The Gilded Age (2022) s03e01 Episode Script
Who Is in Charge Here
1
[TV STATIC DRONES]
[BRIGHT TONE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[CARRIAGE RUMBLING]
♪
[CHATTER]
[HORSE WHINNYING]
Good to see you, Wilbur.
♪
Welcome to Morenci, Mr. Russell.
Thank you.
I hope you're ready for all of this.
Have you brought your riding clothes?
Of course.
I'm looking forward to seeing
you on a bucking bronco.
[LAUGHTER]
♪
Inside.
All right.
All right.
Back to work, back to work.
Mr. Church?
Yeah.
Has there ever been snow
this close to spring?
I agree.
I was expecting
cherry blossom, not this.
What's all the activity?
The mistress has planned
a temperance meeting,
but I can't imagine there'll
be many guests in this weather.
Mrs. Van Rhijn is
a temperance activist?
Not quite.
I was referring to Mrs. Forte.
But you said mistress.
Yes.
We've had some changes.
Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.
I should have lit the fire earlier.
Well, it's supposed
to be the start of spring.
It won't last long.
Well, you're all dressed up.
Our temperance meeting is today.
Must we keep allowing the frozen tundra
wind into my home, if I
can still call it that?
We need to set up.
You can't mean to sponsor
this absurd meeting now.
It's nearly a blizzard.
Surely your merry band of
teetotalers will stay home.
I doubt it.
Temperance is a cause to
which we are all committed.
To which we are all committed now.
But weren't you committed
to the Charity Organization Society?
Well, yes, I was.
And before that, hadn't someone
cornered you about the
settlement house movement?
That's true.
But I've been convinced that temperance
can bring unique
improvements to our society.
So make a donation
from your newfound fortune
and cancel this gathering.
They will understand.
I am making a donation, in addition
to holding the meeting here.
Alcohol is the scourge
of many families.
And I want to support causes that
are close to my heart as a
way to honor Luke's memory.
You think invoking your late
husband's name will silence me?
It won't. Luke drank wine.
And he served it to thousands
at communion, just like Jesus.
Find a cause he would have cared about.
The point is Luke's
ministry was important to him.
And I want to continue
his legacy by doing works
that are important to me.
[SIGHS]
And if it displeases you,
Agnes, then
Then what?
Then too bad.
I've tried mourning in silence,
and it nearly killed me.
There were nights I went to bed
and prayed not to wake up.
This gives me a purpose.
And I believe it would make Luke proud.
Had he cared about money, we'd have
lived a very different life.
But he cared about people.
And I will, too.
Oh.
Good day, sir.
I wish you wouldn't do this.
Are the trains across
the bridge even running?
There are no cabs.
I must get back to 61st Street.
I promised Mrs. Forte I'd help her
with the temperance meeting.
Your mother shouldn't
have kept you last night.
You'd already be there,
safe and dry, if she hadn't.
You'll catch your death
walking to the station.
You don't think that's
a little pessimistic?
I'm going with her, Dorothy.
Well done on the news.
Thank you.
I knew it was big
when I saw the envelope.
Have you told Mrs. Van Rhijn?
How, when I only opened it last night?
- [LAUGHS]
- All right.
Fine.
Be safe.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm.
I want fires in every room down here
and in all the passages.
They are not to be allowed to go out.
Very good, ma'am.
Mr. Sargent comes at
3:00 for the sitting.
It is your responsibility
to make sure he gets here.
Send the carriage, send the sleigh,
send the seventh regiment
if you have to, but make
sure he's here by 3:00.
Yes, ma'am.
I think he'll find he
has everything he needs.
Good, it must be finished
by the time His Grace arrives.
But don't mention that
to Miss Gladys or Mr. Larry,
or anyone in the household.
I understand, ma'am.
Larry and I are going
for a walk to see the snow.
Why? And where is Larry?
Here I am.
I said we want to see the snow.
If you must go, be careful.
Nothing can go wrong, not now.
What's so special about now?
Nothing.
And don't be late for luncheon.
Your sitting is at 3:00.
♪
He's down there.
Gladys!
Billy.
I'm surprised she let you come.
Only just, she was
frightened by the snow.
[LAUGHS]
These days, she seems
nervous if I leave the house.
I suppose she doesn't want anything
to interfere with her plans.
My chief ambition
in life is to interfere
with your mother's plans.
Will I see you tonight?
Did Mrs. Fish give you the message?
She did, and I'll try to be there.
Wouldn't it be simpler
if I speak to your father
as soon as he's back?
As long as you're sure.
Of course.
I can't wait for you to be my wife.
But are you sure?
I love you.
And that makes me sure.
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona,
he's not expected back for weeks.
What's he doing out there?
He's set on a major expansion
of his railroads, all the way
to California, maybe even Mexico.
I can't quite imagine
Mr. Russell in the Wild West.
I don't know.
He's a pretty sharp shooter
when he wants to be.
He's out in the desert,
and here we are in what
feels like the North Pole.
Will I see you at the opera tonight?
It's too soon for us to
be seen together in public.
It's been months.
Yes.
Because it's only months since I
broke off my engagement to Dashiell.
I've failed at it twice.
Well, this time you'll succeed.
I envy your certainty.
I wish you shared it.
I want to.
I just can't handle scrutiny quite yet.
You must understand, with all
the rumors surrounding Gladys's
engagement to the Duke?
It's my mother's wish,
but it's not what Gladys wants.
We'll see.
And until we do, we'll face
whatever comes together.
But please, don't
make me wait too long.
I wish I could kiss you right now.
Restrain yourself, Mr. Russell.
All in good time.
[LAUGHTER]
Will that make Mrs. Russell happy?
No.
But father won't mind.
I'd better go see what
Gladys has promised him now.
Miss Brook.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
Gladys.
Whoa!
[HORSE WHINNYING]
Where is this man?
Is he late or are we early?
And why is he so important?
John Ranger's our middleman.
They found him in Tucson.
He'll arrange for us
to meet the miners.
I want this done and done quickly.
I'm still not convinced
it's worth the risk.
You can make money
without much trouble.
Why not just allow yourself
to do that and live well?
You're not seeing the big picture.
Fast freight is the future.
And our route, with one line
from New York to Chicago,
and the Southern route
from Chicago to Los Angeles,
will be the fastest way
to get across the country.
When it's running, we can
charge a huge premium.
And with the grants
and subsidies on offer,
we can offset more than
half the cost to build it.
Maybe, but you'll have to
risk an enormous amount of cash
before you get to that point,
if you ever get to that point.
I'd rather have palaces
in New York and Newport
and live without Jay Gould
breathing down my neck.
He'd be breathing down my neck anyway.
What about the copper?
Forget the copper.
You've read the metallurgist report.
We need the land for the railway.
Why not just go around the mines?
We'd have to build
hundreds of miles of track
through the mountains.
We may do something with
the mines at some point.
Right now, just get me the land.
The owners have been
scrabbling for a living
for as long as they can remember.
So it shouldn't take much.
Let them rent back
the mines if they want.
But make sure we own them first.
Mr. Russell.
Ranger!
I'm so glad you could join us.
They cabled you were coming today.
How was New Mexico?
Good.
Please.
So tell me, will they sell?
And who should we approach first?
It's more complicated.
The local mine owners, or most of them,
want to see you together.
I set up a meeting for Friday evening.
I don't want to meet a
bunch of stupid clodhoppers
all at once.
I prefer to pick them off one by one.
They may be clodhoppers,
but they're not stupid.
They know their copper mines will
be the biggest thing in the
state if you're involved.
Well, don't give them any leverage.
The land matters.
The mines don't.
You were so scared.
I was not.
I was not.
Did you have a good time?
Oh, yes.
Though it seems so late for snow
when spring is almost upon us.
But you had a nice walk?
More of a slide than
a walk, but we did.
I feel quite invigorated.
I shall take that as a compliment,
seeing as I pushed you into it.
[LAUGHS]
Mr. Sargent is here.
She'll ring for tea in an hour or so.
And I think you should
have a look at this.
Someone must be looking for me.
He asked me to confirm
that you worked here.
I suppose it's bad news.
Why do you say that?
This kind of a thing usually is.
Oh.
What are you bringing
those back down for?
Put them on the
credenza for Mrs. Forte's
temperance meeting.
I did, but as I was
setting it out, Mrs. Van Rhijn
said she didn't want her
silver used for the meeting.
What should I do?
Well, it's Mrs. Van Rhijn's silver.
But Mrs. Forte pays our wages.
We cannot serve two masters.
But we do.
All right.
I'll speak to both Mrs. Forte
and Mrs. Van Rhijn.
And you'll get two different answers.
I'm sorry to banish you up here,
but at least you don't
have to drag the painting
along when you go home.
I'm happy, I assure you.
The light is excellent in here.
What's the point of this?
I dare say Mr. Sargent can answer that.
There's a moment when a young
girl turns into a woman.
It doesn't last long, and
I'd like it caught on canvas.
You managed it so well
with your portrait
of Miss Burckhardt.
I'm glad you liked it.
I liked its dark and its light.
I liked how you showed
that youth is complicated
and not just pretty.
And that is what you want to see
in a picture of Miss Russell?
With a hint of what's to come when she
takes her place in society.
Oh, Mother.
Excuse me.
