The Gilded Age (2022) s02e06 Episode Script
Warning Shots
1
[TV STATIC DRONES]
[BRIGHT TONE]
[SPIRITED ORCHESTRAL MUSIC]
♪
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight!
I won't keep you all night!
You have little enough time of your own!
That's right. Eight, eight, eight!
Eight hours of work,
eight hours of rest,
and eight hours
ALL: For what you will!
Now, they'll be ready with
their patrols and their guns.
We'll bring weapons of our own!
- Yeah!
- No scabs will take our job!
[ALL CHANTING] Strike, strike, strike,
strike, strike, strike, strike,
strike, strike, strike, strike,
strike, strike
With the Wintertons joining us
And bringing a host of friends.
I feel more confident than ever
that our new Metropolitan
Opera will be a great success.
This is good news.
May I ask, who are
the friends you propose
to bring over to our side?
The people you want, but couldn't get,
the Wilsons, the Marshalls,
the Webbs, and many others.
My.
Mr. Winterton can be very persuasive.
But there is one slight issue.
[CHUCKLES] Why am I not surprised?
The Wintertons have done us
such a great service in this.
Yes.
And they want the central
box in the first tier.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
You mean my box?
Where else should we
sit when we've encouraged
our friends to leave the Academy?
They'll expect us to
be in the central box.
We all want the
Metropolitan to be a success.
Surely, we can agree on that.
And now it will be, thanks to us.
♪
This should take you through the week.
♪
Just sign here.
♪
- Sir?
- Ah.
Mr. Church. He was drunk?
I wonder if Mr. Russell
knows that his butler
goes out and gets drunk.
It's not our concern.
I don't agree.
And I do not believe that
I can let it rest there.
Is it that stupid letter again?
- He said he was sorry.
- He can say what he likes.
He still wrote it.
So this is a chance for revenge?
Is it revenge I seek?
Or is it justice?
That is the question.
♪
Ah, Mr. Van Rhijn, thank you for coming.
I have your check right here.
Your note surprised me.
I'm not sure I understand.
I have already told you
that the principals want
to proceed with as few investors
in the partnership as possible.
I was able to get you in,
but they're now insisting
that we reduce our numbers,
and so they are paying
a premium to buy out all
of the smaller stakeholders.
I think you'll find you made
a good return in a short time.
Astonishing return.
I'm pleased if you're pleased.
But suppose I don't
want to accept the check.
How much would I have to
invest to be a principal
and not a small stakeholder?
I don't know, Mr. Van
Rhijn, a great deal of money.
My advice would be to cash that check
and enjoy the profits you have made.
But if I don't cash it,
and I come back in two days
with a great deal of money?
Mr. Van Rhijn, may I ask,
is Miss Beaton aware of any of this?
No, she would only try to dissuade me,
but please, don't worry about that.
I will tell her in good time
for us to celebrate together.
♪
- Is it dinner?
- Not quite, ma'am.
I should have brought these
up earlier, but I forgot.
It's the afternoon post.
It came when you were out.
- I am sorry.
- Never mind.
- [SIGHS]
- Who was that from?
Your Aunt Ada.
No doubt bleating on
about her untold happiness.
If only it were untold.
I think she is happy.
Oh, this is from Dashiell.
He's giving a party to
support the botanical gardens.
That's good of him.
His family have been patrons for years.
But more to the point, he wants
you to be one of the guests.
Then why didn't he write to me?
Well, I'm also invited.
But clearly, he is quite taken with you.
I know you think Dashiell very suitable.
You must give me some credit, Marian.
I do not think he is suitable
because he is well-born and rich,
but in addition to
those useful qualities,
he is also intelligent and very nice.
He's even handsome.
What more could a girl ask for?
I only mean that you should consider it.
Aunt Ada said something similar.
Really?
As a rule, realism is
not her strong suit.
When is Dashiell's party?
The afternoon of the 21st.
What's the matter?
That's the afternoon I said I would
teach Jane Addams' class.
Oh, you cannot be serious.
You would miss it to
teach a bunch of indigents?
How will painting help them anyway?
What are they to learn next? Gilding?
Lace making? How to dive for pearls?
I'm teaching them to read and write.
But why not teach
them the following day.
They'll still be poor and needy
on the 22nd, I promise you.
What does Aunt Ada say?
What does she always say?
She's wonderful, he's wonderful,
even the Niagara Falls are wonderful.
She seems rather limited
in her choice of adjectives.
