Mr Selfridge (2013) s01e08 Episode Script

It's Miss Bunting.
She's in a bad way.
If you could just see it fit to give her a reference - Why don't you try your hand at something else? - Like what? Serious acting.
I gave you my childbearing years.
You understand that, don't you, Roger? I'd be lost without you.
Come with me to Paris.
No.
I want everything perfect for this evening, Fraser.
Of course, sir.
- And all the staff understands that? - They do indeed, Mr Selfridge.
Mr Woolworth is an American gentleman, I believe Yes.
- And I told you he likes his mutton very well done.
- You did indeed, sir.
- And I don't want any fuss.
Everything natural.
- Of course, sir.
Everything natural.
Hello.
- Hello, dear Rose.
- Jennie, welcome.
So glad you could come.
You look so well.
Rosalie.
How are you? Frank.
Rose.
So nice to see you.
Welcome.
Thank you.
Come in.
Rosalie.
Hello.
Frank.
Nice place you've got here, Harry.
Rented? I could have bought it, of course, but - Sure you could.
I didn't wanna tie up all my capital in real estate.
You don't have to explain to me, Harry, you're a big boy now.
Bed.
Well, my heart was in my mouth, as you can imagine.
My first soiree! But Lady Mae was wonderful.
She introduced me to so many people I lost count.
Our Edna's getting married to a New York City stockbroker.
One of the wealthiest and most influential fellas - Oh, Frank.
Stop it.
Nothing wrong with a little bragging.
Harry and I both came up the hard way.
Children are our legacy.
Here's to them.
You seem to have settled in just fine, Rose.
We have, although I miss family and friends.
Well we may be here a great deal more.
Really? FW's store did so well in Liverpool, he's planning to open them all over England.
But, er, you don't want him to? FW doesn't stop.
I don't think he knows how to.
Harry has the same problem.
I hope not.
Jennie, are you quite well? You know .
.
I think I liked it better when we were just starting up.
It was hard, but we were together and happy.
So when does the Brixton store open up? A couple of weeks.
And then? I'm taking one step at a time.
Mm.
I heard you were thinking about central London.
Oxford Street to be exact.
Is that true? Wouldn't it be kind of neighbourly? Two old Yankees, cosying up together? Could be kind of painful - your prices undercutting mine.
Our stores don't attract the same customers.
Yours is for the wealthy, mine is for the thrifty.
Selfridges is for anyone and everyone.
Anybody who can afford your stiff prices.
When you and I were growing up, we couldn't even go into a place like Selfridges, let alone buy anything there.
Face it, Harry, you cater to the carriage trade, these days.
I'm still a five and dime guy.
I reckon the West End's big enough to hold us both.
What do you say, Harry? Good night.
Thanks again.
Good morning.
Good morning.
Good morning, Miss Ravillious.
Look to it, Miss Towler.
Mr Selfridge is on the floor.
Good morning, ladies.
Morning, Mr Selfridge.
Morning, Mr Selfridge.
I have a challenge for you.
What can I buy with this? Well, er, well, nothing, Mr Selfridge.
If it were a sixpence, we have some rather pleasant handkerchiefs.
I don't have a sixpence, I have a thrupenny bit.
Well Miss Ravillious, Miss Towler, what can you offer me? A thrupenny bit wouldn't buy you half a button on any of our fashion pieces, Mr Selfridge.
Does anyone have anything that they can sell me for this? Yes? You can buy a bag of bull's-eyes for a penny in confectionery, Mr Selfridge.
Freddie Squires.
He's the eldest son of Lord Squires.
They have a large estate in Northumberland.
It's too far and cold.
We should stick to the Home Counties.
Well, there's Robin Brackenbury.
He's a Viscount.
He's terribly stupid, but that can be a benefit.
I'm sorry, what are you talking about? The next step.
A suitable young man.
When Rosalie eventually marries, she will marry for love, not for money, or a title.
How lucky she is.
Most mothers use their children to make their mark on the world.
It's what I would have done.
Do you know, Rosalie is very fortunate that you've taken such an interest in her.
But you now feel that that interest should come to an end? No, not at all.
No, maybe you're right.
Why not introduce her to some eligible young men? There can't be any harm to it.
You are coming to my soiree, tomorrow evening? I am.
Well, then, do bring the dear girl along.
The decision as to who will become Senior Assistant will be made this week.
I will interview you both over the next two days.
- Thank you, Mr Grove.
- Thank you, Mr Grove.
How often does Mrs Crabb shop here? Mrs Crabb keeps a tight rein on the household economy, Mr Selfridge.
No luxury items.
She generally confines her purchases to household goods.
