Little Dorrit (2008) s01e12 Episode Script

So this is the home of the great Mr Merdle.
And the very distinguished Mr Sparkler and his lovely bride, too, isn't it, Edmund? That's it, my dearest love.
Till we take a place of our own.
Ah Mr Sparkler.
And Mrs Sparkler, I presume.
Correct.
I trust you had a pleasant journey, Madam.
Not particularly.
And thisgentleman? Is Mr Dorrit.
My father.
Thomas, tend to the luggage.
If you would be so good as to follow me.
Difficult day, very difficult.
They don't understand, do they? Hmm? They have no idea.
KNOCKING PARROT SQUAWKS Mr and Mrs Sparkler and Mr Dorrit.
Ah! Yes, yes.
And this is Fanny! Charmed.
Vision of loveliness, as you can see! Can't believe my luck, to tell you the truth.
Oh, and this is her guvnor, Mr Dorrit.
Mr Dorrit, I am pleased to meet you.
And I to meet you, sir.
Greatly honoured, sir, to make the You will be happy to hear, sir, that we left Mrs Merdle in very good health and spirits.
The observed of all observers, the admired of all admirers.
Mrs Merdle.
Yes, to be sure.
Perhaps you will do me the honour of staying, as my guest.
Um Yes, I thank you for the compliment, sir, and yes, I am greatly honoured by it, but I've already made arrangements.
I should, however, be infinitely grateful if at some point you could give me the benefit of your advice as to the prudent investment of my capital.
Happy to.
I'll wait upon you tomorrow morning, if I may, on my way to the bank.
Oh, sir, I am overwhelmed.
Words cannot express Till tomorrow, then.
So always keep your eyes on the level and the pressure.
James will show you how to operate the pistons.
No, no, you wait there.
Dan.
Arthur.
I want to talk to you about something.
I too.
The thing is I woke up early, couldn't sleep.
I've been approached by a factory in St Petersburg.
They're taking on two consultant engineers and they want me.
It's six months in the first instance, extendable to a year.
Russia? Mm.
Well, I hope you've said yes! Well, I've been in two minds.
I hate to leave you with this cloud hanging over your family name.
But there is great work to be done there, and they don't bind it all in red tape.
Of course you must go! Of course you must.
And anyway, I have an idea about a venture of my own.
Mm hm.
I think we ought to be making our capital work for us and I want to put it into Merdle's funds.
Speculation, never cared for that.
This isn't speculation.
Far from it.
This is investment.
It is solid, copper-bottomed investment.
Come on, Dan.
Fortune favours the brave.
This is the chance of a lifetime.
You won't regret it.
Agreed? Agreed! Oh! Tres elegant! Will Monsieur be dining at the hotel this evening? No, Mr Merdle's invited me to dine at his house tonight.
And every night while I'm in London.
KNOCK ON DOOR What is it? If you please, Monsieur, I am so sorry to disturb.
But it is Monsieur Merdle! Well, show him in, man! Monsieur Merdle, Monsieur.
Ah.
This is indeed an honour, sir, and at such an early hour.
Not too early for you, I hope.
Oh, no, no, no! Some of us have to work for our money, unfortunately.
Would you sit down and take some refreshment with me? Thank you.
But nothing for me.
Now, you want to invest some money, Mr Dorrit.
I think I might possibly be in a position to help you.
Mr Merdle, that you think me worthy Of course, at the present moment it would not be easy for a mere outsider to come into any of the good things, unless it were at what we are accustomed to term a very long figure.
Ah.
But you can be considered one of the family now.
Please.
There is a very good thing it might be possible to let you in on - on highly privileged terms.
Not at a very long figure, then? Very good, Mr Dorrit, I see you understand these things.
There is a long figure for the man who isn't in the know, and a surprisingly short one for the man who is in the know.
There must be integrity and uprightness, of course, in these transactions, or business could not go forward.
No, of course not.
Then you are happy to proceed? I should be happy - honoured - to put myself and my fortune in your hands.
