The Gilded Age (2022) s01e05 Episode Script

All clear.
Remember, if anyone asks, you know nothing.
Where do you think you're going? Out.
Don't be clever with me, Missy.
Are you planning to meet someone? If so, I forbid it.
If you would only explain my crime, - the one I'm being punished for.
- Certainly.
You meet young men.
You correspond with them.
- Not this again.
- Do you deny it? If you won't let me go into society, Mother, I must find some society for myself.
Get upstairs, take off your hat, and I will see you in the drawing room later.
How long do you propose to keep her incarcerated? Until I've brought her out.
She should be out now.
Ask this Baldwin boy to dinner.
We can look him over and learn the worst.
Perhaps we'll like him.
Archie Baldwin is not what I want.
Why not? He's the son of a senior diplomat with a house on Fifth Avenue and another in Newport.
I want more than that.
But what is there more than that? You'll see when I find what I'm looking for.
Well, we can't keep the girl locked up forever.
If you force her into secrecy, you're taking a risk.
Leave Gladys to me.
Yes, Turner? The seamstress is here, ma'am, and I want to be sure which skirt you'd like cut down for Miss Gladys.
I'll come now.
Take the salad up now.
It can wait on the sideboard.
Anything nice planned for your afternoon off, Miss Armstrong? What's it to you? How about a piece of apple pie to take with you? That would be a treat.
Thank you.
Mr.
Bannister's waiting for the lady to change, then he'll announce luncheon.
She better get a move on, or the escalopes will spoil.
And where does all this take place? Miss Barton opened the first Red Cross branch in Dansville last year, so I expect it'll be more organized from now on.
Dansville, New York? She's holding a meeting there soon to make an announcement.
Aurora Fane's going, and she's been a champion of Miss Barton from the start.
And you'd like to accompany her.
I would.
I feel strongly about it.
Really, Aunt Agnes, anyone would think you were against charity.
Charity has two functions in our world, my dear.
The first is to raise funds for the less fortunate, which is wholly good.
The second is to provide a ladder for people to climb into society who do not belong there.
And that is wholly bad? Not wholly, perhaps, but it should give us pause.
Very well.
You may go.
But ask Miss Scott to accompany you.
I don't entirely trust Aurora these days, not since I learned Mrs.
Chamberlain - was on her guest list.
- Oh, well shall we tidy ourselves before luncheon, dear? And I think Pumpkin needs a walk.
Is that "The New York Globe"? Did they publish your story? See for yourself.
You are to be congratulated.
What an achievement! Thank you.
The things we said when I came to Brooklyn, those idiotic shoes I don't need a fairy godmother.
I know, but I think I came to your parents' house as much as anything because I was curious.
It seems to me Mr.
Raikes knows more about your life than I do.
He's a lawyer.
He understands how to find things out I need to know.
And I don't.
Look, we fell out.
Let's not make it worse.
You have a good heart, but I run my own life.
- Is that clear? - Yes.
Is this a trick? - Really, Larry? - Give us some credit.
One minute, I'm under arrest for receiving a letter from Archie, and now you're asking him to dinner? She's right.
What are we supposed to think? We'd like to meet Mr.
Baldwin.
Yes, it's time we met Mr.
Baldwin.
I will relay your invitation.
Just give me his address, and I'll invite him for next Friday.
- Will you make a party of it? - I don't think so.
Mrs.
Scott.
Did you see Peggy? Uh, no.
They told me she was out.
Maybe she had a meeting at "The Globe" with Mr.
Fortune.
Are you taking those to the mailbox? Mm-hmm.
I suppose after your visit the other day, Peggy said terrible things about her father.
She hasn't said anything, terrible or otherwise.
But you can see they don't get along? As far as I can tell, Peggy feels her father forced her into a course of action she regrets.
Parents do things to protect their children, whether they like it or not.
Peggy belongs in Brooklyn.
It's nice she has her job, but she will only live a half life here.
She likes the work.
But there is more to life than work, and Peggy cannot live your life.
I suppose not.
In Brooklyn, she could meet a suitable husband, have her own family, and walk through front doors instead of the back entrances.
I hadn't thought of that.
I know Peggy is fond of you.
She wouldn't stay here if she wasn't.
But family is a precious gift.
It isn't right for us to be at odds.
I believe Peggy loves you very much, Mrs.