Mmm.
But we have household goods here.
Erm We don't price them keenly enough.
Is that what you're saying? She is a very thrifty woman, Mr Selfridge.
But she will be shopping here.
She did mention paying a visit, yes.
So the old man's stealing a march on me.
We'll see about that.
I would like to try discounting certain items all around the store, just as an experiment.
But it is that the image we want to project? Selfridges is for anyone and everyone.
- Umbrellas, Miss Mardle.
- Umbrellas, Mr Selfridge? Yes, it's raining cats and dogs outside.
- Drop the prices 50%.
- 50%, Mr Selfridge? Why not? It's not just about pushing products, it's about encouraging people through the doors.
Perhaps, if this goes well, we could make a big event of it? Hold a mid-season sale, not just at New Year? Miss Mardle, I love it.
That's a great idea.
If we do it, it must look beautiful.
- Simple items, displayed well.
- Windows.
Of course.
Sort through your stock and figure out which items to discount.
Good luck to you all.
Mr Selfridge, I have to talk with you on a rather delicate matter.
- Miss Bunting, late of fashion - I know who Miss Bunting is.
It seems she has fallen on rather hard times.
If we could only write her a reference of some sort - I don't write references for people who are dishonest.
There you have it.
I'm sorry.
We've got trouble.
Put them somewhere discreet.
Very good to see you at the Palm Court again, Miss Love.
Thank you, Mr Colleano.
If you come this way, I'll get you seated.
I'd like my old table, in the middle.
This is where Mr Selfridge usually sits.
Well, he's not there now, is he? But he will be soon, Miss.
It's his morning rounds.
Well, you can move me when he arrives, can't you? - How did it go? - Oh, he's a pet.
He was ever so nice to me.
I thought he was gonna offer me the job there and then.
Best of luck.
Miss Millar In you come.
So, what do you think you would bring to the role of Senior Assistant? Well, I'm good with customers.
They like me.
And so do other staff.
That's important, isn't it? It is indeed.
Where do you see your career going? Going? Would you like to become Head of Department, for example? I used to think I would, but I don't know any more.
I don't want to end up like Miss Bunting no husband, no children, noone to look after her.
- Miss Bunting's situation is quite unusual.
- I want family.
Is that so very wrong? No.
No, it isn't.
I've just talked myself out of a job, haven't I? Not necessarily.
I do appreciate your honesty.
Now, I have to be honest with you.
I'm afraid Mr Selfridge has refused to give Miss Bunting a reference.
I did try.
I'm sure you did your best.
Thank you, Miss Millar.
Thank you, Tony.
What a treat.
We need to discuss the menus for the duration of the sale, Mr Perez.
- I hadn't envisaged them changing, Mr Selfridge.
- Well, I have.
There'll be people with less money in their pocket.
What can we offer? The Palm Court is already busy, without accommodating .
.
well, less salubrious customers.
We need special offers in every department.
If Woolworths do it, so can we.
We could think about a new set menu, Mr Perez.
The menu is not your concern, Mr Colleano.
I want to make food accessible to everyone who walks through those doors.
- Now, is my table ready? - Harry.
Why, Mr Selfridge.
Miss Love.
- Travers.
- Selfridge.
Tony's brought me shopping.
Although I'm no longer 'the Spirit of the store', I hope I'm still welcome.
Of course you are and how have you been since Well, I heard .
.
that you left the Gaiety.
The Gaiety, yes.
That seems like a very long time ago now.
Another life.
Before Tony.
Miss Love's taking a principal role in my new play.
She's absolutely brilliant.
Oh, darling.
It's true.
We open in a few weeks.
You should come along, you might enjoy it.
I'm sure that I would.
It was good seeing you both.
Next time they come in, let me know.
- I don't wanna bump into them.
- Very good, Mr Selfridge.
Mm.
Very good.
But when would I serve them? Wait until the guests are getting hot and running out of things to say to each other.
Bring them in on trays.
Make them an event.
Yes, I suppose that would work.
And say the best confectionery chef in town's made them.
Might find a backer for our new restaurant.
There's a place come up in Windmill Street.
I'd like to show it to you.
You're not expecting me to go to Soho, are you? If we don't move fast, it'll go.
Victor, don't rush me, dear heart.
You know I hate to be rushed.
Instruct the kitchen about the ice cream.
Oh, and then let yourself out the back way.
We don't want you bumping into the guests, do we? - Oh, look, let me help you.
- No, it's done.
Take a seat.
Supper was lovely, thank you.
You're being polite.
I'm a very bad cook.
Cigarette? No, thank you.
- It's beautiful.
- Mm.