Let her enjoy herself.
And when they come back to New York,
please be kind to
them, for all our sakes.
It is hard to be kind when he has taken
advantage of her innocence.
I think good will come from it.
Good came from the American Revolution,
but it was difficult to
live through all the same.
♪
I can't even imagine
the danger you were in.
They might have killed you.
I believe that was their intention.
How was Mr. Fortune through it all?
Brave.
Braver than I was. He stood up to them.
That was what got us into trouble.
It's quite a story,
trembling all night in a barn,
listening to a ravening mob hurtling by.
I imagine it brought you closer.
- He kissed me.
- What?
- When?
- In the barn.
We were frightened for our lives,
hiding, huddled together.
- But he's married.
- I know!
Of course you do. I'm sorry.
It was wrong and foolish.
But the truth is, he's a friend now.
I can talk to him about anything.
Even my son.
He understands, and he challenges me.
He champions my work.
You mean you're in love with him?
- I'm sorry?
- That's what it sounds like.
And I don't want you to be hurt.
It's too late for that.
The only thing we both know for certain
is that I'm going to get hurt.
[CLOCK TICKING]
♪
[ALARM RINGING]
♪
6:00 on the dot.
I really think I cracked it.
I knew you would if you didn't give up.
Yes, well done, Jack.
- It's a real achievement.
- I'm so pleased for you.
Might I ask for the stairs to be brushed
and the rug put straight?
I nearly tripped coming down.
Never mind that now.
What will you do next, Jack?
What do you think he
should do, Mr. Bannister?
Well, if you're serious, and
the clock really does work
It does, Mr. Bannister.
And you've invented a new
element that makes it work.
A lot was just servicing it,
but I have made a new
kind of escape wheel.
You can't buy one like it.
Oh, well, you're talking double Dutch,
but I'd say you should
apply for a patent
to protect your invention.
Could I do that?
You'd have to ride to Washington
or go to a government
office here in New York.
They'll have to check that no one else
has invented the same thing.
That's it.
Then they'll tell you if your
application's been successful.
But how much would it cost?
Oh, I know about this
because I had a friend
who tried for a patent and failed.
- The charge is $15 when you apply
- [INHALES SHARPLY]
And $20 more if they grant it.
I'll have to wait and save it up.
You can't wait.
Someone else may beat you to it.
I've got $2. You'll take it.
- Oh, no, I couldn't.
- You can have 4 from me.
- And I've got 4.
- I could give you 1.
Miss Marian will want to add some.
- Yes.
- You'll have what you need.
You'll get nothing from me.
I work too hard to
waste it on moonshine.
You can go on Thursday.
I'll tell Mrs. Van Rhijn.
What if you pay the money,
and they refuse the patent?
Do you get the money back?
I don't know.
You let us worry about that.
Thank you.
Thanks to all of you. I'll
never forget this, never.
Go and make us proud.
♪
Did anyone lay a hand on you?
No, because they didn't find us.
I wish you would've talked to
me about the South before you left.
Mother tried to warn me.
I'm not sure I fully believed
her then, but I do now.
I'm just grateful
that God protected you.
I wanted you to hear it from me
because the article about our trip
is coming out in "The Globe."
I thought you were there just
to write about the school?
We've covered that,
but we had to set down
what we'd seen as well.
I don't want you doing any more stories
that put you in harm's way.
How could I know what would happen?
I would have.
It's typical for Alabama.
A woman should not have a
job that could get her killed.
So you'd rather I just
sat in your pharmacy
and did nothing with my skills to help
better the world in some way?
- That's not what I'm saying.
- We just want you to be safe.
Well, you can't always
keep your children safe.
You know that.
I only wanted to alert
you about the article,
not start a war.
I'm glad you're telling their stories.
Education and training is the
way forward for our people.
And they are doing their
level best to stop us.
Even here in New York.
- You should write about that.
- About what?
The Education Board
is trying to close down
the colored schools,
including Mrs. Sarah Garnet's.
- Where you play piano?
- Yes.
And more importantly,
where Sarah is principal.
If they prevail, the
students won't go to school,
while Sarah and the other
teachers have no work.
Well, that's shameful.
What reason do they
give for the closure?
As if they need one.
But they say the colored
teachers are inferior.
The lies they tell themselves.
They have to be stopped.
Well, if you'd like to help,
I was about to leave for
a meeting at Sarah's shop.
I'll come with you.
All right, I'll get my things.
♪
When will you be coming home?
I don't know.