Scott.
The past won't let go of her, but she loves you.
Bless you for saying so, Miss Brook.
Mother? I thought you'd never get here.
I'm not late, am I? How should I know? I just lie in this bed all day.
I brought your things.
No surprises there, I'll bet.
You give me the list, I buy what you ask for.
If you want something different next week, write it down.
Yeah, yeah.
- How's Mr.
Sternberg? - I never see him.
When he gets here, he sleeps.
When he wakes, he leaves.
But he still fetches a bucket of water every morning.
That's kind of him.
It's part of his rent.
Hadn't you better get started? You know I'm too ill to manage.
Or are you so taken up with enjoying yourself? Will Aunt Agnes let you go? If I take her secretary as a chaperone.
Aren't I enough? She thinks I'm fast, doesn't she? I knew it.
She's not trying to stop me going.
She's been so generous to Miss Scott.
Do you find it surprising? I think she admires people who help themselves.
Even if they're colored? It doesn't seem to matter to her.
Well, good for Aunt Agnes.
Now I have a favor.
I've invited Mrs.
Russell here to lunch to meet Mr.
McAllister, and I need you to help me make it run smoothly.
- Mrs.
Astor's Mr.
McAllister? - The very one.
Does he want to meet Mrs.
Russell? With any luck, he'll be curious about her money and about her house.
She's trying to find her feet in New York, and I'm afraid he's the gatekeeper she must pass to achieve it.
Is that his role? He is Cerberus, snarling and growling to protect his Mystic Rose, as he likes to call her.
Is Mrs.
Astor aware of all this? She is when it suits her.
She uses him to filter the new arrivals.
Hmm.
So Mr.
McAllister's opinion is important? Is any of it important? I wonder if you'd invite Mr.
Raikes.
Mr.
Raikes? Is he the handsome one we met at the Academy? I'll ask him, if you like.
He may not be able to get away.
Don't worry.
He'll come.
How can you be so sure? I'll tell him you'll be there.
You call that lunch? I thought it was what you wanted.
It tasted like you found it in the garbage pail.
Did you try the pie? It's over there, if you want it.
Oh, Mother.
What's the matter? Come and sit over here while I make your bed.
You're pinching me! Aurora has invited Mrs.
Russell to luncheon? She has.
And who else will be there? The latest arrivals from Ellis Island? I'm going, and so is Mr.
McAllister.
Oh, dear.
Don't we approve of him either? He spends his life puffing people up or putting them down.
Mrs.
Astor needs her lieutenants.
Do you like Mrs.
Astor? Hmm, that's like saying "do you like rain?" She is a fact of life that we must live with.
Whom else has Aurora invited? Not many.
I'd say we're just there to take the edge off their meeting.
Really, that woman has the resilience of a cockroach.
Dear me, should we send John to carry out some pest control? If only we could.
Miss Gladys says they may take on a real lady's maid to look after her.
And if they do? I've been doing the job for a while now, and I've had no complaints.
But you're only a housemaid.
I've learned so much from you, Miss Turner.
I know I could do it after your teaching.
- I know it.
- Wha Don't be ridiculous.
You really think you could be a proper lady's maid? I know I could.
I copy every detail of Miss Turner's work.
I've studied her like a novice in a convent.
Miss Turner is no nun, I assure you.
Miss Gladys, may I have a word? Of course.
Come in.
Before you ring for Adelheid, may I ask you something? She would like to be considered for the post of your lady's maid.
I know.
Do you approve of the idea? As long as I will have no more governesses.
My mother may use Adelheid's inexperience as an excuse to hire a governess as well.
But if we can avoid that, you like the girl? Very much.
Then I'll see what I can do.
You are the first person to ask my opinion on any decision concerning myself, any decision whatever.
There you are.
I'm home early.
I've had my meeting, and there's no point in going back to the office.
We're almost there with the station, so it's full steam ahead.
You're very quiet.
Mr.
McAllister has confirmed that he's coming to Mrs.
Fane's luncheon.
Hallelujah.
Let the trumpets sound.
You laugh, but tomorrow I'm going to be at a luncheon with Ward McAllister.
It means a lot to me, George.
In which case, of course, it means a lot to me.
We are getting there.
Don't you see? All the things we promised ourselves - when we first married.
- Things you promised yourself.
The point is, we're finally getting to where we belong.