What is it? It's an opera called La Boheme.
What's it about? Two students.
Very poor, very much in love.
You see everything like a story, or a play, don't you? Design needs story.
And creativity, it is play.
One day, I want to have a job like yours.
You're using me, Miss Towler.
You pretend to like me, because you want my job.
You found me out.
Much better.
You're quite beautiful, you know that? You want this? You're sure? Yes, I do.
What if I make an idiot of myself, out with you and Pa? Then we'll go home and laugh about it.
But you won't.
Ready? Here you are.
How lovely.
Rosalie, I have some young people who are dying to meet you.
Robin Brackenbury, and his younger brother, Richard, this is Rosalie Selfridge.
Can I get you a glass of champagne, Miss Selfridge? No, let me.
Now, who do you both know? But, of course, your old friend from across the water.
- FW's here.
- He told me he's building a skyscraper in New York.
It'll be the tallest in the whole city.
Can you imagine? Well, he isn't short of a dime or two.
He's vying for your crown, isn't he, Harry? London can accept one American king of commerce, but two? Oh, it's de trop Well, Harry, you're coming to the big opening? I'll try my best to be there.
I might be busy.
- Our sale opens the door before.
- A sale, at Selfridges? That I've gotta see.
Is that so very surprising? Well, it doesn't seem like that sort of establishment.
Doesn't ring any registers, if you know what I mean.
That's a matter of opinion.
How do you cut your prices to the bone? Buy in bulk, squeeze your suppliers to the lowest price.
Pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap.
Big turnover, small profit margin.
It's not magic, but it takes experience to do it right.
Mm.
Oh, and forget the fancy service.
Let your customer help himself.
Well, at Selfridges, shopping has to be about quality service.
Then you will never get your prices low enough.
Take my advice, stick with your Duchesses, Harry.
Leave the regular folk to me.
- Looking lovely this evening, Rose.
- Thank you, Frank.
I'm so sorry that Jennie couldn't make it, this evening.
Yeah, she isn't feeling tip-top.
In fact, I should get back to her pretty soon.
- I wonder how our girl is doing? - I should go and check on her.
- Make sure she's all right.
- Thank you.
Well, I try to practise at home, but I'm not very good.
You do? Rosalie.
Oh, Mother.
This is Roderick Temple.
Hello.
I thought you were in Paris.
I got back last week.
Of course, you know each other already.
Roddy did that lovely painting of you.
Rosalie? Oh.
It was lovely meeting you.
You too.
I heard your paintings were well received.
You know, I came here hoping to see you.
What are you doing? I'm a married woman.
Nothing happened.
Nothing's going to happen.
I am so very happy for your success.
Now, if you will please excuse me You have a very lovely daughter, Mrs Selfridge.
Where have you been hiding her? Come along or we'll be late.
Do you have your prayer book, Beatrice? - Yes.
- Gordon? - Yeah.
- Where's Rosalie? - She has a headache.
She's asked to be excused from church.
Quickly now.
Josie.
I was just sorting through some of Hettie's things.
Perhaps I could help you.
All the years we've known each other, - I've never been inside your house.
- Well, here it is.
My little retreat.
It is rather chaotic, I'm afraid.
I'm sorting through some of her clothes.
I was I was going to send these away to charity, but I have a relative in need.
I'm trying to see what's suitable.
You're always so thoughtful.
No, it just Well, it seems a waste, to throw it all away.
I miss her so much.
- So this is Spitfield? - Spitalfields.
I'm amazed you've never been here.
I thought you might get some inspiration.
This is where real people do their shopping.
And I am not a real person? That's what you're saying? You? No.
You're a fairy prince from a story book.
Well I'll take that as a compliment.
Didn't you ever go to the markets when you were a little kid? I bet they've got some good ones in France.
Oh, yes, they have, but mine wasn't that sort of childhood.
In your enchanted palace! - It was a chateau, yes.
- Oh.
And there was no enchantment there, believe me.
Look, they cram every square inch with stuff, don't they? Thank you.
- Hello, Victor.
- Blimey.
You come into some money, or something? All those flowers! They were going cheap, at the market.
So So what are you doing here? Just thought I'd look you up.
Well, Mrs Payne's at her sister's, so do you want to come in for a cup of coffee? Yeah, lovely.
Looks nice in here.
Well, I've cheered it up a bit.
Now this isn't Italian, or anything like that, not like you're used to.
Ta.
It's good.
Thanks.
Just what the doctor ordered.
Are you all right, Victor? Me? I'm fine.
Never better.
So how is your restaurant plan going? Still got your mysterious investor on board? Ah, that.
I don't think she was ever serious.
