Mr Selfridge (2013) s01e07 Episode Script

Everyone, please, gather round.
Mr Grove's wife, Harriet, died in her sleep last night.
You don't steal from your work family.
I am so sorry, Mr Selfridge.
Come with me to Paris.
No.
Victor, do you want to do something after work tonight, then? I can't tonight.
Maybe another night.
He's taking it bad, isn't he, your Mr Leclair? He's not my Mr Leclair.
The night he crashed the motor he'd been gambling at the club.
He was knocking back the whiskey.
Toasting his father.
Your pa ain't no war hero.
He ain't dead either.
Harry! Harry! Whatever are you doing? I had this idea.
Put the clocks forward, buy us an extra five minutes! Why can't you sleep? Is it those hallucinations again? Those nightmares? I'm fine, Rose.
Just full of beans, is all.
You know me! Come back to bed.
You know, there was this moment there when I thought how am I going to live without this crazy man? I'm so sorry that I put you all through hell.
And you have my solemn promise that I intend driving you crazy for a long time.
Don't go in today.
Give us one more day together.
How about you come in for lunch instead? Yes.
She likes the idea.
And what if she can get her books signed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as a bonus? Yes.
Meantime, if you really can't sleep and you intend driving me crazy Look our best for Mr Selfridge's return.
He'll be a lucky man who gets you for a wife, Aggie.
No pastries from Victor in a while.
I'm not looking to be anybody's wife just now.
But there's someone for everyone, though George.
For you, yeah.
But who'd look at the likes of me? If you think like that, then you'll never notice if someone's looking or not.
There! Little things can make a big difference to a girl.
Right, George.
Kitty, polish that glass case again.
There cannot be a speck of dust on it.
Not a speck.
Good morning.
Good morning.
Careful, please, this is the Selfridge's perfume.
It has to be perfect.
Yes, Mr Leclair.
Do we know? Is he in the building? Oh, we'll know.
You can trust me on that.
Ladies, I was quite specific.
We're on blue today.
I said blue.
Look sharper, please.
Does your heart good eh? I for one shall be relieved to hand over the reins.
Mr Crabb, I can only apologise if I have not been quite myself.
My dear Mr Grove.
You are under immense pressure.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! Good morning, Mr Selfridge! Let's get those doors open, please! Business as usual.
Am I seeing right, Mr Crabb? I'm afraid so Mr Grove.
He's even faster! Good, good.
Wouldn't want to see standards slipping just because I wasn't here to check.
Of course not, Mr Selfridge.
May I enquire as to your health, today? Fit as a fiddle, thank you.
Keep up the good Oh, I am so sorry.
I don't know how that slipped my attention.
Get rid of it, please.
I don't want dead flowers in my store.
That is not the signal we want to get out.
Back at the helm, old chap.
With plans, Frank! Big plans.
Quite incorrigible.
May I have a quote for our readers? 'Back to the brink' sort of thing? How about life is for living? I like it! Damn Sorry, Frank, can't stop! Sir Arthur! Mr Selfridge! Good to see you in the land of the living.
I believe you had a very close call.
I very much look forward to our lunch.
So do I, Sir Arthur.
So do I.
Fine man.
Yes, Sherlock Holmes is not so much a reward but an affliction.
Can I help you, Mr Edwards? I'd like a set of your ivory-topped pencils, please.
Certainly, Mr Edwards.
For your interview with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? I've read everything he's written, Mr Edwards.
Everything.
Brains as well as the most beautiful coloured hair.
What would you call that? We call it strawberry blonde.
Some ladies add dye to their hair these days, but this is quite natural.
Of course.
For a natural beauty.
I'll take them.
Now I want you all to think.
What could we do better? Where could we be bigger? How can I personally improve my department? Standing still is the same as being dead in the water.
I hardly think we stand still, Mr Selfridge.
No, I know that.
It's just if my accident has taught me one thing, it's the future is now.
I want you to think of new product lines.
Fresh and exciting suppliers.
On we go! Miss Ravillious.
I'm personally grateful for your handling of the Suffragette crisis.
If there's anything - I'd like Miss Towler, if I may.
She's one of our most talented employees.
And therefore will improve my department.
Mm.
Simple logic, really.