It troubles me that I never
mentioned a slight commotion
at the Paris salon this year.
About your portrait of Madame
X, with her loose strap falling
away from her naked shoulder?
I had to repaint it back in place.
It will only drive up your price.
[LAUGHS] I wish I had your confidence.
I wish I'd had my confidence
when I was your age.
♪
Ooh.
OK.
Oh, Miss Scott, I was getting worried.
I hope I'm in time.
I'm afraid my mother
persuaded me to stay.
She didn't want me to travel
through the snowstorm.
And was the letter that was waiting
for you worth the journey?
It was from the editor
of The Christian Recorder,
Mr. Benjamin Tucker Tanner.
He's offered to publish
an extract from my novel.
What?
Well, that's incredible!
How did he know about it?
I wrote to him, sent him
a few pages and a synopsis.
But I never thought I'd hear back.
It's such great news.
Not just for you,
but for a lot of people.
I believe it could be.
We'll see.
You must need warming
up after that journey.
Bannister, can you fetch
a brandy for Miss Scott?
Of course, ma'am.
But if I
Miss Scott has agreed to be
part of our temperance meeting.
You have joined this absurd cause?
Mrs. Forte just asked me to take notes.
Because you did such an excellent job
with the invitations.
You used my secretary on this nonsense?
Who is in charge here?
That's rather what I wanted to
Agnes, I won't remind you why I
have the right to give orders.
Is this enough chairs, ma'am?
Oh, I think we need to
create more space first.
Perhaps we could move this table.
How many of them are there?
Have you advertised this
meeting to teetotalers
in every part of the state?
It may be funny to you,
but it's a cause many people
feel passionate about.
Well, this is not the Coliseum.
It is a private home.
If there are so many people keen
on spoiling the country's fun,
you'll need a bigger tent.
Agnes, I ask that you be on your best
behavior this afternoon.
And if you cannot manage that, please
have the courtesy to stay
in your room or go out.
I'm being banished from my own home.
Not exactly.
May I remind you
of the time when this house
was your only shelter?
I've never been ungrateful.
Until now.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Bridget was given conflicting
orders for the silver, ma'am.
What's the problem?
I do not wish for those
people to use my silver.
Are you really that petty?
I am discerning.
There is a difference.
Besides, no one will
come in this weather.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Hmm.
[SIGHS] Let the sober circus begin.
Alcohol is to blame for crime,
violence, and even disease.
We cannot sit idly
by while this scourge
damages our children's future.
[AUDIENCE MURMURS]
Is it God's will for our
great nation to have more
saloons than public schools?
I don't believe so.
We must act, or this
sin will be our undoing.
We have to save those who can be saved.
What about the ones
that won't stop drinking?
The Bible says transgressors
will be destroyed.
So I'm afraid those
who partake of alcohol
are destined to the fury of hell.
Oh!
I want to thank our new
benefactor, Mrs. Forte,
for opening her home to our cause,
and to all of you who braved
the elements to join us today.
[APPLAUSE]
Are we supposed to applaud
our eternal damnation
if we have wine with dinner?
My applause was in gratitude
that she's finally finished.
And now, will you please
join us in the dining
room for some tea?
[CHATTER]
Thank you again.
I need a real drink.
Have Bannister bring
the decanter up to my room.
I hope you'll come down for dinner.
I might have a tray upstairs.
I must leave, too.
Charles and I are going
to the opera tonight.
Oh!
Thank you for coming, dear.
We must get you over
here for dinner sometime.
Not if we aren't serving wine.
I've had a letter from Hector.
Don't say he's coming to New York.
Well, I suppose dukes are allowed
to travel like anyone else.
He asks after you in the letter.
I thought I might invite him to stay.
Why?
I don't like him.
You hardly know him.
And he hardly knows me.
I'm going to catch the
last act of the Met tonight.
Can I go with him?
No.
It's Traviata,
with Marcella Sembrich
singing Violetta.
And there's always
a good crowd for her.
I know we'll find one of your
friends for Gladys to sit with.
I suppose you'll want me to entertain
your duke when he's here.
Oh, very well.
I saw Aurora Fane at Mrs. Goelet.
She said they're going.
Look out for her.
Thank you, Mother.
What can I do when you bully me so?
[DOOR CLICKS]
Oh, there you are.
I've been worried sick.
With all this snow, I had
you overturned in a ditch.
I should have sent a message.
I've eaten, but I can get them to bring
a tray while you change.
Or should we abandon the opera?
Of course.
We were going to see the
third act of Traviata.
We don't have to.
I think we both know
how the story comes out.
I'm just relieved you're
home and in one piece.
There's something I need to say.
First, let me have them
bring some supper for
Aurora, stop.
Just sit and listen.
What is it?
This is extremely hard for me to say.
And I'm sorry.
But you will have noticed
that for the past few months,
I've been away from
the house a great deal.
Well, you're very busy. I know that.
I'm busy, yes.
But I've also met someone.
And I've been spending
a lot of time with her.
But I thought we were happy.
I've been happy.
Haven't you?
Don't make me say something unkind.
The fact is we've decided to marry.
And for that, I need a divorce.
A divorce from from me?
Is there someone else
I should be divorcing?
Oh, what a fool you must think me.
What a fool I've been.
You've tried, I know.
But we don't care about the same things
or even the same people.
The fact is we don't
want the same life.
You'll divorce me, of course.
Why? It's what you want.
- I don't.
- That's how it's done.
A gentleman doesn't divorce his wife.
Maybe, but he can treat
her badly, can't he?
You'll be protected.
Nothing will be done that
is not as you would have it.
That's not true, is it?
Because I don't want to be divorced.
Aurora, the only accepted
cause for divorce is adultery.
And I can't very well accuse you.
No, because I have been faithful.
And I have not, which I freely admit.
So you must bring the charge.
Well, I won't.
I don't want to ruin my life.
Why should I?
Things are not as they used to be.
Among our people, things are
very much as they used to be.
So you want us to go to war?
You march in here,
and tell me my life is over,
and I'm supposed to agree?
I don't mean to be unreasonable.
Then stop being unreasonable.
And the answer is no, I won't do it.
You'll be unhappy as well as me.
And so will your inamorata, I suppose.
Who is she? May I know?
Elsa Lipton, Carter Lipton's widow.
Oh, I knew it would be someone shady.
There's no need to be unpleasant.
It's the truth.
With her history, it would
just be one more battle scar,
when it would ruin me.
- You exaggerate.
- Really?
Do you think I would be
welcome in the circles
where I am welcome now
as a divorced woman?
Oh. [CRYING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
I never thought I would
be glad to have no children.
Oh.
I'm going up.
How strange.
[LAUGHING]
When I bedecked myself
in these geegaws,
I was looking forward
to your coming home.
[SIGHS]
Little did I know.
I'm so sorry Oscar didn't
come down to dinner again.
I hope he's not ill.
I think he's just tired.
He had a tray in his room.
Yes, it must have been
exhausting ruining me.
Agnes!
He paid a high price.
He's lost his place at the bank.
He's given up his rooms and his valet.
I'm afraid he's just given up.
He never comes out of his room.
Do you mind him living here?
Should I ask him to move out?
How can he? He has no money.
Well, I know what that's like.
Anyway, I don't want him to.
But he does need to find a plan.
Marian, may I ask you something?
Of course.
It might be helpful for Oscar to see
more of young Mr. Russell.
He must have plenty of money to
play with, but he works away.
I don't think Mr. Russell
gives him much money.
But he certainly does work hard.
Better and better.
Would you invite him to
dinner, say, Tuesday night?
You do remember he's
in business with John,
trying to sell the clock?
Which will only render
the evening more interesting.
Hm. I'm not sure I agree.
[WHISPERING] Invite him.
[OPERA MUSIC]
♪
[LAUGHS]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Oh. [SIGHS]
That was magnificent.
Thank you for including us.
Of course.
My son was keen to see Miss Russell.
Yes, I could hear
the whispers all the way
through the second act.
We cannot contain young love.
If you'll excuse me.
Of course.
If you want to marry me
and I want to marry you,
we're already engaged.
So why not just tell her?
I can't while Father's away.
And you have to ask him first.
I want it settled before her
duke gets back to New York.
What?
How did you know about that?
I read it in some paper.
[SIGHS]
She's not going to win,
not against my father.
I promise.
His mother seems to
think they're in love.
She would not be wrong.
Don't tell Bertha that.
I assume she was not aware that
Billy Carlton would be here.
We never said we were meeting you.
She finds out the truth, I'll pay.
She can't keep Gladys
locked up forever.
Not forever.
No, just for long enough.
Why?
What's Mother done now?
She started to leak the
details of the Duke's next day,
an outing here, a dinner there.
Soon, if it doesn't come off,
it'll look as if Gladys
has failed to land him.
I thought the newspaper articles were
planted against her wishes.
Less dignified ones,
maybe, but she plays
a long game, your mother.
I don't dislike her, not at all.
But she's sure this
is for Gladys's good.
And she won't let her
daughter wreck her own future.
Let us pray your father
gets back in time.
[COUGHS]
[CLEARS THROAT]
Jack, you need more light.
It's very late for that.
Mr. Larry needs them
for the presentation.
This clock, it'll never live,
and apparently, it'll never die.
Oh.