If you could just stand aside for one moment, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Hold back, gentlemen! Stand back, please! Good morning, sir.
Good morning.
Mr Dorrit! Mr Dorrit! Oh! Oh, dear! Missing Frenchman still missing and the House of Clennam fallen under suspicion.
Not Doyce and Clennam, that's different.
That's Arthur.
You remember Arthur? If he can't take it, he shouldn't hand it out.
Chop him up for firewood.
Shall we take a little walk? Oh, good morning, Mr Clennam! Morning! Any word of that terrible Frenchman? No, but I'm determined to track him down.
Well, don't bring him to Bleeding Heart Yard, Mr Clennam.
Poor Mr Cavalletto would never get over it! Oh, Mr Pancks? What can I do for you, Mr Clennam? I want you to help me find this man Rigaud.
I'm not sure where to start.
He could be anywhere.
Well, Miss Wade knows him.
If we can track her down, she may lead us to him.
I must find him, Mr Pancks.
I'll see what I can do for you.
Oi, you! I ain't finished with you yet! There he is! Large as life and twice as ugly! She's very lively today, Arthur.
Doyce and Clennam.
I hope you'll forgive the intrusion.
It's always a pleasure to see you, Flora.
What can I do for you? Only that I read about that terrible Frenchman who got himself murdered to annoy your mother or something of that nature and I came to see if I could be of any help or succour.
That's a funny word - makes one think of leeches and horrid things like that - but if I could be of any succour, Arthur, then say the word and I shall be yours! Probably did it himself.
Oh! She is amazing for her age! You think she's far away in her own world and out she comes with something quite profound, if not often slanderous! But here I am, Arthur, at your beck and call.
Well, I'm very touched, Flora, and if I can think of any way you can help, I'll let you know.
And how is the dear little one? Still in foreign parts and pining? She is.
Not pining too much, though, I hope.
The principal painters who comprise the Venetian school are the following.
Amy.
Amy! It would be a pretty thing to commit their names to memory, so that you could produce them extempore at a tea-party or soiree.
Many a young lady has secured her reputation so.
Shall I begin? Please do, Mrs General.
Bellini, Vivarini, Mantegna, Giorgione, Titiano, Tintoretto, Veronese, and Lotto.
Bellini Bellini, Vivarini, Mantegna, Giorgione, Titiano, Tintoretto, Veronese and Lotto.
MAN SNEEZES Scusi.
Monsieur, is a Mrs Finching is here to see you.
Shall I show her in? Certainly not! Finching? What Finching? A lady, sir.
I know of no Finching of either sex.
Send her away.
The lady said that you might not know her name, but she was formerly acquainted with Miss Dorrit.
The younger Miss Dorrit.
You may show her in.
Monsieur.
Mrs Finching, Monsieur.
A thousand apologies for the intrusion, but I thought it best upon the whole, however difficult and even improper as a lady, and alone - though Mr F's aunt would have accompanied me.
May I take a chair? Thank you.
I knew the dear little one in her former altered circumstances, though Goodness knows half a crown a day was no favour whatsoever to such a needle as herself.
Quite the reverse! Madam, if I understand you to refer to my younger daughter's having undertaken duties for financial compensation, I know nothing of it and, had I known, I should not have permitted it.
Never! Do me the favour, Madam, of stating your pleasure.
It's not likely I well know, but I made up my mind to try when I read in the papers that you had arrived from Italy and were going back.
For you may have come across him.
Come across whom, Madam? The foreigner from Italy who disappeared in the City.
Here he is in my bosom! Madam, please! No, the official handbill.
You may peruse it yourself, sir.
Monsieur Blandois! I know this gentleman! Well, do you know where he is? I do not, madam.
Then would you have the goodness to give me your promise as a gentleman that, on travelling back, you will seek him out and make enquiries in the hotels and orange trees and vineyards and volcanoes and places? For he must be somewhere, and why does he not come forward and clear all parties up? "Last seen at Clennam and Co".
