Mr Selfridge (2013) s01e06 Episode Script

I said to Mr Leclair that I'll help with the window tomorrow.
That man snaps his fingers, you come running.
Victor, tell me all about yourself.
I have an invalid wife at home.
No wonder Harry looks for his passions elsewhere.
Ellen Love paid me a visit this morning.
Whatever she said, it's not true.
Please don't do this to me, Harry.
I love you.
Jesus.
You can go to hell! Your pa ain't no war hero.
He ain't dead either.
To my father.
Normally, I stay off this poison.
Daily Graphic! Read all about it! There you go, son.
Mr Selfridge in motor car accident! Ladies, join us on the 17th! Votes for women! Support the cause! Mr Selfridge in motor car accident! Votes for women! Support the cause! Votes for women! I don't feel very well.
Please can I be excused? Is Mr Selfridge? Do we have any news? Everyone, please gather round.
Hurry up, please.
Quickly! Thank you.
As you all must have heard by now, the chief had a serious automobile accident.
He got knocked on the head and he hasn't come round yet.
Quieten down or you won't hear what else I've got to say.
Is he alive, Mr Crabb? That's what we wanna know.
Of course he is.
Didn't I just say so? Then why are you wearing a mourning band? Th this isn't because of Mr Selfridge.
Trouble comes in pairs.
Mr Grove's wife, Harriet, who he's nursed for the last 12 years, died in her sleep last night.
A book of condolence for Mr Grove will circulate in the store today.
While he's away, Miss Mardle will be chief of staff.
Miss Ravillious will cover both Accessories and Fashion.
Gawd, not the old dragon.
We've all got to think positively about the Chief.
There's no reason he shouldn't rise from his bed this very afternoon, come here and see that we're all behaving ourselves.
So, no slacking.
Everyone to their posts, please.
Doors open nine o'clock sharp.
I've already told you, I have absolutely no comment to make whatsoever.
Excuse me, Mr Edwards, give us the latest on Selfridge.
Don't know any more than you do, boys.
Pull the other one.
Come on, middle of the night, driving like the clappers.
Off to see some lady, was he? Mr Edwards, please, a couple of words.
"Harry Gordon Selfridge is an American tycoon, famous for his luxurious store on Oxford Street.
" Isn't a tycoon a rain storm? No, silly, it's a businessman.
"It's not yet clear why Mr Selfridge was driving alone so late at night.
" Why was he, Grandma? Oh, you know your father.
Always on the go.
Mr Edwards is here.
Oh, I suppose I ought to see him.
Finish your breakfast, children.
The Suffragettes are marching tomorrow.
"Women coming from all over the country.
" Sounds like a lark.
You know what Mother and Father feel about that.
It's perfectly all right to support the cause, but not to make a spectacle of yourself.
You're too young, anyway.
A peaceful procession is not a spectacle.
They're walking down Oxford Street.
Do you think they'll get as far as the store? I hope not.
Mrs Selfridge, how is he? No better.
I thought perhaps he'd be up and about by now.
Afraid not.
The thing is, there is a head of steam building up about Harry and his accident.
The night he crashed the motor, he'd been gambling at the club.
He lost a lot.
Was he with you? I bumped into him there.
I wish you hadn't introduced him to that club.
Now hold on, if I hadn't showed him where to gamble, someone would have.
Let's say he has a penchant for it.
He hates to lose.
That's probably why he was driving so fast.
There's more to it than that.
He was knocking back the whisky.
Toasting his father.
And a worse thing There was a lady came to see him at the club.
It could get out.
Miss Love? Oh, Harry.
Can I give you a bit of advice? If the press get cheeky, you need a line and you need to stick to it.
Tell them he was renegotiating her contract.
What if Miss Love gives a different story? I'll talk to her.
I can't worry Rose with this.
Between the two of us, we'll keep the scribblers from her door.
Thank you, Mr Edwards.
I see why Harry has you as a friend.
He'll come through all this.
Mother, you should get some sleep.
If Pa wakes, I'll tell you.
No, I wanna be here when he does.
You know what the doctor said.