♪
My dear.
♪
I know it's silly, but
I feel rather nervous.
No need.
You're an independent married woman,
fully the equal of Mrs. Van Rhijn.
Of course.
But I'm not sure Agnes
will quite see that.
♪
The Niagara Falls were really wonderful.
So much more impressive
than in the photograph.
Yes, so you said in your letters.
We've settled into the rectory,
and Pumpkin seems quite happy there.
Settled?
When did you get home?
Monday evening.
But I wanted to unpack and
get things back to normal
before we came to visit.
I see.
May I fetch you some more coffee?
- Oh, yes, thank
- [GRUNTS]
Is something wrong?
Alas, I suffer from a bad back,
like too many of my parishioners.
I'm afraid I made it worse.
Luke carried me across the threshold.
By night, I hope.
It's not exactly an image
for public consumption.
I do want you to go see the doctor.
But there's nothing to be done.
Oh, there must be
something. Do sit down.
I'll ring for John.
And I'll ask him to call on
Dr. Lewis to come and see you.
I suppose Marian is teaching,
or else she'd be here with us.
This teaching nonsense
has taken over her life.
It's not nonsense, Agnes.
She has promised some
do-gooder that she would teach
some class of beggars to
read and write on the evening
of cousin Dashiell's party.
For which she deserves our praise.
Oh, she cannot miss
Dashiell's party for them.
What does she think?
That their social
diaries will prevent them
from changing the date?
She takes her commitment
to the poor seriously.
Jesus teaches
Even Jesus would understand that she
cannot turn down a potential suitor
for a bunch of hobbledehoys.
I'm not sure he would.
[CHUCKLES]
You were kind to bring her home.
I meant for you to put her in a cab.
I like to walk.
Is the carriage mended yet?
It will be tomorrow.
♪
Is that your wife?
Yes, that's Harriet.
It's so nice to have
it there as a reminder.
Well, I don't need reminding.
Will they have our portraits
at the botanical gardens too?
No, that will just be
a plaque with our names.
And the names of my parents too.
How nice.
Our family sponsored the new solarium.
I'm so sorry to have to miss it.
What?
Don't say that. Why?
I'm taking an evening class
to teach the basic skills
needed to find work.
Reading, writing, you
know, that sort of thing.
This is for poor people?
Yes, and that's the date.
Couldn't you change it?
Please.
It won't be the same without you there.
I'm afraid I can't be.
The school asked me to take
the lesson, and I said yes.
But you don't have to
do what they tell you.
It's not as if you're a real teacher.
I wish you would reconsider.
I don't think the
poor people would mind.
[CHUCKLES]
♪
In short, we must work together.
Please join us in showing your support
by signing the petition
to stop the board.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
♪
Look who I brought.
Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?
It's so nice to see you again.
But I'm sorry it's under
these circumstances.
I am as well.
If you stay determined, they won't win.
It's an uphill battle.
Some of the teachers are
already looking for new jobs.
I have the seamstress shop,
but that won't be enough
to make a living if the schools close.
Organizing this meeting
is a good first step.
But it's not enough.
You know, Peggy has an
important piece coming out
in "The Globe" about
Booker T. Washington's
school in Tuskegee.
Mother.
I was just thinking,
this could be your next article.
First, she wrote about
education in the South,
but we face our own
challenges here in the North.
That's exactly what we
need, public exposure.
Some folks don't even
know this is happening.
We need parents, and colored businesses,
and the press to fight this together.
What do you say?
It does sound like something my editor
would be interested in.
But I have to speak with him first.
Whatever you can do, Peggy,
we'd be most appreciative.
Well, I think your editor
is going to be interested.
I think so as well.
So could you move the Mansfields
to the 10th, please?
And send a thank you
letter to the governor.
Of course.
You cannot know how happy
I am to have you back,
Miss Scott.
John, what is this
business Bannister has been
telling me about a clock?
John's invented a type of alarm clock.
- He's applying for a patent.
- How exciting.
We all rely on alarm clocks,
and most of them don't work.
- I rely on Armstrong.
- Who always sets an alarm.
We've all chipped in downstairs for John
to pay the patent fee.
Well, then we must contribute.
I think I got enough money.
No one has enough money.
Here are $5.
And I'll give you 3.
But Miss Armstrong
asked would I pay back
the money if they don't
give me the patent,
and I'm not sure I could.
Never mind Armstrong.
I like the idea of
supporting an inventor.
And now we must go up and change.
