Sheldrake

How's that again?

No key.

Sheldrake

Baxter, I picked you for my team because I thought you were a very bright young man. You realize what you're doing? Not to me, but to yourself. Normally, it takes years to work your way up to the 27th floor, but it only takes 30 seconds to be out on the street again. You dig?

I dig.

Sheldrake

So what's it going to be? [Bud reaches into his pocket for a key and drops it on the desk] Now you're being bright.

Thank you, sir.

Sheldrake

Say, Baxter, you gave me the wrong key.

No, I didn't.

Sheldrake

But this is the key to the executive washroom.

That's right, Mr. Sheldrake. I won't be needing it, because I'm all washed up around here.

Sheldrake

What's gotten into you, Baxter?

Just following doctor's orders. I've decided to become a mensch. You know what that means? A human being.

Sheldrake

Now hold on, Baxter.

Save it. The old payola won't work anymore. Goodbye, Mr. Sheldrake.

What about Mr. Sheldrake?

Fran

We'll send him a fruit cake every Christmas.

I love you, Miss Kubelik...Did you hear what I said, Miss Kubelik? I absolutely adore you.

Fran

Shut up and deal!