Oh, I am sorry.
Not as sorry as me.
What a fool I've been.
'Come here, Victor.
Good boy.
Sit up and beg.
Roll over and I'll give you a biscuit.
' So I sat up, I begged, I roll over and, do you know what? No biscuit.
It's so mean.
So what what are you gonna do now, then? I'm gonna get that restaurant in the end and, when I do, it'll be the best place in town.
Can't keep Victor Colleano down, can they? Too right they can't.
I have missed our Tuesday evenings.
What is it? Roger? This is all wrong.
Hettie's hardly in her grave.
Here I am with you, in her house, amongst her things.
You're feeling guilty, but you shouldn't.
I broke my marriage vows for 12 years.
You looked after her for 12 years.
If I'd thought ever that you actually loved her I don't know any more.
Perhaps we shouldn't see each other for a while.
- It may become clearer how we feel.
- I know how I feel.
I'm sorry.
Truly, I am.
You must be patient with me, Josie.
Yes.
Yes, of course.
Break it down to the stem.
- Here? - Mm-hm.
Right there.
You have to make sure that it's lighter on one side and then Mother, you're back early.
You were excused from church, because I thought you were poorly.
It appears you've made a remarkable recovery.
Mr Temple very kindly offered to give me a drawing lesson.
On a Sunday, when everybody's out of the house? He's very busy.
I'm putting on an exhibition at the gallery.
I was going to ask you if I could show your portrait.
I suggest we discuss that another time.
Mr Selfridge will be home soon and I think he might question the propriety of this so-called drawing lesson.
I'll see you out.
I hope to see you again, Miss Selfridge.
Your drawing shows great promise.
What do you think you're doing? Rosalie asked me to come.
She's very sweet.
Don't you use her to get close to me.
I meet a charming girl at a soiree and she asks me to give her drawing lessons.
Is there anything wrong with that? Not if that were the whole truth, but you know that it isn't.
Oh, so do I have your permission to call on her again? Certainly not.
You must never come here again.
Do you understand? If that's the way you feel - Morning.
- Morning.
Excuse me.
Now, for my window, Miss Ravillious Are you proposing putting ladies underwear in the window, Mr Leclair? Nothing would delight me more.
What a vision it could create.
- No, sadly convention decrees otherwise.
- What a pity.
So what do you suggest? Men's shoes.
I need a hundred pairs.
Why? A friend took me to the East End markets.
- It was inspiring.
- I see.
Well, who are we to stand in your way? Miss Towler, go to the men's department and ask for 100 pairs of shoes for Mr Leclair.
Yes, Miss Ravillious.
Thank you, Miss Towler.
Thank you, Miss Ravillious.
The point about the sale, Gordon, isn't just to sell goods cheaply, it's more than that.
I want hard-working, everyday people to come in.
I want everyone in London to feel welcome here.
- Good morning, Miss Blenkinsop.
- Good morning, Mr Selfridge.
Mr Colleano from the Palm Court is here to see you.
- He doesn't have an appointment.
- I have a very busy morning, - so I'll give you three minutes.
- It's about ice cream.
- Ice cream? - Sounds good, Pa.
- Maybe I'll give you five.
Excuse me, Miss Mardle.
I need 1,000 handkerchiefs for my window, please.
All white.
Well, you heard him, ladies.
1,000 handkerchiefs.
What's got her? She's as grumpy as a suet pud.
Miss Millar, these are the clothes for that charity that we discussed.
Thank you, Mr Grove.
Mr Grove, have you decided on the Senior Assistant job yet? I have.
Would you ask Miss Mardle to please come to my office? I will give her my decision.
Mr Perez is right.
The Palm Court's gonna be packed out during the sale, so I thought, 'Why don't we bring the food to the customers?' We could sell it on trays all round the store, just like in the World Fairs.
Candied fruit, ice cream cornets, all for a penny.
Pa, it's a great idea.
We should have hamburgers.
Why not? Why the blazes not? Mr Colleano, I love it.
You do whatever you need to do to make it work.
You tell Mr Perez, from me, this is your show.
Thank you, Mr Selfridge.
Miss Mardle, thank you for being so swift.
I just thought we should resolve the matter of the Senior Assistant.
I interviewed both girls.
I consider Doris Millar to be the best girl for the job.
Oh? Well, I must disagree with you entirely.
Miss Millar is a very nice, young girl, but she has no drive, no ambition.
Kitty Hawkins should have the post.
May I ask why? She's sharper, harder.
Which means she won't be taken advantage of.
Josie, please.
May I ask if you've come to any decision regarding the matter we spoke of on Sunday? No, it's too soon, I'm afraid.