Mrs. Van Rhijn gave me the
menu for the dinner on Tuesday.
Oh, but Mrs. Forte has given
me quite a different one.
Oh, this can't go on.
We all need to know who
we're working for now.
That's your job, Mr. Bannister.
You have to get it settled.
I wonder who will win in the end,
Mrs. Forte or Mrs. Van Rhijn.
Miss Ada has the money now.
But does that mean
she'll have the final say?
Mrs. Van Rhijn won't give that up.
And she always speaks quite loudly.
[SNICKERING]
Will you go to the presentations?
I'm sure Miss Ada will let you.
Probably, if she's soft enough.
Find out the date.
[BELL RINGING]
Oh, it's Mr. Oscar for Jack.
Again?
Jack was just up there.
He'll want another glass of whiskey.
What does he do all day?
Just lie around and drink?
It is not for us to comment.
[SIGHS]
If you'll excuse me, I'll go up.
Are you quite well?
My mother was right.
I must have caught a chill
on my way to the train.
I'll make you hot lemon and honey.
Oh, thank you.
Good night.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
[COUGHING]
[SIGHS]
I don't understand.
Which bit is not clear?
None of it is clear.
I suppose Charles has been unhappy.
Unhappy?
What is this babble?
You have a nice house.
You have money.
People come to your dinners.
You're invited everywhere.
What more is there?
Some people want more.
I know I do.
Take a ride around
Five Points or Hell's Kitchen
and tell me you're not
satisfied with your life.
But what about this Mrs. Lipton?
These things can be
managed without the horses
skidding off the road.
Really, Agnes, you sound
like Madame de Pompadour.
But she would have known
how to sort this out.
Well, what do you propose?
He wants me to establish
residency in Newport.
I've told him no.
He wants you to sit quietly in Newport,
waiting to be ruined?
We're trying to be helpful, Agnes.
I'm ruined already, to be honest.
Or I will be when the rumors start.
But why do you have to do anything?
He has no grounds.
He needs me to divorce him.
That's what the law states.
And if it comes to it,
Newport is better.
It can be settled in private there.
In New York, the press is
allowed into the court.
Oh. [SIGHS]
Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Try to save the marriage, if you can.
There's no logic in this at all.
You haven't done anything wrong.
Society is not known for its logic,
especially where women are concerned.
We'll still ask you.
Aunt Agnes, you'll ask Aurora
to your dinners, won't you?
Well, if the divorce goes through,
she may not want to come in a group.
She may be happier alone.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
♪
Well, I've told him no.
So now we just have
to see what happens.
I hope my intentions are clear.
Sure.
You intend to buy our mines
cheap, make a pile of money,
and go back to New York to spend it.
And you represent?
Arizona Central Mining Company.
What Mr. Russell wants
Your businesses are underfunded.
Your transport belongs
to the last century.
There's hardly a mine
owned by any of you
that hasn't gone bust
in the past 20 years.
And you think you can change that?
Why do you need all of them?
What's your mine?
Montezuma.
Here's the thing, Mr. Russell.
They may not be much to you,
but these mines are all we have.
We won't give them up easy.
And we don't want to waste your time.
You need to find a way to make
us all rich alongside you.
Not as rich as you, maybe, but rich.
Come up with that, we'll reconvene.
[CHATTER]
They know who you are.
They also know you're
their only chance.
Indeed.
A cable for Mr. Russell.
- I must go home.
- Why?
What's happened?
There's a run on the
Metropolitan National Bank.
They've accused the
president of stealing funds.
What?
We've only just survived
the failure of the Marine
National and John Eno taking millions
from the Second National.
- What's going on?
- I know George Seney.
He's an honest man.
And I'll lose a fortune
if that bank goes down.
What about the negotiations?
You want your cut, don't you?
Clay will stay here.
Pay them, but make
sure I keep the lion's
share and all the power.
When you succeed, bring the
contracts and I'll sign.
Well, suppose we don't succeed?
Then you won't get your money,
and Clay will be out of a job.
You don't mean that.
Mr. Russell is a one man band.
The rest of us are disposable.
Now find me a coach to get me to Yuma.
I can get a train from there.
Shall we get something to eat?
Could they manage a steak?
You won't like it, but all right.
Barkeep, two steaks and more beer.
Full house.
[GUN COCKS]
[GUNSHOT]
[LAUGHTER]
Easy there.
He's enjoying himself.
Are we the first?
Oh.
I made Marian take a bath.
She's been in the cold,
and I don't want her
coming down with something.
Very sensible.
How are you getting on?
Have you managed to
find any new prospects?
I must confess,
it is quite hard to create
the right impression.
Meaning what exactly?
Well, I'm up against all these fellows
with money and position.
Well, you have position,
even if you don't have money.
But that's the thing.
Without money, you just don't count.
Well, then you must
find a way to make some.
It's not quite as easy as all that.
I'm sure, but it can be done.
They say Mr. Gould started with
scarcely a dollar to his name.
So you won't give me an allowance?
Oscar, I will house you and
feed you and even clothe you.
You are safe from real poverty,
which is the curse of millions.
But the rest you must do for yourself.
You might be inspired
by young Mr. Russell.
[SOFT MUSIC]
[CLEARS THROAT]
More wine, ma'am?
Thank you, Bannister.
This is so kind of you, Mrs. Forte.
We want to hear about
all your new projects
that Marian talks about.
And how your father supports you.
He does where he can.
Yes.
How nice it must be to feel
that everyone is on your side.
We'd all be on your side
if you tried to find a job.
What draws you to a new idea?
- Like our footman's clock.
- Yes.
Well, that's easy.
Mr. Trotter is a genius.
His clock is unique in the market,
and I have meetings
planned over the coming
weeks, which is exciting.
You won't mind if John
has some time off for that,
will you, Aunt Ada?
No, of course not.
Oh, no. I'm going to
go alone at this stage.
I don't want to overwhelm them.
Oh.
Well, we look forward to
hearing how it all comes out.
And I hope you'll all be glad to hear
I have a new position, too.
What?
Where?
The Female Normal and High School.
That sounds like a mistranslation.
Why can't you keep teaching
watercolors to nicely
brought up young ladies?
That was bad enough.
Honestly, Aunt Agnes,
you chastise me for working
and Oscar for not working.
Which is it?
Well, you are a lady.
Oscar is not.
Well, it's only three times a week.
Agnes, the Normal School is special.
It educates young women of every race,
class, and religion.
We should be very proud of Marian.
But won't she need a bodyguard?
You'd be surprised at
what we all have in common.
- Such as?
- Suffrage, for one.
A group of women have
organized to support AWSA.
AWSA?
What's that?
The American Woman
Suffrage Association.
Mama, you astound me.
It is a cause that interests me.
- Really?
- Why?
Am I not allowed to have my causes?
You have so many.
I should think suffering
more important than suffrage.
Well, I apologize
for having principles.
Does this mean you approve
of Marian's new position?
No.
Ah.
By the way, Jack,
Mr. Weston wrote today.
He's definitely interested.
That's good, sir.
I'm glad for this Mr. Weston,
whoever he may be.
But can we revert to traditional ways
and allow the footmen to
bring round more sauce?
Of course, ma'am.
That sounds rather awkward.
It was unusual.
I can say that.
It's wrong you're not
at the meetings, Jack.
He doesn't know how it works.
Not really.
He'll have the drawings.
But is that enough?
You keep saying
Mr. Larry is your partner,
so let him act like a partner
and show you some respect.
Mrs. Van Rhijn and Mrs. Forte
were at it again tonight.
[SIGHS] You must get things settled.
You think it'll go away, but it won't.
I know.
Miss Scott's not coming down,
so we can start supper.
She's no better, then?
I'm afraid not. She looks worse.
[SIGHS]
How was your evening?
I enjoyed it,
but they'll never make a worker
out of Oscar van Rhijn.
That was a lucky escape for me.
Did Mother say anything more about
when Father was coming home?
No.
She's so taken with getting
ready for her wretched duke.
Doesn't it worry you?
I'll be safe once Father's back.
He won't let her force me, I promise.
She can be awfully persuasive
when she wants to be.
Mrs. Fish said
Mrs. Fish loves the drama.
She's longing to see
Father and the Duke
tussle it out in Union Square.
You don't think you should
elope with Billy to some state
where it would be legal?
Would you elope with Marian?
You may be keeping it secret,
but I can tell.
You love her.
It's different for us.
Marian and I just have to wait.
But you're running out of time.
[SIGHS]
Will you plead my case with Mother?
I'll try, but don't hold out much hope.
When Mother's made her mind up,
it takes an act of Congress
to change it.
Are you headed for the bathroom?
No, no, no. You go.
I'm in no hurry.
Although this seems like
an early bedtime for you.
Well, that's my new life.
Early bed and queuing for the bathroom.
[CHUCKLES]
Oscar.
Hm?
I'm sad if you don't like Mr. Russell.
He's nice enough.
The fact is, we're not
cut from the same cloth.
I was born to be rich.
I was not born to make a fortune.
It's a different gift.
I need another way.
Well, we know of one other way,
which you've tried twice now,
without success.
Ouch.
Don't remind me.
Will you have another go?
I have less to offer these
days, penniless as I am.
Something will turn up.
And besides, Aunt Ada
won't let you starve.
No, I won't starve.
