Manuela & Alois B

Alois
Manuela! There's something I must discuss with you.

Manuela
Alois, hello. You're looking more serious than usual. Is everything OK?

Alois
I'm in dire straits. Can you help me think of a gift for my daughter?

Alois
Her birthday's just around the corner, and I can't think of anything to send her.

Alois
Frankly, though I've sent her some wonderful gifts over the years, she never seems too excited about them.

Alois
So, this year, I want to send her something special. Something that she'll gush about!

Manuela
I wouldn't know the first thing about buying a gift for a child, never having had one myself.

Manuela
Now, I must ask you to leave the infirmary. I need to make room for sick and injured patients, who I am sure will arrive at any moment.

Alois
Oh, please, have a heart! Can't you help me at all? This is an emergency!

Alois
I've been racking my brain. I have no idea what she might like, and time's running out.

Alois
I thought that a young woman such as yourself might be able to help.

Manuela
Young? D—did you just call me... Oh! Could you repeat that? Please?

Alois
Ah, of course! Anything for a young, charming beauty such as yourself!

Alois
I can think of none worthier of that description!

Manuela
Well, your quite astute observations have inspired me.

Manuela
So, let's discuss your daughter's birthday gift.

Alois
Oh, thank you! In that case, will you come shopping with me when you're done for the day?

Manuela
Very well. Now, let's begin with the simplest question. What does your daughter enjoy?

Manuela
What kind of gifts have you given her for previous birthdays?

Alois
Well, for the past few years, I've been sending her ancient coins.

Manuela
Excuse me?

Alois
Coins, I said, from ancient civilizations! I've been diligently collecting them and passing them on.

Alois
They're precious and historically significant! The makings of a great gift, don't you think?

Manuela
...

Alois
Is something wrong? Oh. You don't think an ancient coin is much of a present, I take it.

Manuela
I'm sure that, for the right person, such a gift would be exquisite.

Manuela
You know what, Alois? Don't you fret. I'll think of something that will make your daughter happy, and make up for all of your other gifts!