I'm sorry.
Then please allow me to make this decision.
I think I know my staff better than you do.
And, if I may say so, I think I know my own mind rather better than you know yours.
You may be right.
It was very close and you are both extremely able young ladies.
I have, however, decided.
Miss Hawkins is to become Senior Assistant to Miss Mardle.
Thank you, Mr Grove.
Miss Mardle, I won't let you down.
I'm going to be the best Senior Assistant this store has ever seen.
Very good.
'Something for everyone.
The thrifty housewife's dream.
' What do you say to that as a strap line? Would Mrs Crabb bite? - She's already very excited about the sale.
- Excellent.
That's exactly what I wanna hear.
Double our advertising space.
Let the whole of London know there is something for everyone at our mid-season sale.
- Good night.
- Night.
Excuse me.
Excuse - excuse me.
Thank you.
Excuse me, sir.
Thanks ever so much.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Oh.
Well, I hope they fit.
I'm sure they will.
You're a very kind girl, Doris, thank you.
Did Mr Grove get a chance to talk to Mr Selfridge about my reference? I'm sorry, Miss Bunting, but Mr Selfridge said no.
I see.
Well, of course he would.
Nothing else he could say, I suppose.
I've got to go.
- Keep in touch, won't you? - Yes.
Yes.
Well, this is it.
Selfridges' first mid-season sale.
Thank you all for your hard work.
This sale has come from your ideas and your initiative.
I have one question before we open those doors.
Does anyone have anything they can sell me for this? Ladies, please, an orderly line.
- I saw this first.
- I think I did.
Ladies, we have other camisoles just as beautiful.
I don't know.
I just don't know.
Oh, it suits you, madam.
I don't normally wear such big hats.
Well, perhaps you should.
Surprise your husband.
It's only four and 11 pence.
Go on.
I would.
Thank you, sir.
Mr Selfridge, I wanted to introduce you to Mrs Crabb.
Mrs Crabb, well, I'm so glad you could come today.
- Are you enjoying yourself? - Oh, yes, Mr Selfridge.
Found anything to buy? From nearly every department.
Items that I wouldn't normally consider to be quite 'us'.
I'm afraid Mr Crabb's going to get a shock.
Your sales made me feel quite adventurous.
That's the idea.
It is good to shop, isn't it? Mrs Crabb, it's very good.
Here you are, madam.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
FW, you made it.
- What do you think? - I have to say, Harry, this is swell.
Let's hope all the ladies have enough money in their purses for your opening tomorrow.
We're putting the opening back.
I need to take Jennie away.
Nerves, you know how she gets.
- I'm so sorry.
- I should've noticed earlier.
I've been caught up with business.
We're buying a new site in Croydon.
That's good.
Nothing's good if Jennie's unhappy.
Listen, if there's anything that Rose and I can do Thank you, old friend.
I just looked in to say goodbye.
Harry, all this, you know, it's wonderful, but it's not what life's all about.
Not really.
Without your family, none of it means a thing.
I just wanted to give you the figures for the day's takings, Mr Selfridge.
Truly exceptional.
Every department doubled its output.
We may have cut our prices, but we sold at huge quantity.
We'll run the sale for two weeks and then do surprise discounts on certain items.
- I'll get these figures put in the ledger.
- No, we should both go home.
You can see what surprises Mrs Crabb has in store for you.
She was talking about an automatic nut cracker.
Well done, Mr Crabb.
Good night.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Good night.
Such an interesting exhibition.
I'm so glad you persuaded me to go.
- Thank you, Fraser.
- The children seem to be having fun.
I think they find the young gentleman very entertaining, madam.
What young gentleman? Mr Temple, madam.
- You think it's this one? - Yeah.
You think it's this one? Aaah! Ma! Mr Temple, could I have a word with you, in private? I can't believe that you would show yourself here again.
I can't seem to help myself, can I? Your younger children are quite charming, by the way.
You're not welcome here.
- If I were to tell my husband - But you won't, will you? Because you have so much more to lose than I do.
Look, come to my studio, then Then I won't have to come here.
You're insufferable.
Rosalie doesn't think so.
Mr Temple? Think it over.
Well, I must tear myself away.
Thank you, Fraser.
Good evening, Mrs Selfridge.
- Beautiful evening, sir.
- You're right, it is.
Half of London want to see how we pay tribute to Sir Ernest Shackleton.
I'm not an easy man to impress, Harry.
There's staff missing from every department.
Where's our staff? Are you in love with Mr Leclair? Agnes Towler.
Valerie Maurel.
- It's Roddy Temple.
- I'll handle Mr Temple.