Is this the individual of whom I formerly had some slight transitory knowledge? No, no, that's Arthur! This is Clennam and Co, his mother! His mother! Yes.
She may, as we speak, be under suspicion of the foreigner's murder.
His mother.
Mrs Finching, this gentleman is quite intimately known to me and my circle.
It therefore behoves me to determine the facts of the case for myself.
Leave it to me, Madam.
I shall get to the bottom of this.
Who is it, Flintwinch? More enquiries.
Gentleman from Italy.
Bring him up, then! I'm bringing him! Well, sir? Have you come to give us information? No, madam.
Rather to seek it.
There is none to be got here, unfortunately for us.
Show the gentleman the handbill, Flintwinch.
And give him several to take away.
Thank you, I've seen the handbill.
Then what business have you here? The gentleman on the handbill is an acquaintance of mine.
Have you a commission from him? No, that is Madam, I have not come here to answer questions but to ask them.
Who are you? I am a gentleman of property, residing in Italy.
Monsieur Blandois is intimately known to me and my circle, and I should like to ascertain his whereabouts.
Now tell me, madam, was Monsieur Blandois here on business the night he was last seen? On what he called business.
And could you communicate the nature of that business? No.
Then may I ask how you account for his disappearance? I don't account for it.
No doubt he is travelling somewhere, or hiding somewhere.
Let him account for it.
Madam, I put it Sir, I put it to you that you have no further business to be here.
Show the gentleman out, Flintwinch.
Back to Brook Street, driver.
Go by Southwark, shall we, sir? Round by the Marshalsea and over Waterloo Bridge? Be quickest for you, sir.
No! Go the other way! What other way? ANY OTHER WAY!! I don't want to go south of the river! Whatever you say, sir.
It's your money.
I'm a gentleman of property.
A friend of Mr Merdle! I'll not submit not tolerate this treatment.
Madam, do you know who I am? I'll have you know, madam, that I am a gentleman, a gentleman of considerable means! I ask the questions here, not you! KNOCK ON DOOR Yes? Monsieur.
Mr Chivery, Monsieur! Chivery? I'm not at home! Hello, Mr Dorrit! How dare you? How dare you presume to come here? How dare you insult me? Insult you, sir? I'd never do that, sir.
Then what the devil are you doing here? Beg your pardon, sir, I thought to bring you a few cigars.
Cigars? For old times' sake.
Damn your cigars! I don't smoke! You used to, sir.
Are you calling me a liar? Tell me that again and I'll take the poker to you! Oh, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no! Stop! Stop! Sit down! Sit DOWN!! What else did you come here for? Only to say I hoped you was well, sir, and to ask how Miss Amy was.
What's that to you? Nothing at all, sir, by rights.
I never thought of lessening the distance between us.
I never thought you'd have taken it ill.
In my poor way I'm too proud to have come, if I'd thought so.
Shall I go, sir? No.
Stay there.
I'm sorry.
I was hasty with you, young John, butsome remembrances are not happy ones.
You shouldn't have come, you know.
I feel that now, sir.
Never mind.
Give me your hand.
Um, yes.
Leave, please Leave the cigars.
Yes, it was a kind thought.
Very good, sir.
Um Father well, John? Pretty well, sir, thank you.
Busy? We're always busy at the Marshalsea, sir.
I hope you'll overlook what just passed, John.
Don't speak of it, sir.
I don't bear no malice.
I think I should be going now, then, sir.
Yes.
Yes, very well.
Goodbye, John.
Goodbye, sir.
Yes, that's old Dorrit.
Not the debtor Dorrit? Father of the Marshalsea.
Twenty-five years people used to go and see him.
Went to see him myself, gave him half a sovereign.
Now look at him, rich as Croesus.
Not a proper gentleman, though.
No, no.
Not a proper gentleman.
Will there be anything else, Monsieur? Monsieur? Yes.
Order a coach for tomorrow morning.
I've decided to return to Italy.