I always felt I was where I belonged, because I had you.
You mean you needed me to steer us in the right direction.
And now lunch with Mr.
McAllister will make your dreams come true? He's the gatekeeper, so, yes, it could.
And I will make it my business to see that it does.
Hmm.
How did you get her to ask him? She was delighted to.
Does Mr.
Raikes enjoy it playing around in high society? - He seems to.
- Ah.
More than he expected, I'd say.
But when you're a handsome, young man, all you need is a decent tailcoat, and you're invited everywhere.
What about when he settles down? If he's got used to that way of life, won't it be hard to give it up? He wasn't used to it before, and nor was I.
We're both from Doylestown, where life wasn't about whose guest list you're on.
By the way, I should have said, your mother was here earlier.
She'd come for you, but you were out, so she spoke to me.
About what? She wants you home, and she gave a good argument for it.
She shouldn't have involved you.
Good evening, Miss Scott.
Miss Brook.
I'll leave you.
While we're alone, who's actually going to Aurora's luncheon? Tom Raikes.
Was it rather sly not to say? I don't want Aunt Agnes to take against him before they get to know each other.
She's taken against him already, as you are aware, so you're too late to head that off at the pass.
But you haven't.
Have you? He's not what we've planned.
I can't deceive you there.
"The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley".
Robbie Burns.
"Love makes fools of all of us".
William Thackeray.
How was your day? Lovely.
Thank you, Mrs.
Bauer.
- And you enjoyed the pie? - Oh, very much.
It's good to spoil yourself now and again.
That's what I've been doing all day spoiling myself.
You're a lucky one, Miss Armstrong.
And don't I know it? Oh, yes, I'm the lucky one.
But how could I be sure the girl was performing her duties as she should? - Gladys wouldn't know.
- I can do that.
And you will report back to me? I'll tell you anything I think you should know.
Very well.
We will promote Adelheid, and between the two of us, we will manage Miss Gladys.
What's this? Mrs.
Bruce has persuaded me to let Gladys have a lady's maid and not to hire another governess.
- Well done, Mrs.
Bruce.
- Don't I get any praise? Well done, you.
- You won't be sorry.
- I'm sorry now.
He's here.
Who else has arrived? Mrs.
Russell and Charles, but Mr.
McAllister is fashionably late.
Mm.
That's his final word on the subject? - Not exactly.
- Oh.
- Good day.
- Oh, Miss Brook.
- My apologies for - How did you contrive this? I thought it might interest you.
How are you getting on? - In what way? - The conquest of New York.
It's not the conquest that interests me.
Mrs.
Fane has been talking about the work of Miss Barton.
I hear you're a great supporter.
I try to be.
I want that is, my husband and I both want to help her in her efforts, and I thought I might go with Mrs.
Fane to her event at Dansville.
- Will you be there? - I will.
We can all travel together.
What's this? Miss Brook, our hostess, and I are going to Dansville to hear Miss Barton speak.
You'll have to stay the night.
It's such a journey 200 miles at least.
You're right.
It's too far to return the same day.
- Why did she choose Dansville? - I think Dansville chose her.
How can we find out where to stay? Let me arrange it for you.
- There's no need.
- I'd like to.
Could you include me in your travel plans? Of course.
To finish that story I'm going with you both to Dansville to support Miss Barton.
It's a good way for you to start.
In the meantime, I intend to make a reasonably generous donation.
That's an even better way to start.
Oh.
Although it may not be without its complications.
Mr.
Ward McAllister.
My dear Mrs.
Fane.
Please forgive me if I'm late, but we were arguing over the wine for tonight.
Whom were you arguing with? My butler, Perryman, who thinks he knows everything.
It's different for me.
I do know everything.
- But do you know Miss Brook? - I know of Miss Brook.
And how is Mrs.
Van Rhijn and your dear Aunt Ada? Very well.
They'll be pleased to hear your remember them.
And you must be? Mrs.
George Russell, may I present Mr.
Ward McAllister? - What a pleasure.
- Mr.
McAllister.
- Here's Charles.
- Ah.
And this is Mr.
Raikes, newly arrived and already cutting a swathe through the city.
Hardly.
I can easily believe it.
How do you do? Let us hope I may be of help to you, Mr.
Raikes.
Shall we go into luncheon? - Oh, how nice.
- Right this way.