There's something not right with these straps.
You're fussing.
The dress is exquisite.
No, there's something Ma, this isn't just any soiree tomorrow, you know.
Yes, I think we understand that, Rosalie.
A girl has to come out in London, Ma.
Otherwise she's never going to fit in.
Maybe you and Harry should go.
Lady Mae has offered to chaperone Rosalie on this occasion.
And I think it will do this one good.
To hold her head up and be an independent young lady.
The strap is fine.
The dress is fine.
You're fine.
Now, go! Lois? Harry I didn't see him before he left this morning.
He's fine.
He's still having those nightmares, isn't he? Lois, He's fine.
Why does he take such risks? Speeding like that.
I don't know what gets into him.
I don't know.
Maybe he's born that way.
Or you can blame yourself if it makes you feel better.
God knows it works for me.
Harry! John.
Good to see you.
Just checking on my investment, old boy.
Gave us quite a scare, I can tell you.
All in a day's work, keeping the press busy.
So, what's new in the business world? Well, there's talk about the adjacent buildings.
A developer sniffing.
I heard.
Let him sniff.
If we're to expand, we are going to need those buildings next door.
We've driven the prices so high this end of Oxford Street we should be safe enough until our stock issue.
Where are we with that? It's all in process.
Crabb and I are in constant liaison with the City and the Bank.
They should be ready to recommend issue in about two months' time.
Give or take a week.
I'll take a week.
I beg your pardon? One week.
They have everything they need.
Why wait? Steady, old man.
I mean, the banks move well, some might say slowly, but that's the way our system works.
Well, we're going to have to change the system.
Harry, if I have to say it I will.
Your accident - they'll be spooked.
Now's not the right time to push them.
Now is always the right time.
Good God, man! Sir Oliver's only been Chairman a few months.
I've dealt with banks forever.
And I can tell you this for tuppence.
I've not seen them hurried along by anyone yet.
Especially by an American.
Yet.
How about this? Why don't we go to the bank and persuade them to speed it up? Or we get Crabb to bring the bank to us.
To To us, Mr Selfridge? And And I will? You will.
Good man, Crabb.
Funny little snippet? Uh-huh? You know that young artist, Roderick Temple? Painted your portrait? What about him? Well, his exhibition is a huge success in Paris.
Which means that his prices will go through the roof and your painting will be worth quite a few dollars now.
Well, I made the right choice, then.
What's this? 'Kitty'.
Here you are, there's a card.
'Dear Kitty, sweets for a sweetheart.
' It's a love gift.
I always wanted a mystery admirer! Hello.
Perhaps I should come here more often.
Agnes Towler, Sir.
And you're a member of staff? I did get permission to be here, sir.
Of course you did! The Hound Of The Baskervilles.
Not too frightening for you, young lady? Frightened the life out of me, sir.
I loved it! Excuse us.
Sir Arthur.
Ah, Mr Selfridge! I don't think I've ever signed so many books.
I may never have to write another.
My wife would never forgive me.
This is Mrs Selfridge.
Sir Arthur.
Enchanted.
I'm a little tongue-tied.
I just adore your books.
But I suppose you hear that all the time.
Oh, trust me, Mrs Selfridge, a writer never wearies of that one particular phrase.
Would you sign? I was going to pretend it's for the children.
But, er for Rose Selfridge.
For Rosa Selfridge.
Er, Rose.
Oh, Rose.
I am so sorry.
And this too, I assume, is to ROSE Selfridge.
Yes, indeed.
Now, I am forgetting my manners.
Mr Rex Crenell.
Our esteemed guest from the same side of the pond as you, Mrs Selfridge.
How do you do? Mr Crenell is a Spirit Sensitive held in high regard by the Spiritualist movement.
Are you a medium? Yes.
So you're familiar with the movement.
It is very popular in America.
Afternoon, Miss Hawkins, Miss Miller.
Hello, George.
What a day, rushed of our feet, we are.
Nothing like on the shop floor, I can tell you.
Right, come on, Doris.
We've only got half and hour.
What do you want? Tea, please.
And a sandwich.
Of course.
The same, please.
Certainly.
Look who's over there.
Isn't that old Bunting that got sacked from fashion? Yes.