But she'd like me to
work for every mouthful.
Are you going to Miss Scott?
Yes, miss.
I'll take that.
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
Oh, you shouldn't have done that.
Bridget was on her way up, but I
wanted to see how you are.
Oh, I've been better.
I just can't seem to shake it.
Thank you.
Aunt Agnes was asking after you.
Perhaps you should see a doctor.
Oh, no.
It's such an expense
if it's just a cold.
Promise me you'll sleep when I go.
They have asked for another chapter
that I haven't written yet.
Then they'll just have to wait.
Oh, well.
[SNIFFLES, COUGHS]
Oh, wait.
How was your dinner?
Aunt Ada hoped that Larry
would inspire Oscar to throw
himself into the world
of work, which only shows
how little she knows him.
I thought you might have
announced your engagement
to young Mr. Russell.
There's plenty of time for that.
[CHUCKLING] So you're
not in a hurry, then?
I've made two mistakes.
The first because I was blind,
the second because I thought I
could settle for something
less than perfect.
I was wrong both times.
I don't want to be wrong again.
I like Mr. Russell.
So do I. [LAUGHS]
Very, very much.
[CHUCKLES]
But I felt the same for Mr. Raikes.
He is not Mr. Raikes.
He's honorable, for one thing.
And kindhearted and he's
always been my friend.
But there's no rush.
All right.
Now, finish that and get some sleep.
[BRIGHT MUSIC]
♪
[SOFT CHATTER]
Mrs. Russell is serving
coffee for her committee
in the drawing room.
She thought you'd like some, sir.
Thank you.
I'm sure we both would.
You mean Mr. Trotter is to
have a cup of coffee, too?
I'm sure that's what
Mrs. Russell intended.
I don't need any coffee.
Of course you'll have coffee.
Thank you, James.
You'd think we were at the court
of Franz Josef of Austria.
I suppose it takes some
getting used to for him.
You'll have your own footmen
before I'm finished with you,
and your own house on 61st Street.
I won't fight you on that.
Now, can you make one
drawing concentrating
on the new element?
I did that here.
Oh.
Yes.
[CHUCKLES] I didn't see it.
And so this bit here
is the same as that?
You sure you don't want me to be there,
in case they ask any
technical questions?
I think I can manage.
Thank you, Mr. Bevan.
We should be pleased.
We're in good shape for next season.
And we're already established
as one of the key opera
houses in the world.
[APPLAUSE]
I agree.
Well done us.
- It's something to celebrate.
- Yes.
I'm rather hoping that
Mrs. Russell and I will soon
have another cause for celebration.
What's this?
I was saying you and I
may soon be drinking a toast
for a different reason.
I'm sorry. I don't follow you.
Well, from what Billy said
You mean your son Billy?
He was talking the other night,
when he got back from the opera.
Talking about what?
Gladys.
He'd seen her there with Mrs. Fish.
But I don't want you to misunderstand.
We're all devoted to Gladys.
- We couldn't like her more.
- What's this?
They met with you?
The young were milling about.
Larry brought Gladys to sit with me,
and the others came
in and out of the box.
You know how it is.
I don't know anything of the sort.
Mrs. Gardner, are you leaving?
I'll suffer for that.
But Billy was so sure.
What about the Duke of Buckingham?
I know there was talk.
But I thought that was gossip
and Billy had been accepted.
We were just waiting for him
to speak to Mr. Russell.
In this house, nothing
is accepted that isn't
proposed by Mrs. Russell.
[CHATTER]
[CHURCH BELL TOLLING]
Hello, Adelheid.
Your meeting's done, then?
Yes.
And do you have a date
set for the manufacture
of the great clock?
We're still looking for investors.
[HORSE NEIGHING]
Mr. Larry's playing with
you like a doll, Jack.
He won't help you to make your clock.
I don't agree.
Of course he needs
Well, why did you have to
make a fool of Mr. Bevan?
What's he done to you?
I didn't make a fool of him.
He offered me a cup of coffee.
Mr. Larry offered you coffee.
And you should have refused and not
made Mr. Bevan wait on a junior footman
from a smaller house across the street.
In America, you don't have to
live like your parents lived.
Maybe I'm on my way to that.
You're getting above yourself, Jack.
Mr. Larry may invite you
for dinner and the night
for all I care.
But you're not in favor downstairs.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
♪
Good. We can talk on our own.
What about?
Thank you, Andrew.
Mrs. Carlton was here this morning.
She thinks we're about
to announce Gladys's
engagement to her son.
She told you about the opera.
She didn't know why
it should be a secret,
nor do I, unless it's
because it's not happening.
[SIGHS]
Let her live her own life, Mother.
If I had been given what
I have planned for Gladys,
I would have finished up
queen of the world.
Do you think Father would agree?
When I've explained things to him.
I'm not so sure.
You were wrong to involve
Mrs. Fish in your scheme.
She'll spread it all over
New York and Newport.
I don't think so.
She likes Gladys.
She likes gossip.
You're young, and you're foolish.
I don't hold it against you
since the two go together.
But I'm neither.
And I see that your sister can live
a powerful, interesting life.
Do you know what it means to
be the Duchess of Buckingham?
She can influence
politics, shape events,
set fashions in clothing
and art or anything else.
But to do this, she has to be sensible
now and avoid stupid choices.
A stupid choice like Billy Carlton?
Do you not think it enough that
Gladys just wants to be happy?
Happiness as a by-product of
a well-ordered life may last.
As a goal, it is invariably
doomed to failure.
[SOFT MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
[COUGHING]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Miss Scott?
Oh, Miss Van Rhijn, you shouldn't
have come all the way up here.
I can still climb the stairs.
Peggy, you're no better, and it's
clearly much more than a cold.
Indeed.
I shall call the doctor.
Oh, please don't.
[COUGHS] I'm just a little tired.
I think I caught a little
cold on top of that.
[COUGHING]
Try and sleep.
[SIGHS]
[COUGHING]
Can we send for the doctor now?
I'll write to Dr. Lewis at once.
Dr. Lewis?
Oh, he knows her.
And he won't want to get
on the wrong side of me.
You must be glad how it's going.
I am glad.
You don't look very glad.
It was something Adelheid said.
What do we have to thank her for now?
It was when I was leaving, she said
I'm getting above my station.
She thinks I made a fool of myself.
Have you said this to Mr. Larry?
No.
Do you think I should?
I do not, not one syllable of it.
This is your chance, Jack.
And there's no room for doubt.
I don't doubt the clock.
It's good.
And someone will see that one day.
I just wonder about my own part in it.
When Mr. Larry was here and
I was holding a dish for him
to serve himself, it did make me think.
It should only make you
think of the road ahead.
We believe in you,
and Miss Marian, Mrs. Forte,
and even Mrs. Van Rhijn.
Everyone's ready to celebrate.
Except Miss Armstrong.
Maybe.
But everyone else.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
Dr. Lewis.
How very good of you, Doctor.
- Thank you.
- My pleasure.
Marian, would you escort him upstairs?
- Of course.
- Thank you.
It might be wise to write
to Miss Scott's parents, Mama.
Marian seems to think she's really ill.
Of course.
Her father runs a pharmacy.
I wish we'd written before now.
What is it, Bannister?
Should Mrs. Bauer continue
to hold dinner, ma'am?
Yes, we should wait for
Miss Marian and Dr. Lewis
to come back down.
I agree.
Otherwise, we might have
to ask him to join us.
Well, that was very quick.
Have you discovered
what is wrong with her?
Dr. Lewis is refusing to treat
her because she is colored.
[SCOFFS]
You said in your note
she was your secretary.
Miss Scott is my secretary,
and she is colored.
You have met her before.
I must have forgotten.
I'm afraid I do not
take colored patients.
Good evening to you.
[SCOFFS]
Isn't that against
the Hippocratic oath,
when he's here already?
What are we to do now?
Send for her parents, and quickly.
I'll write a letter and
have John deliver it tonight.
I hope Dr. Lewis regrets
his choice when he realizes
what it will cost him.
John, take this to Brooklyn right away
to Mr. and Mrs. Scott.
I'll find you a cab.
Mrs. Van Rhijn must have known
the doctor wouldn't treat her.
She thinks the rules
don't apply to her.
You can't ask people
to change their ways
at a moment's notice.
They should have sent
for her parents before now.
You married Father for love.
You chose your husband.
Why can't I?
Because I was nothing special.
You're George Russell's daughter.
You need someone worthy of that.
I'm not like you, Mother.
I don't want to be
at the head of society.
But you already are.
And that is why you cannot
be ruled by infatuation.
What I feel for Billy is real.
Billy will never
achieve anything of note.
And he will grow to resent
you for his own shortcomings.
He's from a good family.
Three years ago, you would
have begged to be invited
into their drawing room.
We've overtaken them now.
My sweet girl
I'm not a girl, not anymore.
When will you see that?
You're a girl if I say.
And I pray that's why
you have no judgment.
Please God, you'll grow out of it.
Well, you have no values.
Will you grow out of that?
Why?
Do you think I should stand
aside and watch you marry
some worthless non-entity?
Don't you know a bad
marriage is a prison?
I couldn't agree more.
Good night.