I hope I'm sitting near you, Mrs.
Russell.
I want to hear all about your husband's railroad empire.
Then I guess you'll have to speak to Mr.
Russell.
Oh, but I don't want the facts, only the gossip.
Oh! Dressed as a lady's maid, I see.
She is a lady's maid.
It's strange when there's no upstairs luncheon.
I think it's nice, like a holiday.
Where's Miss Gladys? She goes to her painting class on Mondays.
Not even the dragon can stop her.
Will she be meeting her young man? What young man is that? Miss Gladys's friend who's coming for dinner, Mr.
Baldwin.
They must be planning to accept him, make him one of the family.
I'm not so sure.
The mistress has big dreams for Miss Gladys.
Then why allow him in the house? That's quite enough on the subject.
Beautifully done.
Mrs.
Fane's to be congratulated.
Do you have a good cook? Oh, hadn't you better ask my guests? Do I know them? How can I answer that? Shall I tell you what I think, Mrs.
Russell? I think you have a very good chef - French, of course - Of course.
And a fine palace of a house, but I don't believe your guest list is quite what you would like it to be.
Mr.
McAllister, you see through me as if I were glass.
We can mend that.
You and Mrs.
Astor? Me and the people I will introduce you to.
I'd love to think you would be my protector.
For now.
But fairly soon, I'd say you'll be protecting me.
Mrs.
Russell and Mr.
McAllister seem to be getting on well.
Why wouldn't they, when they are more or less the same person? Oh! Whoa, steady.
Oh, thank you so much.
It's Mr.
Van Rhijn, isn't it? I'm sorry, do we know each other? Not really.
I've seen you, but you wouldn't have noticed me.
That sounds modest and unlikely.
I'm Mrs.
Russell's maid.
You've come for dinner a few times.
Much to my mother's fury.
- What? - Never mind.
But you haven't been here for a while, have you, sir? No, I haven't.
And I know why.
Are you going to enlighten me? It was a pity you backed off when Mr.
Russell had that trouble with the city alderman.
I thought he'd be too busy to bother with me.
You mean you weren't sure he'd survive the scandal.
Mm, that's not true.
He's also got it into his head that you're interested in Miss Gladys.
I like her enormously.
He's determined on a love match for her.
- He wants her to be happy.
- Of course he does.
And so do I.
Well, I should be off.
Are you going anywhere interesting? Only for a walk.
Mrs.
Russell is out, and I won't be needed before half past 3:00 or 4:00.
Could we meet in the park in an hour by Shakespeare's statue? I have an idea you could be helpful to me.
But aren't you on your way to visit Mrs.
Van Rhijn? I am.
And I will see you by the statue in an hour.
"I should be grateful to be kept up to date.
Blah, blah, blah.
Yours sincerely".
And now we must stop.
It'll be luncheon soon.
It's very good of you to accompany Miss Marian in her quest.
I'm glad to go.
I intend to hear Miss Barton's speak and to ask her some questions.
If this is for your journalistic endeavors, please don't tell me more than I want to know.
Very well.
You're a determined young woman, aren't you, Miss Scott? - Is that wrong? - Not at all.
You'll meet obstacles in your way.
You're a colored woman, to name two of them.
You need determination to get anywhere.
Miss Marian is determined, too, but she can be reckless.
That is why I'm counting on you.
I've been reckless in the past.
Then you'll know what I mean.
I will not spy on her, Mrs.
Van Rhijn.
I'm not asking you to spy.
Just make sure she's safe.
Luncheon is served, ma'am.
Miss Ada is already in the dining room.
Thank you, Bannister.
What service! You said you'd manage things, but not that you'd be here.
How could I be sure it would be done properly without me? - You're not sorry, I hope.
- Of course not.
We should leave the luggage and the maids here and go straight to the event we're late enough already.
Miss Scott is writing an article on Miss Barton for "The New York Globe", so she'll be with us.
And I think the others should come, too.
Why not, when they've come this far? Pardon me.
She is known as Miss Clara Barton, but we know her as Clara.
Her face and her form was seen in many a hospital I hope we haven't missed anything.
The point is, our presence will be recorded in the newspapers and Mrs.
Russell's.
That's what's important.
What is important? Mrs.
Fane thinks it may help if the newspapers print that we were here.
Your presence will be helpful - is that what you're saying? - It certainly will be, Anne.