When Pa wakes up, if he wakes up Stop it, Rosalie! Of course he will.
He might not be the Pa we know.
You're going to need all your strength for that.
Please, Mother, take some rest.
I'll rest here.
If he moves, if anything changes, wake me.
They're his meetings for today.
How could he do all these? "Everything is said that needs to be said in a quarter of an hour, Miss Blenkinsop.
After that, it's hot wind.
" Cancel them, Miss Blenkinsop.
Every one.
Be careful not to give too much away.
We mustn't alarm people.
Mr Grove? Roger? What are you doing here? You should be at home.
I'm needed here.
Are you quite well, my dear? I'm Chief of Staff.
In the absence of Mr Selfridge, I must take his place.
This ship needs a captain.
I'm that man.
Where are you going? I'm late for work.
No-one will notice.
And I need company.
And I told you, I'm late for work.
Well, quite.
We all must pull together.
Yes, I know, I know.
Taking it bad, isn't he, your Mr Leclair? He's not my Mr Leclair.
Oh, he needs a big cuddle.
Come on, Agnes, you know you want to.
Just stop it, all right? Mr Selfridge is lying ill, and all you can do is go on.
Is everything in order here? Miss Hawkins, we must arrange for some new stock to be brought to the floor.
I will need someone to assist me.
I've had enough of her.
What have I ever done to her? You haven't done anything.
You know when we got our positions here? I think Kitty thought she might be Senior Assistant.
Did she? You've got to feel for her.
She might lark about, but she wants to get on.
No chatting, girls.
One minute to opening.
Sorry, Miss Ravillious, I dropped that.
A lady gave it to me outside.
I hope there's not going to be any trouble.
Well, if there is, it'll come from the police.
Their violence outside the House of Commons was shocking.
You were there? I'll keep this.
Best to be prepared.
So, how's the invalid? Frank.
What lovely flowers.
Thank you.
If you hadn't come that night, Frank, I don't know what would have happened.
I was so angry with him.
He can't treat me like that.
I'm not someone he can just use and forget.
He doesn't even come to see me, he doesn't say sorry Oh, I hate him.
He's had an accident.
Crashed his motor.
Oh, my God.
Frank, is he all right? I thought you hated him? Frank, is he? He's still unconscious.
I've got to see him.
You can't, he's at home.
For God's sake, Ellen.
This is my fault.
Of course it isn't.
I woke up and he hadn't come.
I wished him dead.
If you really want to help him, lie low and make sure this doesn't get left at his door.
Maybe I want it to be.
No.
Maybe I want the world to know what sort of man he is.
No more news on the Chief? Mr Crabb says we've got to think positively.
He's right.
Victor, I I don't want to fight with you.
Are we friends? Of course we are.
Do you want to do something after work tonight, then? We could go to Clerkenwell, meet your uncle.
I can't tonight.
Maybe another night.
I've been called to an emergency staff meeting.
My Senior Assistant in Fashion has chosen today to be afflicted with a cold.
Please, Miss Towler, would you oversee both departments while I'm upstairs? It's a bit much for me to do both departments, Miss Ravillious.
Perhaps I could oversee Fashion and Miss Hawkins could do Accessories? Very well.
We must all pull together today.
Kitty! Do I have to call you Miss Hawkins now? I think it'd be best, don't you? Oh, yeah His pupils are dilating in response to the light, which is a good sign.
And it's encouraging that he's making sound.
But not sense? Sense, we must hope, will come later.
Doctor, his hand, it moved.
Can you hear me, Mr Selfridge? It's a waiting game.
Mother, Mr Musker is downstairs.
He's asking to see you.
Mr Musker.
I'm so sorry to impose upon you.
Oh, not at all.
I came as soon as I heard the news.
How is he? A little better.
Thank you.
Compos mentis? No.
Not yet.
I see.
My dear Rose, I'm sorry to raise this at such a difficult time.
But I do need to clarify something.
The company lawyer is being somewhat cagey about what plan is in place in the family in the event that .
.
well Who is going to inherit the family shareholdings if Harry doesn't pull through? I ask this as a major investor.
I do need to know.