[SIGHS] Gladys!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[SIGHS]
♪
[HORSE NEIGHING]
♪
sync & corrections awaqeded
♪
[BRIGHT TONE]
[TV STATIC DRONES]
[BRIGHT TONE]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[CARRIAGE RUMBLING]
♪
[CHATTER]
[HORSE WHINNYING]
Good to see you, Wilbur.
♪
Welcome to Morenci, Mr. Russell.
Thank you.
I hope you're ready for all of this.
Have you brought your riding clothes?
Of course.
I'm looking forward to seeing
you on a bucking bronco.
[LAUGHTER]
♪
Inside.
All right.
All right.
Back to work, back to work.
Mr. Church?
Yeah.
Has there ever been snow
this close to spring?
I agree.
I was expecting
cherry blossom, not this.
What's all the activity?
The mistress has planned
a temperance meeting,
but I can't imagine there'll
be many guests in this weather.
Mrs. Van Rhijn is
a temperance activist?
Not quite.
I was referring to Mrs. Forte.
But you said mistress.
Yes.
We've had some changes.
Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.
I should have lit the fire earlier.
Well, it's supposed
to be the start of spring.
It won't last long.
Well, you're all dressed up.
Our temperance meeting is today.
Must we keep allowing the frozen tundra
wind into my home, if I
can still call it that?
We need to set up.
You can't mean to sponsor
this absurd meeting now.
It's nearly a blizzard.
Surely your merry band of
teetotalers will stay home.
I doubt it.
Temperance is a cause to
which we are all committed.
To which we are all committed now.
But weren't you committed
to the Charity Organization Society?
Well, yes, I was.
And before that, hadn't someone
cornered you about the
settlement house movement?
That's true.
But I've been convinced that temperance
can bring unique
improvements to our society.
So make a donation
from your newfound fortune
and cancel this gathering.
They will understand.
I am making a donation, in addition
to holding the meeting here.
Alcohol is the scourge
of many families.
And I want to support causes that
are close to my heart as a
way to honor Luke's memory.
You think invoking your late
husband's name will silence me?
It won't. Luke drank wine.
And he served it to thousands
at communion, just like Jesus.
Find a cause he would have cared about.
The point is Luke's
ministry was important to him.
And I want to continue
his legacy by doing works
that are important to me.
[SIGHS]
And if it displeases you,
Agnes, then
Then what?
Then too bad.
I've tried mourning in silence,
and it nearly killed me.
There were nights I went to bed
and prayed not to wake up.
This gives me a purpose.
And I believe it would make Luke proud.
Had he cared about money, we'd have
lived a very different life.
But he cared about people.
And I will, too.
Oh.
Good day, sir.
I wish you wouldn't do this.
Are the trains across
the bridge even running?
There are no cabs.
I must get back to 61st Street.
I promised Mrs. Forte I'd help her
with the temperance meeting.
Your mother shouldn't
have kept you last night.
You'd already be there,
safe and dry, if she hadn't.
You'll catch your death
walking to the station.
You don't think that's
a little pessimistic?
I'm going with her, Dorothy.
Well done on the news.
Thank you.
I knew it was big
when I saw the envelope.
Have you told Mrs. Van Rhijn?
How, when I only opened it last night?
- [LAUGHS]
- All right.
Fine.
Be safe.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm.
I want fires in every room down here
and in all the passages.
They are not to be allowed to go out.
Very good, ma'am.
Mr. Sargent comes at
3:00 for the sitting.
It is your responsibility
to make sure he gets here.
Send the carriage, send the sleigh,
send the seventh regiment
if you have to, but make
sure he's here by 3:00.
Yes, ma'am.
I think he'll find he
has everything he needs.
Good, it must be finished
by the time His Grace arrives.
But don't mention that
to Miss Gladys or Mr. Larry,
or anyone in the household.
I understand, ma'am.
Larry and I are going
for a walk to see the snow.
Why? And where is Larry?
Here I am.
I said we want to see the snow.
If you must go, be careful.
Nothing can go wrong, not now.
What's so special about now?
Nothing.
And don't be late for luncheon.
Your sitting is at 3:00.
♪
He's down there.
Gladys!
Billy.
I'm surprised she let you come.
Only just, she was
frightened by the snow.
[LAUGHS]
These days, she seems
nervous if I leave the house.
I suppose she doesn't want anything
to interfere with her plans.
My chief ambition
in life is to interfere
with your mother's plans.
Will I see you tonight?
Did Mrs. Fish give you the message?
She did, and I'll try to be there.
Wouldn't it be simpler
if I speak to your father
as soon as he's back?
As long as you're sure.
Of course.
I can't wait for you to be my wife.
But are you sure?
I love you.
And that makes me sure.
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona,
he's not expected back for weeks.
What's he doing out there?
He's set on a major expansion
of his railroads, all the way
to California, maybe even Mexico.
I can't quite imagine
Mr. Russell in the Wild West.
I don't know.
He's a pretty sharp shooter
when he wants to be.
He's out in the desert,
and here we are in what
feels like the North Pole.
Will I see you at the opera tonight?
It's too soon for us to
be seen together in public.
It's been months.
Yes.
Because it's only months since I
broke off my engagement to Dashiell.
I've failed at it twice.
Well, this time you'll succeed.
I envy your certainty.
I wish you shared it.
I want to.
I just can't handle scrutiny quite yet.
You must understand, with all
the rumors surrounding Gladys's
engagement to the Duke?
It's my mother's wish,
but it's not what Gladys wants.
We'll see.
And until we do, we'll face
whatever comes together.
But please, don't
make me wait too long.
I wish I could kiss you right now.
Restrain yourself, Mr. Russell.
All in good time.
[LAUGHTER]
Will that make Mrs. Russell happy?
No.
But father won't mind.
I'd better go see what
Gladys has promised him now.
Miss Brook.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
Gladys.
Whoa!
[HORSE WHINNYING]
Where is this man?
Is he late or are we early?
And why is he so important?
John Ranger's our middleman.
They found him in Tucson.
He'll arrange for us
to meet the miners.
I want this done and done quickly.
I'm still not convinced
it's worth the risk.
You can make money
without much trouble.
Why not just allow yourself
to do that and live well?
You're not seeing the big picture.
Fast freight is the future.
And our route, with one line
from New York to Chicago,
and the Southern route
from Chicago to Los Angeles,
will be the fastest way
to get across the country.
When it's running, we can
charge a huge premium.
And with the grants
and subsidies on offer,
we can offset more than
half the cost to build it.
Maybe, but you'll have to
risk an enormous amount of cash
before you get to that point,
if you ever get to that point.
I'd rather have palaces
in New York and Newport
and live without Jay Gould
breathing down my neck.
He'd be breathing down my neck anyway.
What about the copper?
Forget the copper.
You've read the metallurgist report.
We need the land for the railway.
Why not just go around the mines?
We'd have to build
hundreds of miles of track
through the mountains.
We may do something with
the mines at some point.
Right now, just get me the land.
The owners have been
scrabbling for a living
for as long as they can remember.
So it shouldn't take much.
Let them rent back
the mines if they want.
But make sure we own them first.
Mr. Russell.
Ranger!
I'm so glad you could join us.
They cabled you were coming today.
How was New Mexico?
Good.
Please.
So tell me, will they sell?
And who should we approach first?
It's more complicated.
The local mine owners, or most of them,
want to see you together.
I set up a meeting for Friday evening.
I don't want to meet a
bunch of stupid clodhoppers
all at once.
I prefer to pick them off one by one.
They may be clodhoppers,
but they're not stupid.
They know their copper mines will
be the biggest thing in the
state if you're involved.
Well, don't give them any leverage.
The land matters.
The mines don't.
You were so scared.
I was not.
I was not.
Did you have a good time?
Oh, yes.
Though it seems so late for snow
when spring is almost upon us.
But you had a nice walk?
More of a slide than
a walk, but we did.
I feel quite invigorated.
I shall take that as a compliment,
seeing as I pushed you into it.
[LAUGHS]
Mr. Sargent is here.
She'll ring for tea in an hour or so.
And I think you should
have a look at this.
Someone must be looking for me.
He asked me to confirm
that you worked here.
I suppose it's bad news.
Why do you say that?
This kind of a thing usually is.
Oh.
What are you bringing
those back down for?
Put them on the
credenza for Mrs. Forte's
temperance meeting.
I did, but as I was
setting it out, Mrs. Van Rhijn
said she didn't want her
silver used for the meeting.
What should I do?
Well, it's Mrs. Van Rhijn's silver.
But Mrs. Forte pays our wages.
We cannot serve two masters.
But we do.
All right.
I'll speak to both Mrs. Forte
and Mrs. Van Rhijn.
And you'll get two different answers.
I'm sorry to banish you up here,
but at least you don't
have to drag the painting
along when you go home.
I'm happy, I assure you.
The light is excellent in here.
What's the point of this?
I dare say Mr. Sargent can answer that.
There's a moment when a young
girl turns into a woman.
It doesn't last long, and
I'd like it caught on canvas.
You managed it so well
with your portrait
of Miss Burckhardt.
I'm glad you liked it.
I liked its dark and its light.
I liked how you showed
that youth is complicated
and not just pretty.
And that is what you want to see
in a picture of Miss Russell?
With a hint of what's to come when she
takes her place in society.
Oh, Mother.
Excuse me.
It troubles me that I never
mentioned a slight commotion
at the Paris salon this year.