Before coming here, Mrs.
Russell has been extremely generous to the Red Cross, for which we and Miss Barton are very grateful.
And her love that nerved our hearts - Pull yourself together.
- I understand.
The murderer's wife is trying to buy herself a place in society, and you're happy to take her money.
But aren't you ashamed? Do you think you're honoring Patrick by behaving like a child in his memory? You have been defiled.
Do you mean my presence has defiled Mrs.
Fane? And now let me welcome Miss Barton to address you.
Thank you all for making this journey to be with me today at what I hope will prove a momentous announcement in the history of our cause, because it now appears that we will be opening not one new branch, as I'd originally planned, but thanks to Mrs.
George Russell, we will be opening three.
Well done.
Well done.
Mrs.
Russell, will you be so good as to join me, please? If you'll excuse me.
Very good.
Anne, you are a fool.
You should never pick a fight before you know the facts.
I know the facts.
My husband is dead.
That's a fact.
My house is sold.
My money is gone.
And now you'll turn your back on me like all the others just to keep in with this potato digger's daughter.
You'll deny it, but you will.
As some of you may know, many causes have been and are close to my heart, but on this day, I give thanks for the work of the Red Cross.
And I ask you to consider the amount of suffering we will be able to alleviate under its banner.
- Thank you.
- Very good.
Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
- Wonderful! - Miss Barton.
- Miss Barton! Do you hope you go national at some point? Mrs.
Fane, Mrs.
Morris, Miss Brook, please join Mrs.
Russell and myself to make an inspection.
After such a pilgrimage, it is only fair.
And who is this, Miss Brook? Miss Scott, my aunt's secretary.
She is a great admirer of yours.
How do you do, Miss Scott? I'm glad to know you.
I'm also a writer for "The New York Globe", - the colored paper.
- Yes, I know it.
May I ask you some questions for my article? Of course.
Will the Red Cross extend its help to all who suffer, despite race? We will turn no one away who is in need, Miss Scott.
What is happening? Who is she? Miss Scott is with Marian and apparently also with the press.
It is unusual, I admit.
She's not coming in with us? I hope you'll join us, Miss Scott.
- Miss Barton.
- Miss Barton.
Miss Barton, a moment, please.
These are survivors of a local fire who were brought here two days ago.
- How is he today? - Oh Are you interested in the treatment of burn victims, - Mrs.
Russell? - Of course.
Our practice is not just to shelter, clothe, and feed those overtaken by disaster, but also to aid them as they try to rescue the means of support they enjoyed before disaster struck.
She has blood on her hands, but she shrieks at the sight of it.
Why do you say these things? Because I won't let her beat me.
- She has already beaten you.
- We'll see.
I hope for your sake that we won't.
Was Mrs.
Morris not able to stay? She had to get back to New York.
And Miss Scott, where is she? In her room writing her article.
I look forward to reading it.
I should go up.
I'm on the early train.
I'm giving a dinner tomorrow evening I mustn't be late for.
It was very good of you to come all this way, to say nothing of your amazing generosity.
Thank you.
You should thank Mr.
Russell.
He's very anxious to be of service.
I do thank him, most sincerely.
I look forward to our next meeting.
I'm sorry about Anne Morris.
I know about the quarrel, if that's what you mean.
You mustn't listen to everything she says about Mrs.
Russell.
Before you think me a simpleton, I'm well-aware that Mrs.
Russell is using the charity ladder to climb into the ballrooms of New York.
- Well - I can still be grateful she chose my charity to be that ladder.
I agree.
One thing I must ask do any of you know Mrs.
Chamberlain? That is Mrs.
Augustus Chamberlain.
Not really.
She has been generous to charity in the past, I know, but we If she wants, she can be very generous indeed.
And I am fully aware of her reputation.
I've met her a few times.
Could you interest her in my cause? I can try.
Aunt Agnes would never forgive me.
Surely there's more at stake here than Aunt Agnes's smelling salts.
I couldn't put it better myself.
People think anyone who gives their life to charity must be a kind of holy fool, when she is anything but.
To get things done these days, you must know your way around.
Miss Barton is living proof.
So are you, Mr.
Raikes.
You know your way around New York.
- What are you up to next week? - Not much.
I'm going to the Stuyvesant Ball on Thursday.