Cor, she don't half look rough.
Where are you going? To talk to her.
Hello, Miss Bunting.
Miss Millar, isn't it? That's right.
Can I sit down? Of course.
How have you been? Well, it's not been easy, not without a reference.
I just had an interview at Liberty's.
A friend got it for me.
They're not taking me.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I hear Mr Selfridge has recovered from his accident.
Yes.
I'm so glad.
He's a good man.
I shouldn't have done what I did.
I was Doris There's some seats over here.
Are you coming? Well loads of luck to you, Miss Bunting.
I hope you see you in here again.
Oh, is that yours? They do nice buns here.
That should stand you a couple.
Thank you.
Why did you do that? It was your money! Can't you see? She's hungry.
It really was most peculiar, Sir Arthur.
Even though Harry was unconscious, it was if he was in another world.
There's a famous case of a Mrs Haskins reported by the Boston Globe.
Apparently her heart had stopped for over 20 minutes.
No breath.
No sign of life.
The nurse closed her eyes and then suddenly they opened again.
Mrs Haskins took a deep breath.
And there she was, perfectly normal.
Hm.
So you think I could've been partly dead yet partly alive too? Yes, it's possible.
I mean we don't really know - thank you - how fine the line is between this world and the next.
Forgive me, Sir Arthur, Mr Crenell, but you do hear of, well, vulnerable people being exploited by mediums.
I have come across a share of quacks in my time.
And I have also come across phenomena my own Sherlock Holmes would be hard pressed to explain.
I'd be happy to hold a seance in this building.
It's got the right feel.
Really? Would that be agreeable, Mr Selfridge? Uh I don't think that our customers would care for it.
For the staff.
It can be their choice.
It is Mr Crenell's last night with us.
It would be a sort of spiritualist validation of the venue, in a way.
Oh, Harry, please.
Well I know when I've been outnumbered! Well done, Sir Arthur.
Usually it's Harry that does all the persuading in this store.
Now Miss Towler, if you don't want to move departments, I can put your case.
In fact, I shall be sorry to see you go.
You have an earnest work ethic which indeed, from time to time, reminds But enough about that.
What do you say, Miss Towler? I think I'd like to move, Miss Mardle.
If you wouldn't be terribly offended.
I see.
It's just, well it's the department that I see myself in, in the future.
Not that I haven't loved every minute here in Accessories.
Very well.
Good luck, Miss Towler.
The best of British to you.
Ladies.
Miss Towler will be working under Miss Ravillious from now on.
If either of you wishes to be in the running for the post of Senior Accessories Assistant, I strongly recommend that you do not suck sweets in the store whilst on duty! Where are we with the bank, Crabb? I've just been there.
It's It's delicate, Mr Selfridge.
I'm doing my best.
Good.
Oh, and Crabb, there's a seance in the Palm Court this evening.
Staff are welcome to attend.
Ah.
The seance.
Looks like quite a few of us are going.
We could be opening up the store to all sorts of spirits! Miss Mardle - Mrs Grove is scarcely cold in her grave! My dear Miss Mardle, you hardly think she'll come back and haunt Mr As far as we could tell from the responses, he was a Jacobean gentleman and quite possible the secretary to King James.
Yes, do please take a seat.
Thank you all for coming.
And a very big thank you to Sir Arthur and Mr Crenell for sharing this experience with us.
We should never shy away from being at the forefront of progress and discovery here at Selfridge's.
Open minds expand to take in new experiences and new knowledge.
Mr Crenell.
Thank you.
There's nothing to be afraid of, ladies and gentlemen.
But if you feel the need of a nervous laugh, well, that's fine too.
Now, let me explain.
We put out food and drink as a reminder of the physical world.
Candles signifying light and warmth.
Planchette based on ancient Egyptian rites, just another channel of communication should the spirits choose.
Sometimes they wish to commune and sometimes they don't.
We simply extend a friendly invitation.
It's no more than that.
Sorry.
That was me.
Memento mori, memento mori, memento mori Yes! Yes, I can feel your presence! Please feel free to join us.
You are amongst friends.
We've got somebody's twin.
Bound to be someone's twin.
I have an elderly gentlemen, lived in the countryside.
Somerset.
Another.