About your portrait of Madame
X, with her loose strap falling
away from her naked shoulder?
I had to repaint it back in place.
It will only drive up your price.
[LAUGHS] I wish I had your confidence.
I wish I'd had my confidence
when I was your age.
♪
Ooh.
OK.
Oh, Miss Scott, I was getting worried.
I hope I'm in time.
I'm afraid my mother
persuaded me to stay.
She didn't want me to travel
through the snowstorm.
And was the letter that was waiting
for you worth the journey?
It was from the editor
of The Christian Recorder,
Mr. Benjamin Tucker Tanner.
He's offered to publish
an extract from my novel.
What?
Well, that's incredible!
How did he know about it?
I wrote to him, sent him
a few pages and a synopsis.
But I never thought I'd hear back.
It's such great news.
Not just for you,
but for a lot of people.
I believe it could be.
We'll see.
You must need warming
up after that journey.
Bannister, can you fetch
a brandy for Miss Scott?
Of course, ma'am.
But if I
Miss Scott has agreed to be
part of our temperance meeting.
You have joined this absurd cause?
Mrs. Forte just asked me to take notes.
Because you did such an excellent job
with the invitations.
You used my secretary on this nonsense?
Who is in charge here?
That's rather what I wanted to
Agnes, I won't remind you why I
have the right to give orders.
Is this enough chairs, ma'am?
Oh, I think we need to
create more space first.
Perhaps we could move this table.
How many of them are there?
Have you advertised this
meeting to teetotalers
in every part of the state?
It may be funny to you,
but it's a cause many people
feel passionate about.
Well, this is not the Coliseum.
It is a private home.
If there are so many people keen
on spoiling the country's fun,
you'll need a bigger tent.
Agnes, I ask that you be on your best
behavior this afternoon.
And if you cannot manage that, please
have the courtesy to stay
in your room or go out.
I'm being banished from my own home.
Not exactly.
May I remind you
of the time when this house
was your only shelter?
I've never been ungrateful.
Until now.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Bridget was given conflicting
orders for the silver, ma'am.
What's the problem?
I do not wish for those
people to use my silver.
Are you really that petty?
I am discerning.
There is a difference.
Besides, no one will
come in this weather.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Hmm.
[SIGHS] Let the sober circus begin.
Alcohol is to blame for crime,
violence, and even disease.
We cannot sit idly
by while this scourge
damages our children's future.
[AUDIENCE MURMURS]
Is it God's will for our
great nation to have more
saloons than public schools?
I don't believe so.
We must act, or this
sin will be our undoing.
We have to save those who can be saved.
What about the ones
that won't stop drinking?
The Bible says transgressors
will be destroyed.
So I'm afraid those
who partake of alcohol
are destined to the fury of hell.
Oh!
I want to thank our new
benefactor, Mrs. Forte,
for opening her home to our cause,
and to all of you who braved
the elements to join us today.
[APPLAUSE]
Are we supposed to applaud
our eternal damnation
if we have wine with dinner?
My applause was in gratitude
that she's finally finished.
And now, will you please
join us in the dining
room for some tea?
[CHATTER]
Thank you again.
I need a real drink.
Have Bannister bring
the decanter up to my room.
I hope you'll come down for dinner.
I might have a tray upstairs.
I must leave, too.
Charles and I are going
to the opera tonight.
Oh!
Thank you for coming, dear.
We must get you over
here for dinner sometime.
Not if we aren't serving wine.
I've had a letter from Hector.
Don't say he's coming to New York.
Well, I suppose dukes are allowed
to travel like anyone else.
He asks after you in the letter.
I thought I might invite him to stay.
Why?
I don't like him.
You hardly know him.
And he hardly knows me.
I'm going to catch the
last act of the Met tonight.
Can I go with him?
No.
It's Traviata,
with Marcella Sembrich
singing Violetta.
And there's always
a good crowd for her.
I know we'll find one of your
friends for Gladys to sit with.
I suppose you'll want me to entertain
your duke when he's here.
Oh, very well.
I saw Aurora Fane at Mrs. Goelet.
She said they're going.
Look out for her.
Thank you, Mother.
What can I do when you bully me so?
[DOOR CLICKS]
Oh, there you are.
I've been worried sick.
With all this snow, I had
you overturned in a ditch.
I should have sent a message.
I've eaten, but I can get them to bring
a tray while you change.
Or should we abandon the opera?
Of course.
We were going to see the
third act of Traviata.
We don't have to.
I think we both know
how the story comes out.
I'm just relieved you're
home and in one piece.
There's something I need to say.
First, let me have them
bring some supper for
Aurora, stop.
Just sit and listen.
What is it?
This is extremely hard for me to say.
And I'm sorry.
But you will have noticed
that for the past few months,
I've been away from
the house a great deal.
Well, you're very busy. I know that.
I'm busy, yes.
But I've also met someone.
And I've been spending
a lot of time with her.
But I thought we were happy.
I've been happy.
Haven't you?
Don't make me say something unkind.
The fact is we've decided to marry.
And for that, I need a divorce.
A divorce from from me?
Is there someone else
I should be divorcing?
Oh, what a fool you must think me.
What a fool I've been.
You've tried, I know.
But we don't care about the same things
or even the same people.
The fact is we don't
want the same life.
You'll divorce me, of course.
Why? It's what you want.
- I don't.
- That's how it's done.
A gentleman doesn't divorce his wife.
Maybe, but he can treat
her badly, can't he?
You'll be protected.
Nothing will be done that
is not as you would have it.
That's not true, is it?
Because I don't want to be divorced.
Aurora, the only accepted
cause for divorce is adultery.
And I can't very well accuse you.
No, because I have been faithful.
And I have not, which I freely admit.
So you must bring the charge.
Well, I won't.
I don't want to ruin my life.
Why should I?
Things are not as they used to be.
Among our people, things are
very much as they used to be.
So you want us to go to war?
You march in here,
and tell me my life is over,
and I'm supposed to agree?
I don't mean to be unreasonable.
Then stop being unreasonable.
And the answer is no, I won't do it.
You'll be unhappy as well as me.
And so will your inamorata, I suppose.
Who is she? May I know?
Elsa Lipton, Carter Lipton's widow.
Oh, I knew it would be someone shady.
There's no need to be unpleasant.
It's the truth.
With her history, it would
just be one more battle scar,
when it would ruin me.
- You exaggerate.
- Really?
Do you think I would be
welcome in the circles
where I am welcome now
as a divorced woman?
Oh. [CRYING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
I never thought I would
be glad to have no children.
Oh.
I'm going up.
How strange.
[LAUGHING]
When I bedecked myself
in these geegaws,
I was looking forward
to your coming home.
[SIGHS]
Little did I know.
I'm so sorry Oscar didn't
come down to dinner again.
I hope he's not ill.
I think he's just tired.
He had a tray in his room.
Yes, it must have been
exhausting ruining me.
Agnes!
He paid a high price.
He's lost his place at the bank.
He's given up his rooms and his valet.
I'm afraid he's just given up.
He never comes out of his room.
Do you mind him living here?
Should I ask him to move out?
How can he? He has no money.
Well, I know what that's like.
Anyway, I don't want him to.
But he does need to find a plan.
Marian, may I ask you something?
Of course.
It might be helpful for Oscar to see
more of young Mr. Russell.
He must have plenty of money to
play with, but he works away.
I don't think Mr. Russell
gives him much money.
But he certainly does work hard.
Better and better.
Would you invite him to
dinner, say, Tuesday night?
You do remember he's
in business with John,
trying to sell the clock?
Which will only render
the evening more interesting.
Hm. I'm not sure I agree.
[WHISPERING] Invite him.
[OPERA MUSIC]
♪
[LAUGHS]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Oh. [SIGHS]
That was magnificent.
Thank you for including us.
Of course.
My son was keen to see Miss Russell.
Yes, I could hear
the whispers all the way
through the second act.
We cannot contain young love.
If you'll excuse me.
Of course.
If you want to marry me
and I want to marry you,
we're already engaged.
So why not just tell her?
I can't while Father's away.
And you have to ask him first.
I want it settled before her
duke gets back to New York.
What?
How did you know about that?
I read it in some paper.
[SIGHS]
She's not going to win,
not against my father.
I promise.
His mother seems to
think they're in love.
She would not be wrong.
Don't tell Bertha that.
I assume she was not aware that
Billy Carlton would be here.
We never said we were meeting you.
She finds out the truth, I'll pay.
She can't keep Gladys
locked up forever.
Not forever.
No, just for long enough.
Why?
What's Mother done now?
She started to leak the
details of the Duke's next day,
an outing here, a dinner there.
Soon, if it doesn't come off,
it'll look as if Gladys
has failed to land him.
I thought the newspaper articles were
planted against her wishes.
Less dignified ones,
maybe, but she plays
a long game, your mother.
I don't dislike her, not at all.
But she's sure this
is for Gladys's good.
And she won't let her
daughter wreck her own future.
Let us pray your father
gets back in time.
[COUGHS]
[CLEARS THROAT]
Jack, you need more light.
It's very late for that.
Mr. Larry needs them
for the presentation.
This clock, it'll never live,
and apparently, it'll never die.
Oh.
Mrs. Van Rhijn gave me the
menu for the dinner on Tuesday.