You do realize that a lot of all of this may come to an end one day? What's the matter? Don't you think I'll do well? I'm counting on it, but it may take some time.
We'd still be invited to parties.
- "We"? - Mm.
Just supposing you were to throw your lot in with me.
If I did, we couldn't hope to live as they live or anything like.
Number eight.
Here we are.
- Mm.
- Hmm.
Well, I guess I must wish you good night.
What else have you in mind? I'm I'm not brave enough to say.
Mr.
Raikes, don't tell me that is why you made the journey.
Not entirely.
Not at all, surely? A man can always hope.
He cannot hope for that.
Have I offended you? You've surprised me I grant you.
Let me surprise you some more.
Do you have your key, Miss Brook? There'll be a spare one downstairs - if you'd like me to fetch it.
- No, I have the key.
- Good night, Mr.
Raikes.
- Good night, Miss Brook.
Miss Scott.
You cannot imagine the scene we have just played out.
I don't have to.
I watched it.
On instruction from Aunt Agnes? No, but I thought you might need some help.
I know the signs.
You're cleverer than I am.
I didn't see it coming at all.
I have more experience than you.
What do you mean? You can't leave it like that.
Was there a man once? You've never told me anything about your life.
What was his name? Elias Finn.
He was a stock boy at my father's pharmacy.
I'd never been in love before.
And he kissed you? He changed my life.
Where is he now? My parents didn't approve.
And you gave in to them? You've met my father.
And you've met my aunt.
Mm, I guess we should both remember that there will be no mention of your aunt or my father in our wedding vows.
When and if they happen.
No.
But about the kiss Should I be insulted? Mm yes, if he thinks he can have you easily.
No, if he just wants you as much as you want him.
What do you mean, a spy? She'll tell me all I need to know about what goes on in that house.
For money? I will give her money, but I think she'll enjoy it.
I'd say she wants a little revenge on her employers.
The vengeful lady's maid sounds like a character in a melodrama.
Maybe, but I'll tell you this if she suspects the Russells don't want me for their daughter, she'll do everything in her power to promote my cause.
So it will be money well spent.
How was it? A long journey for a short stay at a nasty hayseed hotel.
You don't seem very downcast.
What's happened to you? I don't know what you mean.
You were down in the dumps for so long.
I've thought about your advice, Monsieur Baudin.
You said I should change things.
And now I intend to have some fun.
What a relief to have you safely back.
And what a journey for a speech.
Mrs.
Russell didn't spoil things? She's the heroine of the hour and has transformed the movement with a donation.
Miss Barton is much more of a reformer than I'd realized.
I do admire your Miss Barton.
Is there a fashionable cause she does not support? Surely you believe women will vote eventually.
Hmm, I believe in small and incremental change, not running around with a banner and a gun.
Is everything ready for tonight? Why such a fuss? A young man will be here to eat his dinner.
So what? It must mean they're coming round.
Who asked you? Miss Gladys says they wouldn't have him in the house otherwise.
It does seem that way to me.
There's no shortage of opinions about this, is there? All I know is, Mrs.
Russell plays a long game.
"In short, Miss Barton is a woman who understands the world's ills and the bond that will cure them, reminding us of the words in the Bible 'And now, abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity.
'" You've captured her perfectly.
And the essence of her work.
And you're right, she has made the Red Cross mean much more than offering aid to wounded men on the field of battle.
Thank you.
She stops charity from feeling patronizing.
Like people who give out old shoes? You have to remember, I never met a woman like you before I came to New York.
You mean colored? No.
More that you and Clara Barton are your own people.
The women I knew in Doylestown just accepted the role of wife and mother, but you make your own path.
I can't wait to see your article in print.
We'll just have to keep it from your Aunt Agnes.
We can add that to the list of what Aunt Agnes doesn't need to know.
I just hope Mr.
Fortune is happy with it.
Are you happy? Living here? Only your mother said I told you that's family business.
But I know what it's like to have your family taken from you.
Whatever your quarrel, one day your father will be gone, and you don't want the burden of regret that you never made it up when you could.
I don't think it would be heavier than what I'm carrying now.
Peggy.
It's late, and I have to check this before it's due.
But I'll say good night.
Is there anything else we can offer you, Mr.
Baldwin? By gosh, no.
That's the best dinner I've eaten all year.
How kind you are.
I shall be sure to tell our chef.
And your house is wonderful, Mrs.