Auntie Flo.
Have I got that right? Your Auntie Flo, Kitty! Yes, but she's not dead, is she? Ssh.
I have a woman.
You've not long passed over.
You want to pass on a message.
Your husband.
Yes, yes, we can do that.
Please, what is your name? H.
Hettie Grove.
Your name begins with H.
Yes.
Yes, I've got that.
Tell him you're out of pain and thank him for all the years he cared for you.
What's that? You want him to marry again.
Marry with your blessing.
Yes.
Who Who is this? Who is this trying to push? Who is this trying to push through? You use too much force, sir.
Sir, you've not been invited.
I must politely ask you to I must ask you to Kindly leave us, good sir.
We do not pass hostile messages! I repeat! I must ask you to withdraw and if you will not .
.
then we must.
The seance is over! Break the circle! Thank you very much, Mr Selfridge.
The Spiritualists will feel very much at home in your fine establishment.
Well done for the pluck.
Mrs Selfridge.
Mr Selfridge, I felt a strong spirit drawn to you.
A malign male force, I'm sorry to say.
I'd be happy to offer a private session if you'd like me to reason with him.
Thank you but no, Mr Crenell.
That smacks of dwelling in the past and that's not something I want to do.
Well done, though.
Thank you.
Thank you, Fraser.
Thank you.
Thank you, Fraser.
Rose, those nightmares Harry's been having - has he told you what they're about? Not really.
I think they're a repeat of whatever he saw when he was unconscious.
Why do you ask? Oh, just wondering.
He used to have nightmares when he was a boy.
Did he? Mm-hm.
Well, I suppose most young boys do.
Come.
Roger.
The seance last night.
The initial H, you mean? Yes.
All that malarkey about thanking me for minding her? It's well known these people conduct research into recent deaths.
But what if it's true? She's telling you it's all right for you to marry again.
This is a whole new way of life for me.
I'm still coming to terms with it.
You'll have to bear with me.
I gave you my childbearing years.
You understand that, don't you, Roger? You've been wonderful to me, Josie.
I waited, year after year.
Week after week.
Not knowing if this is the night he's going to turn up or not.
I know, my dear.
I know.
And now I'm still waiting, Roger.
The new mannequins have arrived in the studio.
I'm going to take a chance and let you dress them, Miss Towler.
I'll do my best, Miss Ravillious.
I wouldn't expect any less of you.
Are you happy to be here? In fashion? Very happy, Miss Ravillious.
Good.
But I did enjoy working for Miss Mardle too.
Of course you did.
But we move on.
That's life.
Mr Leclair Sorry, I just wanted to share my news.
I've heard and I'm very glad for you.
I am sure you'll excel in this department.
Thank you.
Good luck.
He's certainly back at full speed.
Actually, I can understand why Harry wants to push things along.
It's just his approach that worries me.
Not to mention your investment.
Indeed.
I think I might require your unique set of skills with this.
Miss Millar! Doris Just thought I'd pop in for a cuppa.
Like when you were on your tea break from Selfridge's.
Yes, I suppose I was pretending a little bit.
But this will be an end to it.
That was my last farthing anyway.
I don't seem to have any hope of getting another job without a reference.
I'm not a thief, Doris.
Oh I'm sure you're not.
I know there's no excuse but the medicine for my mother was so expensive.
And how is she, Miss Bunting? She Oh, I'm so sorry.
If you'll wait for me, we could have supper here together.
I was I was thinking of doing that anyway.
Some company would be nice.
My treat.
Thank you.
I'd like that very much, Doris.
What is it? Telegram, Lady Loxley.
Slide it under the door.
Something the matter with your legs? You've turned them to jelly, dear heart.
Oh.
I'll be seeing you in the store again later.
Looks like it's going to be quite a day for Mr Selfridge.
Mr Selfridge.
The Chairman of the bank, Sir Oliver Standish himself, and his Deputy, Mr Lionel Fitch, will meet you on the shop floor at precisely four o'clock today.
Thank you, Crabb.
Well done.
But I'm still worried about your erm Our approach to them.
Worry duly noted.
Thank you, Crabb.
It's a note.
Asking to see me at the tea hut on Duke Street later on.
Mr Edwards? Could be.