Very good, Monsieur.
And another thing.
Arrange for a jeweller to come here - a first-rate one, mind.
There's something I need to purchase.
Of course, Monsieur.
That'll be fine.
See you later then.
Good morning, Mr Clennam.
Mr Doyce has set off safely? Yes, he has.
He'll reach St Petersburg in about a fortnight.
Good news, Mr Clennam.
Now I've found out something for you about Miss Wade.
You know where she is? She's in Whitstable, sir.
With her little friend.
(SNORTS) I'd get down there quick, if I was you, before they're off again.
Thank you, Mr Pancks.
Any time, Mr Clennam.
Allow me, sir.
This way.
No, no, no, not there! Behind me.
He should never have come.
He should have had more I will not go round by the Marshalsea.
Monsieur? What? Did Monsieur speak? No! W-W-What time is it? How far have we come? The time is half past six, and we have passed through Dartford and Gravesend, and we are now near Rochester.
Rochester? No further? No, sir.
'My dear Mrs General 'Dear, lovely Mrs General 'I hope it will come as no surprise 'Oh, LordPerhaps best leave it to the inspiration of the moment.
' HORSE WHINNIES Monsieur? Where now? Nearly at Canterbury, Monsieur.
Would Monsieur care to stop and take refreshment? No, no.
No, on, on.
Old Dorrit? Debtor Dorrit! Playing the gent on the Grand Tour! But it won't do.
No class.
No class.
Riff-raff.
Riff-raff.
Monsieur, monsieur? We are nearly at Paris, Monsieur.
Paris! Oh, yes.
Very good.
Monsieur.
Verona, Monsieur.
Verona.
Not far now.
I shall be very glad when we're there.
PLAYS JAUNTY TUNE There.
There, not bad, though I say so myself.
Very good.
Do you know, I think you get younger by the day, Uncle.
We get on all right, don't we? You and me.
I'm not up to Fanny's expectations, and I'm not up to William's, and I'm certainly not up to Mrs General's, but you take me as I am, Amy, and I take you as you are.
You know, that makes things comfortable and cheerful.
Yes, it does.
Now, will you play me another? Don't fuss, don't fuss! I can manage perfectly well.
What's that infernal noise?! Who's at home? Father! You're home! I'm so glad to have you home.
That's enough, that's enough.
Dear William, welcome back.
Someone to receive me at last.
I appear to have been so little expected, perhaps I should apologise for coming back at all.
Come and sit down, Father, you must be tired from your journey.
I'm not tired, I'm perfectly well.
Thank you, I can do it without assistance.
I wonder, could I have a morsel of bread and a glass of wine, or would that cause too much inconvenience? There, Father.
You seewe were expecting you.
Thank you.
What are you staring at? I'm not tired.
I'm perfectly well.
I'm not at all pleased with your looks, Frederick.
You should be in bed, you seem very feeble.
You should learn to take more care of yourself.
Well Well, I dare say I should.
Well, off you go to bed, then.
Good night.
Good night, Amy.
Good night.
He's failing.
I see a great change in him.
Poor Frederick.
He's sadly broken.
Sadly broken.
Mrs Merdle will be pleased to see you.
She delayed her farewell ball especially for you.
How kind.
Do you know, I don't find myself hungry after all.
Should you rather go straight to bed, Father? Perhaps I should.
I'm your father, not your infirm old uncle, but it's been a long journey.
Has John called in? John? Which John do you mean, Father? John I never mentioned any John.
I think you must be tired, Amy.
Yes, I think I must be.
Shall we both go to bed, Father? Yes.
Yes.
I demand I demand to be treated with respect.
You are, Father.
Oh, you are.
I adore you.
No, decorum I beg you, sir, desist! Your name, sir? Rigaud.
I thought if I gave my real name, you might refuse to see me.
I'm here to ask for your help, Miss Wade.
I sometimes wished that you'd never come to the Marshalsea, that I'd never met you, that none of this had ever happened.
I was happy as I was.