Well, it would It would be our son, Gordon.
Harry believes that commerce is a man's world.
Gordon is still a pup! I think his shareholdings are placed in a trust.
Then Lois and I, we would manage them until he came of age.
Excellent.
Excellent.
Never mind, we could always get him a good trainer, if it came to it.
Which I'm sure it won't.
Would you care for some tea? No, no.
I'll leave you in peace.
Have you good doctors? Er, the best, I believe.
If you need any help in any way Oh, you're very kind.
Not at all.
You really must let me know if there's anything I can do.
That's so kind of you.
Thank you.
I'm sure Harry will appreciate you coming by, Mr Musker.
We're all doing the best that we can.
Until Mr Selfridge is better, all decisions will go through me.
What decisions do you mean exactly, Mr Grove? The day-to-day running of the store.
Any problems you would normally bring to Mr Selfridge Problem number one, we need a new window display, as the motor is wrecked.
Do you have any suggestions? Not at present.
Mr Selfridge had a full list of appointments .
.
Mr Selfridge is recovering while at home.
We don't know it's true.
Do we send it out? Everybody, please! Mr Grove needs to assimilate this information.
He has come in to assume his duties under very difficult circumstances.
Thank you, Miss Mardle.
I really am most capable.
Of course you are.
But it might be easier if people spoke to you one at a time.
That would be sensible, yes.
As we are all together, however, I think we should discuss this.
The Suffragettes will be walking past the building tomorrow.
Some other stores are very worried about it.
Ghastly women.
Lock 'em up, throw away the key.
That's as maybe, Mr Grove, but we need a strategy for tomorrow.
If Mr Selfridge were here, he would have one.
Well, they're not coming in the building.
Tomorrow is Tuesday.
Well? The ladies lunch here on a Tuesday.
They're not to set foot within these four walls, is that clear? Cancel the lunch.
The procession shouldn't be dominated by Mrs Pankhurst.
I agree.
The Pankhursts are demanding too much centralisation.
But these inner divisions must not weaken the movement.
Table for three, Lady Loxley.
If we become weak, our adversaries may roughly take advantage of us.
Why were you late? I'm sorry, I didn't get a wink of sleep last night.
I was so cut up about Mr Selfridge.
He's not dead yet.
But we soon will be.
Mr Grove is cancelling the ladies' lunch tomorrow.
And I'm not going to break the news to Lady Loxley.
You are.
Pa's gonna be fine, you know.
You have his optimism.
And his eyes.
Ma What is it? Life is complicated.
Where was Pa that night, anyway? Er, he was with Mr Edwards, I believe.
He's allowed to go out and have fun, and you're not.
It's not fair.
Oh, what a very modern woman you are.
What a strange little boy.
Little boys in department stores? Sorry, sir.
Did he take anything? Let me check.
Stop that boy! - There he goes! - Stop that boy! Stop him! I'm Gordon Selfridge.
My father is Harry Selfridge.
Leave the boy alone.
He's telling the truth.
Are you all right? Ah, Mr Colleano.
Tomorrow, we'll need the private room for 20.
Tomorrow is going to be difficult, Lady Loxley.
I hope not.
I'm entertaining the chairwomen from There are concerns about the demonstration.
Management thinks that no Suffragettes should come into the building in case things get out of hand.
I thought this store was pro the vote.
It is.
It was.
And yet they close their doors to us at the smallest sign of trouble.
I'm not staying in such a cowardly establishment.
Madam.
Where is Mr Grove's office? Roger, don't you think it's too early to come back? There must be a lot to be getting on with at home.
The house is so quiet, I can't be there.
You don't have to be there alone.
Not now.
Not ever.
I would give this up gladly for you.
Is it you who's in charge when Mr Selfridge is ill? It is.
You mustn't cancel ladies' lunch tomorrow.
If you do, it will cause grave aggravation.
I have to disagree with you, Lady Loxley.
Allowing these women into the building, that will cause aggravation.
I am one of "these women".
With great respect, I believe the fairer sex are not equipped to understand or take part in the rough world of politics.
Bunkum! Excuse me? What do you think, Miss Mardle? Violent methods are not the way to achieve anything.