And look, it's in pencil.
Maybe even the one I sold him! And it makes sense he wouldn't want to meet in the store.
Mrs Kitty Edwards.
Who'd have thought? Let's not get too carried away.
I'll be lost without you here, Kitty.
Even if it means I'll get promoted to Senior Assistant.
Promise we'll always be friends? Well, I'm far from being gone yet.
But whatever happens, of course we'll always be best friends.
Good! Great! Oh, sorry.
Sorry.
Excuse moi.
Agnes, come here.
Come Come.
Mr Grove, sir? Miss Millar? I know it's not my place to bother you, Mr Grove.
Do you have a grievance? It's Miss Bunting.
I met her in the tea room.
Her mother's passed and she hasn't a brass farthing.
I'm very sorry to hear that but I don't see If you could If you could just see fit to give her a reference.
It's very difficult, Miss Millar, under the circumstances.
Oh, please, Mr Grove! Give her hope.
She's in a bad way.
I can't help but think if she were my own mother It would be so kind of you.
Give her this.
Tell her come back at the same time next week.
I shall broach the subject with Mr Selfridge.
Thank you, Mr Grove! Honest, it'll mean the world to her.
You've a soft heart, Doris.
'Doris'! Miss Millar.
The Chairman of the bank and his deputy are here, Mr Selfridge.
Well done, Crabb.
Well done.
We're not trying to reinvent the wheel.
We're just trying to get it to turn a bit faster.
If I might, I wouldn't recommend being too forceful, Mr Selfridge.
The banks don't like being told what to do.
Ah.
Welcome Sir Oliver.
Mr Selfridge.
Mr Fitch.
Mr Musker.
I am delighted with your visit.
If only the other banks were half so progressive.
Coming out to see us like this, I Well, I am impressed.
Come on, let's take a walk.
Have you ever been inside our store before? We tend to leave shopping to our wives, Mr Selfridge.
We had a footfall of one million on our opening week.
We had people counting customers inside and out.
That is forward thinking, don't you think? We too like forward thinking, Mr Selfridge, but at a steady pace.
You do seem to relish speed in all things, including motor cars? Well Luckily, our wise backer, Mr Musker, has complete confidence in our business and our speed.
And I take it you have complete confidence in him as well? There's the question of recent press, Mr Selfridge.
Rather a lot of it.
Not all favourable, it has to be said.
Investors might be wary now.
You Americans have a reputation for being reckless and - Let's just hit the nail on the head, shall we, gentlemen? You can't have a problem with our business proposals because they make sense.
Your problem is me.
We do have concerns, yes.
The thing is, gentlemen, I nearly died.
And I understand that concerns you.
The business carries my name, after all.
But this store will go on long after we're all gone.
And that's what matters.
It is strong, it is dependable.
Sure, more reliable than me sometimes! It's about what we leave behind, gentlemen.
And sometimes what we leave behind is more important than ourselves.
It's about legacy.
Lady Loxley.
Always such a pleasure.
Sir Oliver.
It's been too long.
What fusty old business are we up to anyway, gentlemen? Oh, just bringing Mr Selfridge to the markets, that's all.
Very boring for some.
On the contrary.
I take it you're advocating the traditional stance of caution and decorum.
And Mr Selfridge is being Well Mr Selfridge? Isn't he refreshing? Indeed.
And I do hope you're extending him the courtesy of listening.
That is the British way, after all.
Of course.
But there are issues of credibility to consider.
Ah, the seance! Yes, I heard.
Such a wise business move to keep the wonderfully popular Sir Arthur happy.
Didn't he write, 'It is a capital mistake to theorise before you have all the evidence - it biases the judgment'? Good day to you, gentlemen.
Fancy a cuppa, Miss Kitty? No, thank you, George Towler.
I'm waiting for someone.
You! I don't know what came over me.
It's just you're always so pretty.
IT makes my day when I catch a look at you.
Don't be angry with me.
Please don't.
Maybe I am angry.
Maybe I'm very angry indeed! You could at least have signed the note.
What if I'd gone off thinking it was someone else? I could have made a right fool of myself.
I'm really sorry, Miss Kitty.
I just thought Everyone can have a nice dream for a day, can't they? I didn't mean no harm.
