Ede Szigligeti, actor, director, dramaturg, excellent stage author, was the director of the National Theater when his conductor approached him in his office.
"Mr. Director!" I am in desperate need of a new double bass.
"Then how much would that essential double bass cost?"
"We can't get a good one for less than HUF six hundred a year."
"Is it directly necessary?"
"Like a bite of bread."
"If, let's say, I raise your salary by three hundred forints, would you still need that bassist so badly?"
"Well, Mr. Director, then... then it's not really that necessary."
"Well, look, my little brother." Then we won't sign a new double bass.
"No, Mr. Director." But... how about my salary increase now?
"No way." That is just as little needed as the double bass.
(from the collections of Béla Tóth and Károly Szalay)
(Cover image source: Music Instrument Museum Arizona)