Oh, but Mrs. Forte has given
me quite a different one.
Oh, this can't go on.
We all need to know who
we're working for now.
That's your job, Mr. Bannister.
You have to get it settled.
I wonder who will win in the end,
Mrs. Forte or Mrs. Van Rhijn.
Miss Ada has the money now.
But does that mean
she'll have the final say?
Mrs. Van Rhijn won't give that up.
And she always speaks quite loudly.
[SNICKERING]
Will you go to the presentations?
I'm sure Miss Ada will let you.
Probably, if she's soft enough.
Find out the date.
[BELL RINGING]
Oh, it's Mr. Oscar for Jack.
Again?
Jack was just up there.
He'll want another glass of whiskey.
What does he do all day?
Just lie around and drink?
It is not for us to comment.
[SIGHS]
If you'll excuse me, I'll go up.
Are you quite well?
My mother was right.
I must have caught a chill
on my way to the train.
I'll make you hot lemon and honey.
Oh, thank you.
Good night.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
[COUGHING]
[SIGHS]
I don't understand.
Which bit is not clear?
None of it is clear.
I suppose Charles has been unhappy.
Unhappy?
What is this babble?
You have a nice house.
You have money.
People come to your dinners.
You're invited everywhere.
What more is there?
Some people want more.
I know I do.
Take a ride around
Five Points or Hell's Kitchen
and tell me you're not
satisfied with your life.
But what about this Mrs. Lipton?
These things can be
managed without the horses
skidding off the road.
Really, Agnes, you sound
like Madame de Pompadour.
But she would have known
how to sort this out.
Well, what do you propose?
He wants me to establish
residency in Newport.
I've told him no.
He wants you to sit quietly in Newport,
waiting to be ruined?
We're trying to be helpful, Agnes.
I'm ruined already, to be honest.
Or I will be when the rumors start.
But why do you have to do anything?
He has no grounds.
He needs me to divorce him.
That's what the law states.
And if it comes to it,
Newport is better.
It can be settled in private there.
In New York, the press is
allowed into the court.
Oh. [SIGHS]
Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Try to save the marriage, if you can.
There's no logic in this at all.
You haven't done anything wrong.
Society is not known for its logic,
especially where women are concerned.
We'll still ask you.
Aunt Agnes, you'll ask Aurora
to your dinners, won't you?
Well, if the divorce goes through,
she may not want to come in a group.
She may be happier alone.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
♪
Well, I've told him no.
So now we just have
to see what happens.
I hope my intentions are clear.
Sure.
You intend to buy our mines
cheap, make a pile of money,
and go back to New York to spend it.
And you represent?
Arizona Central Mining Company.
What Mr. Russell wants
Your businesses are underfunded.
Your transport belongs
to the last century.
There's hardly a mine
owned by any of you
that hasn't gone bust
in the past 20 years.
And you think you can change that?
Why do you need all of them?
What's your mine?
Montezuma.
Here's the thing, Mr. Russell.
They may not be much to you,
but these mines are all we have.
We won't give them up easy.
And we don't want to waste your time.
You need to find a way to make
us all rich alongside you.
Not as rich as you, maybe, but rich.
Come up with that, we'll reconvene.
[CHATTER]
They know who you are.
They also know you're
their only chance.
Indeed.
A cable for Mr. Russell.
- I must go home.
- Why?
What's happened?
There's a run on the
Metropolitan National Bank.
They've accused the
president of stealing funds.
What?
We've only just survived
the failure of the Marine
National and John Eno taking millions
from the Second National.
- What's going on?
- I know George Seney.
He's an honest man.
And I'll lose a fortune
if that bank goes down.
What about the negotiations?
You want your cut, don't you?
Clay will stay here.
Pay them, but make
sure I keep the lion's
share and all the power.
When you succeed, bring the
contracts and I'll sign.
Well, suppose we don't succeed?
Then you won't get your money,
and Clay will be out of a job.
You don't mean that.
Mr. Russell is a one man band.
The rest of us are disposable.
Now find me a coach to get me to Yuma.
I can get a train from there.
Shall we get something to eat?
Could they manage a steak?
You won't like it, but all right.
Barkeep, two steaks and more beer.
Full house.
[GUN COCKS]
[GUNSHOT]
[LAUGHTER]
Easy there.
He's enjoying himself.
Are we the first?
Oh.
I made Marian take a bath.
She's been in the cold,
and I don't want her
coming down with something.
Very sensible.
How are you getting on?
Have you managed to
find any new prospects?
I must confess,
it is quite hard to create
the right impression.
Meaning what exactly?
Well, I'm up against all these fellows
with money and position.
Well, you have position,
even if you don't have money.
But that's the thing.
Without money, you just don't count.
Well, then you must
find a way to make some.
It's not quite as easy as all that.
I'm sure, but it can be done.
They say Mr. Gould started with
scarcely a dollar to his name.
So you won't give me an allowance?
Oscar, I will house you and
feed you and even clothe you.
You are safe from real poverty,
which is the curse of millions.
But the rest you must do for yourself.
You might be inspired
by young Mr. Russell.
[SOFT MUSIC]
[CLEARS THROAT]
More wine, ma'am?
Thank you, Bannister.
This is so kind of you, Mrs. Forte.
We want to hear about
all your new projects
that Marian talks about.
And how your father supports you.
He does where he can.
Yes.
How nice it must be to feel
that everyone is on your side.
We'd all be on your side
if you tried to find a job.
What draws you to a new idea?
- Like our footman's clock.
- Yes.
Well, that's easy.
Mr. Trotter is a genius.
His clock is unique in the market,
and I have meetings
planned over the coming
weeks, which is exciting.
You won't mind if John
has some time off for that,
will you, Aunt Ada?
No, of course not.
Oh, no. I'm going to
go alone at this stage.
I don't want to overwhelm them.
Oh.
Well, we look forward to
hearing how it all comes out.
And I hope you'll all be glad to hear
I have a new position, too.
What?
Where?
The Female Normal and High School.
That sounds like a mistranslation.
Why can't you keep teaching
watercolors to nicely
brought up young ladies?
That was bad enough.
Honestly, Aunt Agnes,
you chastise me for working
and Oscar for not working.
Which is it?
Well, you are a lady.
Oscar is not.
Well, it's only three times a week.
Agnes, the Normal School is special.
It educates young women of every race,
class, and religion.
We should be very proud of Marian.
But won't she need a bodyguard?
You'd be surprised at
what we all have in common.
- Such as?
- Suffrage, for one.
A group of women have
organized to support AWSA.
AWSA?
What's that?
The American Woman
Suffrage Association.
Mama, you astound me.
It is a cause that interests me.
- Really?
- Why?
Am I not allowed to have my causes?
You have so many.
I should think suffering
more important than suffrage.
Well, I apologize
for having principles.
Does this mean you approve
of Marian's new position?
No.
Ah.
By the way, Jack,
Mr. Weston wrote today.
He's definitely interested.
That's good, sir.
I'm glad for this Mr. Weston,
whoever he may be.
But can we revert to traditional ways
and allow the footmen to
bring round more sauce?
Of course, ma'am.
That sounds rather awkward.
It was unusual.
I can say that.
It's wrong you're not
at the meetings, Jack.
He doesn't know how it works.
Not really.
He'll have the drawings.
But is that enough?
You keep saying
Mr. Larry is your partner,
so let him act like a partner
and show you some respect.
Mrs. Van Rhijn and Mrs. Forte
were at it again tonight.
[SIGHS] You must get things settled.
You think it'll go away, but it won't.
I know.
Miss Scott's not coming down,
so we can start supper.
She's no better, then?
I'm afraid not. She looks worse.
[SIGHS]
How was your evening?
I enjoyed it,
but they'll never make a worker
out of Oscar van Rhijn.
That was a lucky escape for me.
Did Mother say anything more about
when Father was coming home?
No.
She's so taken with getting
ready for her wretched duke.
Doesn't it worry you?
I'll be safe once Father's back.
He won't let her force me, I promise.
She can be awfully persuasive
when she wants to be.
Mrs. Fish said
Mrs. Fish loves the drama.
She's longing to see
Father and the Duke
tussle it out in Union Square.
You don't think you should
elope with Billy to some state
where it would be legal?
Would you elope with Marian?
You may be keeping it secret,
but I can tell.
You love her.
It's different for us.
Marian and I just have to wait.
But you're running out of time.
[SIGHS]
Will you plead my case with Mother?
I'll try, but don't hold out much hope.
When Mother's made her mind up,
it takes an act of Congress
to change it.
Are you headed for the bathroom?
No, no, no. You go.
I'm in no hurry.
Although this seems like
an early bedtime for you.
Well, that's my new life.
Early bed and queuing for the bathroom.
[CHUCKLES]
Oscar.
Hm?
I'm sad if you don't like Mr. Russell.
He's nice enough.
The fact is, we're not
cut from the same cloth.
I was born to be rich.
I was not born to make a fortune.
It's a different gift.
I need another way.
Well, we know of one other way,
which you've tried twice now,
without success.
Ouch.
Don't remind me.
Will you have another go?
I have less to offer these
days, penniless as I am.
Something will turn up.
And besides, Aunt Ada
won't let you starve.
No, I won't starve.
But she'd like me to
work for every mouthful.
Are you going to Miss Scott?