Russell.
You have such lovely things.
It's like a museum.
Now, that I shall take as my own compliment.
Thank you.
Archie's parents are building a house in Newport, Mother.
I don't really know Newport.
Mr.
McAllister talked about it the other day at luncheon.
I guess he and Mrs.
Astor are kind of king and queen - of the place.
- Mm.
I suppose your parents will get to know them.
- They already do.
- Mm, think of that.
George, we should leave you to your port.
Larry, come with us.
I wouldn't mind a glass of port.
Then you shall have one in the drawing room.
Cable for Mr.
Russell.
It says "urgent".
I'll take it.
Tell them to lock up without me.
I guess you want to know my intentions, sir.
You're very young to have intentions.
And so is Gladys.
I'm 24.
It's the same age my father was when he got married.
And you want to marry my daughter? I think she's just about the best girl there is, sir.
She's clever and sensitive and beautiful You're not courting me, Mr.
Baldwin.
No, sir.
You want to be an investment banker, I understand.
I am an investment banker, but not Not in a very exciting position? - I know that will change.
- I'm sure.
And I can change it.
I'm sorry? Here's what I propose.
You have heard of the Seligman brothers? - Who hasn't, sir? - They're expanding fast.
They have an interest in digging the new canal in Panama, although they may regret it, in my opinion.
And they invest in many railroads, including my own.
They're big players, Mr.
Russell.
I have spoken to Abraham Seligman.
Not about me? Certainly about you, Mr.
Baldwin.
You have no objection to their being Jewish, I suppose? - Not at all, sir.
- Good.
As I say, I've discussed you with Mr.
Seligman and he is prepared to take you on as a broker, with excellent prospects.
In a few years, you could be a rich man.
I don't know what to say.
But you won't regret it, Mr.
Russell.
I promise I will make sure Gladys There are conditions.
What are they, sir? Just tell me.
You may send a final letter, and after that, you will never communicate with my daughter again.
You will not see her.
And if you encounter each other socially, you will avoid any contact, providing you can do so without causing comment.
But I-I thought You were mistaken, Mr.
Baldwin.
This is why you brought me here? I am sorry to say so, but it is.
What if I refuse? If you refuse, which you are, of course, fully entitled to do, then I will make sure that you never work in the financial sector of our economy again.
But that's what I do.
Not if you turn down my offer.
But be assured that I will honor it.
I meant it when I said you'd be rich.
How was it? What did he say? He was very generous in a way.
In what way? He wants to help me in my career.
But we don't have to do this now.
I'll write to you and explain.
- You made everything clear? - I did indeed.
We may regret it.
- He seems a decent fellow.
- He's not what I want.
And the sooner Gladys understands that, the happier she will be.
I should be going.
- Not yet, surely.
- Yes, I should.
But, Gladys you're a great girl, one of the best I've ever known or ever will know.
I mean that.
I don't understand.
Good night.
Good night, sir, and Mrs.
Russell.
Thank you for dinner, and God bless you all.
What have you done? What makes you think we've done anything? I know you.
You haven't spoiled things, Father? Not for Mr.
Baldwin.
You may be sure of that, my dear.
Mr.
Clay is here, sir.
He wants to see you very urgently.
Here, my dear.
It came off the rails just outside Millbourne, Pennsylvania.
We know there are three dead so far, with scores more badly injured.
Reports are pouring in.
Are the dead men, women, or children? They say it's three men so far, but we can't count on it.
You see, I think I love him.
Or don't you know what that means? I know what it means.
I promise you this I'll never ask anything of you that is not for your benefit in the end.
You want more for me than I want for myself.
That is my job.
I'm your mother.
I want the whole world for you, and I'll get it any way I can.
I should see what's brought Mr.
Clay here.
I'll go to Archie's office, find out what's happened.
And then what? Precisely.
Do they have any numbers? Three dead, but it will be more.
It's so awful.
Do we have a figure for the injured? Not yet.
Well, we knew it would happen to us one day, and now it has.
Can I do anything? Certainly.
You can wire Miss Barton tonight with the details.
Ask her to get to Millbourne, Pennsylvania, if she can.
We'll meet her there tomorrow.
Please say we'll give her whatever she may need.
I'll try to control the news coverage.
It could bring us down.
A bad crash could destroy the company and us.
Then make sure you survive it.