I know it was a terrible cheek.
The likes of me and all.
But a cat can look at the Queen can't he? Well, this particular queen is awful partial to cats, George Towler.
And lucky for you .
.
humbugs.
Excuse me, Mr Selfridge.
The bank have invited you to meet them at nine o'clock on Monday morning to discuss the stock offer.
Well done, Harry.
Well done, Mr Crabb.
You got them in here.
And I believe I owe you a thank you too, John.
Nothing to thank me for, old boy.
Oh, I think you know what I'm talking about.
Lady Mae? Good night, Miss Towler.
Mr Leclair I was having trouble with the erm I wonder if you'd Help you out.
Yes, of course.
Let me see that.
It's nice but It's the wrong colour, I think.
What else have we got? What do you think? It's lovely.
Agnes? I wasn't sure how to do that.
Did I Did I do it all wrong, then? The approach? I-I think you did just right.
But just to be sure, maybe we should I don't know if I can do this without you and Pa! I'm scared, Mama.
How can you not see how beautiful you look? Now, you listen to me Rosalie Selfridge.
There's nothing wrong with being scared.
Pa's never been scared of anything! You honestly think he never had moment when he was a boy, when it was just him and Grandma? Isn't that right Lois? Mm-hm.
Lucky for you, my girl, you'll never know what it's like to be poor.
And to lose your father in a war.
To always live under that shadow.
Ma What's the matter? I made a very bad decision concerning you when you were a young boy.
Nonsense! You did everything right for me.
What's the matter? I just know that seance upset you.
If anything, the seance taught me that the past haunts us if we don't confront it.
It finds a way.
Ma It's just history, that's all the past is.
I have to tell you your father did not die in the war.
He was not a hero.
I know the truth, Ma.
He left us to starve for all he cared.
He set up house with another woman.
Don't you think that I know? Don't you think that I've always known? I heard that he was alive.
I went to go see him.
I don't want to end up like him.
I made you live a lie.
No.
You needed to believe in a hero.
I suppose I was ashamed.
I mean, there were widows everywhere after the war and your father chose to walk out on me and his young son.
I didn't want you to feel the pain inside like I did.
I am so sorry.
Everything good I've ever done in my life is because of you.
Now let's forget about him.
It's ancient history now.
I hope you're right, son.
Lady Loxley is here, Mr Selfridge.
Harry.
I've brought a little something for Rosalie.
Thank you for your kind words with the bank today.
Pretty convenient you happened to be there at the exact moment that we needed you.
I don't suppose that you had a word with Mr Musker? He might've sent me a little note.
Well done, Harry.
The favours I owe you are piling up.
Oh, I keep tally, don't you worry.
Do keep one thing in mind, won't you? Issue of stock is excellent for business.
Maybe not quite so excellent for the family.
Why should it affect my family? Going public - it means exactly that.
Just so you're forewarned.
You court publicity, Harry.
But now your family will do too, whether they like it or not.
Oh Rosalie.
Beautiful! I'm speechless.
I doubt that, Pa.
They are gonna fall at your feet.
I hope not.
My feet are too big.
Rosalie My dear.
Thank you, Lady Mae.
I'm a bit nervous, to tell the truth.
There's no need to be.
The young ladies will be jealous of you.
And the young men are going to adore you.
And if the young man get fresh with you You know, Rose, we should go with her.
Harry, I'm going to take very good care of her.
That's what I'm afraid of.
Can you handle all this attention, Rosalie? I'm the luckiest girl in the whole world to have you for my Pa.
Now stop worrying.
Go annoy Ma or something.
You're so beautiful.
- Good night.
- Good night.
She's in your hands, Lady Mae.
I am not asking you.
I am telling you.
You need an early night.
You have to get some sleep.
Sleep? Are you crazy? How can I sleep? Harry How can I possibly sleep until I know that she's home safe? If I'm crazy it's because you drive me crazy.
Harry! Mr Woolworth is an American gentleman, I believe? The West End's big enough to hold us both.
London can accept one American king of commerce, but two? The decision as to who will become senior assistant will be made this week.
We've got trouble.
Perhaps we shouldn't see each other for a while.
You have a very lovely daughter.
Where have you been hiding her?