Yes, miss.
I'll take that.
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
Oh, you shouldn't have done that.
Bridget was on her way up, but I
wanted to see how you are.
Oh, I've been better.
I just can't seem to shake it.
Thank you.
Aunt Agnes was asking after you.
Perhaps you should see a doctor.
Oh, no.
It's such an expense
if it's just a cold.
Promise me you'll sleep when I go.
They have asked for another chapter
that I haven't written yet.
Then they'll just have to wait.
Oh, well.
[SNIFFLES, COUGHS]
Oh, wait.
How was your dinner?
Aunt Ada hoped that Larry
would inspire Oscar to throw
himself into the world
of work, which only shows
how little she knows him.
I thought you might have
announced your engagement
to young Mr. Russell.
There's plenty of time for that.
[CHUCKLING] So you're
not in a hurry, then?
I've made two mistakes.
The first because I was blind,
the second because I thought I
could settle for something
less than perfect.
I was wrong both times.
I don't want to be wrong again.
I like Mr. Russell.
So do I. [LAUGHS]
Very, very much.
[CHUCKLES]
But I felt the same for Mr. Raikes.
He is not Mr. Raikes.
He's honorable, for one thing.
And kindhearted and he's
always been my friend.
But there's no rush.
All right.
Now, finish that and get some sleep.
[BRIGHT MUSIC]
♪
[SOFT CHATTER]
Mrs. Russell is serving
coffee for her committee
in the drawing room.
She thought you'd like some, sir.
Thank you.
I'm sure we both would.
You mean Mr. Trotter is to
have a cup of coffee, too?
I'm sure that's what
Mrs. Russell intended.
I don't need any coffee.
Of course you'll have coffee.
Thank you, James.
You'd think we were at the court
of Franz Josef of Austria.
I suppose it takes some
getting used to for him.
You'll have your own footmen
before I'm finished with you,
and your own house on 61st Street.
I won't fight you on that.
Now, can you make one
drawing concentrating
on the new element?
I did that here.
Oh.
Yes.
[CHUCKLES] I didn't see it.
And so this bit here
is the same as that?
You sure you don't want me to be there,
in case they ask any
technical questions?
I think I can manage.
Thank you, Mr. Bevan.
We should be pleased.
We're in good shape for next season.
And we're already established
as one of the key opera
houses in the world.
[APPLAUSE]
I agree.
Well done us.
- It's something to celebrate.
- Yes.
I'm rather hoping that
Mrs. Russell and I will soon
have another cause for celebration.
What's this?
I was saying you and I
may soon be drinking a toast
for a different reason.
I'm sorry. I don't follow you.
Well, from what Billy said
You mean your son Billy?
He was talking the other night,
when he got back from the opera.
Talking about what?
Gladys.
He'd seen her there with Mrs. Fish.
But I don't want you to misunderstand.
We're all devoted to Gladys.
- We couldn't like her more.
- What's this?
They met with you?
The young were milling about.
Larry brought Gladys to sit with me,
and the others came
in and out of the box.
You know how it is.
I don't know anything of the sort.
Mrs. Gardner, are you leaving?
I'll suffer for that.
But Billy was so sure.
What about the Duke of Buckingham?
I know there was talk.
But I thought that was gossip
and Billy had been accepted.
We were just waiting for him
to speak to Mr. Russell.
In this house, nothing
is accepted that isn't
proposed by Mrs. Russell.
[CHATTER]
[CHURCH BELL TOLLING]
Hello, Adelheid.
Your meeting's done, then?
Yes.
And do you have a date
set for the manufacture
of the great clock?
We're still looking for investors.
[HORSE NEIGHING]
Mr. Larry's playing with
you like a doll, Jack.
He won't help you to make your clock.
I don't agree.
Of course he needs
Well, why did you have to
make a fool of Mr. Bevan?
What's he done to you?
I didn't make a fool of him.
He offered me a cup of coffee.
Mr. Larry offered you coffee.
And you should have refused and not
made Mr. Bevan wait on a junior footman
from a smaller house across the street.
In America, you don't have to
live like your parents lived.
Maybe I'm on my way to that.
You're getting above yourself, Jack.
Mr. Larry may invite you
for dinner and the night
for all I care.
But you're not in favor downstairs.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
♪
Good. We can talk on our own.
What about?
Thank you, Andrew.
Mrs. Carlton was here this morning.
She thinks we're about
to announce Gladys's
engagement to her son.
She told you about the opera.
She didn't know why
it should be a secret,
nor do I, unless it's
because it's not happening.
[SIGHS]
Let her live her own life, Mother.
If I had been given what
I have planned for Gladys,
I would have finished up
queen of the world.
Do you think Father would agree?
When I've explained things to him.
I'm not so sure.
You were wrong to involve
Mrs. Fish in your scheme.
She'll spread it all over
New York and Newport.
I don't think so.
She likes Gladys.
She likes gossip.
You're young, and you're foolish.
I don't hold it against you
since the two go together.
But I'm neither.
And I see that your sister can live
a powerful, interesting life.
Do you know what it means to
be the Duchess of Buckingham?
She can influence
politics, shape events,
set fashions in clothing
and art or anything else.
But to do this, she has to be sensible
now and avoid stupid choices.
A stupid choice like Billy Carlton?
Do you not think it enough that
Gladys just wants to be happy?
Happiness as a by-product of
a well-ordered life may last.
As a goal, it is invariably
doomed to failure.
[SOFT MUSIC]
[SIGHS]
[COUGHING]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Miss Scott?
Oh, Miss Van Rhijn, you shouldn't
have come all the way up here.
I can still climb the stairs.
Peggy, you're no better, and it's
clearly much more than a cold.
Indeed.
I shall call the doctor.
Oh, please don't.
[COUGHS] I'm just a little tired.
I think I caught a little
cold on top of that.
[COUGHING]
Try and sleep.
[SIGHS]
[COUGHING]
Can we send for the doctor now?
I'll write to Dr. Lewis at once.
Dr. Lewis?
Oh, he knows her.
And he won't want to get
on the wrong side of me.
You must be glad how it's going.
I am glad.
You don't look very glad.
It was something Adelheid said.
What do we have to thank her for now?
It was when I was leaving, she said
I'm getting above my station.
She thinks I made a fool of myself.
Have you said this to Mr. Larry?
No.
Do you think I should?
I do not, not one syllable of it.
This is your chance, Jack.
And there's no room for doubt.
I don't doubt the clock.
It's good.
And someone will see that one day.
I just wonder about my own part in it.
When Mr. Larry was here and
I was holding a dish for him
to serve himself, it did make me think.
It should only make you
think of the road ahead.
We believe in you,
and Miss Marian, Mrs. Forte,
and even Mrs. Van Rhijn.
Everyone's ready to celebrate.
Except Miss Armstrong.
Maybe.
But everyone else.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
Dr. Lewis.
How very good of you, Doctor.
- Thank you.
- My pleasure.
Marian, would you escort him upstairs?
- Of course.
- Thank you.
It might be wise to write
to Miss Scott's parents, Mama.
Marian seems to think she's really ill.
Of course.
Her father runs a pharmacy.
I wish we'd written before now.
What is it, Bannister?
Should Mrs. Bauer continue
to hold dinner, ma'am?
Yes, we should wait for
Miss Marian and Dr. Lewis
to come back down.
I agree.
Otherwise, we might have
to ask him to join us.
Well, that was very quick.
Have you discovered
what is wrong with her?
Dr. Lewis is refusing to treat
her because she is colored.
[SCOFFS]
You said in your note
she was your secretary.
Miss Scott is my secretary,
and she is colored.
You have met her before.
I must have forgotten.
I'm afraid I do not
take colored patients.
Good evening to you.
[SCOFFS]
Isn't that against
the Hippocratic oath,
when he's here already?
What are we to do now?
Send for her parents, and quickly.
I'll write a letter and
have John deliver it tonight.
I hope Dr. Lewis regrets
his choice when he realizes
what it will cost him.
John, take this to Brooklyn right away
to Mr. and Mrs. Scott.
I'll find you a cab.
Mrs. Van Rhijn must have known
the doctor wouldn't treat her.
She thinks the rules
don't apply to her.
You can't ask people
to change their ways
at a moment's notice.
They should have sent
for her parents before now.
You married Father for love.
You chose your husband.
Why can't I?
Because I was nothing special.
You're George Russell's daughter.
You need someone worthy of that.
I'm not like you, Mother.
I don't want to be
at the head of society.
But you already are.
And that is why you cannot
be ruled by infatuation.
What I feel for Billy is real.
Billy will never
achieve anything of note.
And he will grow to resent
you for his own shortcomings.
He's from a good family.
Three years ago, you would
have begged to be invited
into their drawing room.
We've overtaken them now.
My sweet girl
I'm not a girl, not anymore.
When will you see that?
You're a girl if I say.
And I pray that's why
you have no judgment.
Please God, you'll grow out of it.
Well, you have no values.
Will you grow out of that?
Why?
Do you think I should stand
aside and watch you marry
some worthless non-entity?
Don't you know a bad
marriage is a prison?
I couldn't agree more.
Good night.
[SIGHS] Gladys!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[SIGHS]
♪
[HORSE NEIGHING]
♪
sync & corrections awaqeded
♪
[BRIGHT TONE]