Desperation breeds violence.
Are you going to reinstate this lunch? No.
Then I cannot be responsible for the actions of the militants tomorrow.
Good day to you.
Insufferable woman! She is a valued client.
I don't care who she is.
She can't come in here and tell us how to run our own store! She could have a point, though.
I'm trying to think what Mr Selfridge would do.
He'd use this march tomorrow to the store's advantage.
He wouldn't put people's backs up.
And that is what you think I'm doing? I just think you should reconsider.
My decision is final.
You shouldn't be doing this.
You're not well enough.
It's a matinee.
The punters won't notice if I go on half-cocked.
Take the afternoon off and damn 'em.
I can't, Frank.
It's my bread and butter.
I'm on my own now.
I have to think about where the money's coming from.
Unless I speak to the papers.
About me and Harry.
That would earn me a nice, little nest egg.
Short-term gain, my dear, long-term loss.
You'd find it hard to tread these boards again.
I'm not sure I care.
I'm fed up of this place, I tell you.
You don't need The Gaiety.
Why don't you try your hand at something else? Like what? Serious acting.
Could I do it? Of course you could.
You've got real talent.
I could introduce you to some playwright chaps.
Oh, Frank! Would you? I'd love that.
I'd be delighted.
Of course, the highbrow set don't like scandal, articles in the papers about affairs and suchlike.
It's very off-putting.
That's the deal, is it? That's the deal.
I'll think about it.
See? You give it a little tap.
The telephone at the Selfridge house seems to be permanently engaged.
It's probably journalists.
I know the family.
I will take him home.
Miss Towler has made friends with him.
Perhaps she could accompany us.
There.
Wind it back up.
There you go.
What's it like, working for Pa? He's fair and he believes in people.
He is a genius.
He's the best man in the world.
But, if he died Oh, he's not going to.
.
.
I'd have to run the store.
You'd have help until you got older.
Your mother, your sisters, your grandmother They're girls.
They can't do it.
Commerce is a man's world.
Where have you been? We've been worried sick.
He was at the store.
Mr Leclair, thank you so much for bringing him back.
My great pleasure.
How is Harry? He's still not himself.
We're all praying for Mr Selfridge, ma'am.
We all so want him to get well.
You're very kind.
Well You must never run away again.
Anything could have happened to you.
Do you understand that? I wasn't running away.
What were you doing, then, for heaven's sake? I was just checking to see if the store was all right.
It's mine if Pa dies.
What? What do you mean, it's yours? Ma, is this true? How dare you speak about your father that way! How dare you! Go to the library.
Go on, all of you, go! I'm sure Gordon didn't mean to upset you, dear.
We were fighting, Lois, Harry and I.
I should have gone after him.
But I didn't.
I'm not angry with Gordon, I'm mad with myself.
No, I have to get back.
You like children? Yes, I do.
You're good with them.
Maybe you should marry and have babies.
No, not me.
I've got too much to do.
Do you have a young man? There is someone.
But he He tells me what's what a bit too much.
What about you? That French girl That French girl is in New York, so Actually, there is someone in England I like very much.
Une ingenue I don't know how to say that in English.
An innocent? Is that the right word? Yes.
Yes.
The thing is, I hope she likes me, but if I make an advance, I might frighten her away.
You probably wouldn't.
You think? So, what are you going to do? What do you think I should do? Maybe wait for her? Yeah.
I'm good at waiting.
Great show, Ellen.
Wonderful.
Well, no more Gaiety.
All those men in the dark .
.
wanting a piece of you.
And we know what piece, don't we? Time to move on.
Get out! Harry? Get out! Harry, can you hear me? Get out! Get out! Harry, can you hear me? Get out! Get out! I'm sorry to drag you all into this.
But we've got a real problem on our hands tomorrow.
Unless we do something about it, the store could be in real trouble.
Are you sure this is a good idea? I'm not sure about anything.
But I have a hunch this is what the Chief would do.
Mr Grove will feel let down.
Mr Grove is not himself.
Mr Grove, let me walk home with you.
