A (F. Haby/ Hairdresser]: Come on in! Francois Haby, hairdresser of the Kaiser at your service! B [customer]: My pleasure! As you may see, my hair and beard need your experienced care. And my compliments for your new salon! A: Yes, this is the state of the art: modern design by Henry Van der Velde. [Sighs enthusiastically]: Art Nouveau! The furnishings are all Mahogany! There’s marble wash basins, brass pipes for water and gas and even gold-plated taps: Every detail just fits, it’s light and airy. Please take a seat! [Noises: Chair is moved, someone sits down] May I recommend one of my products? Try our beard pomade, it’s called "Golly, impeccable!"? Or would you like a fresh coffee from a special beard cup? It helps to keep your beard in perfect shape, just like the Kaisers’! B: Thanks, not for now. I’ve just been to downtown Berlin. You can’t imagine how the people live there! Hairstyles are their least concern. They are cramped together, some live in cellars and attics. The pubs are crowded because the apartments are so desolate. The Poverty is frightening. A: [has only half listened and does not want to discuss poverty in any detail, so he answers in a slightly bored, small talk was, intended to convey something like yeah, well, it doesn't matter and I don’t really care] Well, Berlin is a city of contradictions. But that’s just the way it is.