The Marx Brothers
Duck Soup - Secretary Of War

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Firefly ponders a riddle Chicolini has asked him.

The Setup: Chicolini (Chico) has been employed by Trentino (Louis Calhern), along with Pinky (Harpo) to spy on Firefly (Groucho). Posing as a peanut vendor, Chicolini gains the attention of Firefly, who calls him into his office... (Note: all links in the text point to sound clips in Windows WAV format.)

Chicolini: Peanuts!

Firefly: Hey! (Chicolini tosses him a bag of peanuts, which he catches) Do you wanna be a public nuisance?

Chicolini: Sure. How much does the job pay?

Firefly: I've got a good mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it.

Chicolini: Peanuts...to you!

Firefly: Have you got a license?

Chicolini: License? No, butta my dog, he's gotta millions of 'em. Believe me, he's some smart dog. You know he went with Admiral Byrd to the Pole?

Firefly: I'll bet the dog got to the Pole first.

Chicolini: You win.

Firefly: C'mon up here...I wanna scare the cabinet.

(Chicolini comes up to Firefly's office. The phone rings and Chicolini answers)

Chicolini: Hello? Hello? No. No, he's not in. Alright, I tell 'im. Good bye. (Hangs up phone) That was for you.

Firefly: I'm sorry I'm not in. I wanted to have a long talk with you. Now listen here...You give up that silly peanut stand, and I'll give you a soft government job. Now, let's see...How would you like a job in the mint?

Chicolini: Mint? Ah, no. I no like-a mint. Ah, what other flavor you got? (Phone rings and Chicolini answers) Hello? No, not yet. Alright, I tell 'im. Good bye. Thank you. (Hangs up phone) That was for you again.

Firefly: I wonder whatever became of me? I should've been back here a long time ago. Now listen here...I've got a swell job for you, but first I'll have to ask you a couple of important questions...Now what is it that has four pair of pants, lives in Philadelphia, and it never rains but it pours?

Chicolini: At'sa good one, I give you three guesses.

Firefly: (Thinks) Now lemme see...Has four pair of pants, lives in Philadelphia...Is it male of female?

Chicolini: No, I no think so.

Firefly: Is he dead?

Chicolini: Who?

Firefly: I don't know...I give up.

Chicolini: I give up too. Now, I ask you another one...What is it got big blacka mustache, smokes a big black cigar, and he's a big pain in the neck?

Firefly: Now don't tell me...Has a big black mustache...Smokes a big black cigar...And is a big pain in the...(pauses) Does he wear glasses?

Chicolini: At's right. You guess it quick!

Firefly: Just for that, you don't get the job I was gonna give you!

Chicolini: What job?

Firefly: Secretary of War.

Chicolini: Alright, I take it!

Firefly: Sold!


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(This page was originally created by Frank Bland for his 'Why A Duck?' website)

This site uses material originally created by Frank Bland for his website Why A Duck?. Frank did kindly give me permission to use this material.

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