Good night, Mr Crabb.
Good night, Mr Grove.
Good night, Miss Ravillious.
Good night, Mr Grove.
Miss Mardle.
You might have heard we've got a little demonstration on our doorstep tomorrow.
Women getting carried away.
Nobody's listening.
You have to fight to be heard.
The Suffragettes are about progress.
That's why the Chief has endorsed their products.
Emancipated women are the future.
Like automobiles and aeroplanes.
It would be a disaster for Selfridges to be perceived as anti-suffrage.
We have a plan to avoid trouble.
But it requires you all putting in some extra hours.
If you want to go home now, that's up to you.
Otherwise let's roll up our sleeves and get on with it.
You're not staying? I can't.
I've got a chance for my own restaurant, Agnes.
This person might back me.
Gosh, that's wonderful.
Who is it? No-one you'd know.
Anyway, I'm meeting her him tonight.
I've gotta go or I'll be late.
Quick as you can.
You take this one.
And those two.
You leave the blue one.
Right in the window, please.
How are we doing? We're gonna be good.
Yes.
That's all right, ladies.
We need to fold it now.
Let me help you with that.
Voila.
I'd ask you in, but it doesn't seem right somehow.
I know she's dead, but I must still respect her.
I understand.
Good night, Josie.
Roger You cared for Hettie for 12 years.
You mustn't feel guilty.
This is your time.
Now.
You deserve it.
Mr Selfridge would have loved this challenge, and that we rose to it.
He believes every man can be better than he is.
What about every woman, Mr Crabb? Yes, um, women, too.
Thank you, everyone.
Sleep well.
And see you all tomorrow.
You were inspirational today.
Well done.
Mother.
Harry? Are you all right? I've got one hell of a headache.
Harry! Pa! Mmm! Good morning, Mr Selfridge.
I need to check your pulse.
You've had a bump to the head.
You crashed your automobile, Pa.
I did? I don't remember.
May I ask you a few questions? Yes.
Who are these people in the room? My family, of course.
My wife, my mother and my daughter.
And who is the Prime Minister? Mr Asquith.
And what is your full name? Harry Gordon Selfridge.
Very good.
Pa! Hey! Where's Violette? Still sleeping.
What are you doing? I gotta go to the store.
No That is out of the question.
Let him.
Your coat, sir.
I thought I might walk.
Get some air.
Support our cause, sir? Madam, I am a big supporter of women.
Deeds not words! Deeds not words! Votes for women! Deeds not words! Deeds not words! Deeds not words! Votes for women! Deeds not words! There's a large group of women coming this way.
They're smashing windows.
Good Lord.
The police have started making arrests.
The mood has turned very ugly.
Mr Leclair, the curtains are still closed on the windows.
You must open them now.
We are not quite finished.
Open them.
Deeds not words! Votes for women! Votes for women! Votes for women! Deeds not words! Votes for women! Deeds not words! Deeds not words! Votes for women! Ladies! Ladies! Deeds not words! Ladies! This building behind me has closed its doors to us, like Parliament has closed its ears.
Are we going to accept it? No! Are we going to show them we mean business? Yes! Come on, then! Come on! WSPU! WSPU! Votes for women! Votes for women! Ladies, give him some space.
He needs air.
Let me through! Let me through! Pa! Pa! Violette! What are you doing here? I could ask the same of you.
Is he all right? Who is he? He's my father.
Harry Gordon Selfridge.
Three cheers for Mr Selfridge! Hip, hip Hooray! Hip, hip Hooray! Hip, hip Hooray! Hip, hip Hooray! Back at the helm, old chap.
With big plans, Frank.
Big plans.
Sir Arthur, this is Mrs Selfridge.
Enchanted.
What's this? It's a love gift.
I always wanted a mystery admirer.
He'll be a lucky man who gets you for a wife.
I'm not looking to be anyone's wife just now.
Hello, Miss Bunting.
Miss Millar, isn't it? Oh, is that yours? Why did you do that? That's your money.
Can't you see? She's hungry.
Crabb, there is a seance in the Palm Court this evening.
Mrs Grove is scarcely cold in her grave.