♪
People can surprise you, can't they?
They believe in you.
And so do I.
♪
Why did you come to New York?
There was more possibilities over here.
Are you proficient in hairstyling?
I did my own today.
Women have their hair
done for the gentlemen.
Don't you agree, Mr. Church?
And Mrs. Wagner would
give you a reference?
Not Mrs. Wagner, no.
She's dead.
All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy.
And I was sick of London.
Wouldn't you say so, Mr. Church?
I think we've heard enough.
- We'll let you know.
- You have my address.
I hope you'll be the one to write to me.
Can you find your way out?
[SCOFFS] If I have to.
♪
- No.
- No.
[HORSE WHINNIES]
Might I make a suggestion?
I could come for a trial
of a week or a month,
with no obligation on either side.
Then Mrs. Russell would have
time to make up her mind.
Very sensible.
Then I think that is everything.
♪
I will bid you good day.
♪
I would say our search is done.
Most definitely.
♪
Pinkerton's men say the worker's resolve
is stronger than ever and they'll fight
if it comes to it.
- Mr. Russell.
- I'll be with you in a moment.
Could you give Mr. Gilbert some coffee?
Go on.
They barricaded the mills and the river.
The governor will send
the National Guard,
and the scab labor's ready to take over.
Will we have trouble
getting them inside?
We'll have troops here and here
to escort them through the gates.
So you think you can get
the scabs into the mills?
I can guarantee.
There are no guarantees in war.
And that's what this is.
As you yourself have said.
And now, Mr. Gilbert,
you've been very patient.
Of course, sir.
It's some time since I've been
in a railroad car as fine as this.
You can see I'm rather busy.
And I'm on my way to
Pittsburgh, so perhaps,
I should cut straight to my
reasons for asking you here.
- Good.
- Mrs. Russell tells me
that Mr. And Mrs. Joshua Winterton
have abandoned the
Academy and come to you.
They have.
I don't really know why, but
it is quite a coup for us.
Just so.
And I gather Mrs. Winterton
has requested the very box
that was earmarked for my wife.
Mrs. Russell has very
graciously agreed to step aside.
Ah, now, that is what cannot happen.
I'm sorry. Is the train moving?
On the opening night,
Mrs. Russell will preside
from the central box in the first tier.
- But I've already
- A memory test for you.
Some time ago, work
stopped on the upper house
because you ran out of money.
When and why did it start again?
Because you signed a check.
But Mrs. Russell was not to be told.
And now you have a similar conundrum.
Mrs. Russell will have her box back,
but neither she nor Mrs. Winterton
needs to be aware of this
before the opening night.
But the Wintertons are difficult.
What if I can't arrange it?
Then I will demand the debt
is repaid at once and in full.
The whole debt?
For which you yourself have signed.
Now, I'm afraid I must
get back to my work.
Good day, Mr. Gilbert.
But the train's left the station.
You can ride with us to
Middleton and get off there.
Take a seat.
♪
Oh, I saw the doctor for my back.
- He gave me some liniment.
- Good.
He's looking into one or two things,
but he seems to think I'm
in reasonably good shape.
Will there be anything else?
I don't think so, no.
Unless you want some cheese?
No, thank you.
What do you mean, he's
looking into some things?
There's nothing to worry about.
["BLUE DANUBE" PLAYING]
What is that?
That is our very own music box.
- What?
- [LAUGHS]
It sounds so loud.
It must be a very grand one.
A parishioner gave it to
us as a wedding present.
I asked Sally to turn it on.
It's playing the "Blue Danube."
Mm-hmm.
♪
Come dance with me.
♪
You make me feel as if I were 16 again.
Is that good?
It feels good to me.
♪
Hello.
Where are you coming from?
I stood in line all afternoon
at a government office
to try to get a patent for my invention.
I'm sorry I haven't been around lately.
Thought you'd gone off me.
I spent all my spare
time working on my clock.
Were you successful with the patent?
I don't know yet.
We had a business here the other night.
Mr. Church went out and came home drunk.
Apparently, it was the 30th anniversary
of his wife's death.
She died of smallpox
on her 24th birthday.
- That's very sad.
- I know.
- I may not be here much longer.
- Why not?
They're interviewing
for a new lady's maid.
Have they given you any notice?
Not yet.
I'm supposed to look
after Miss Gladys again.
But haven't you always
been her maid too?
It's a demotion, whatever you say.
All right, I better go in.
If you do leave, will you tell me?
Good luck with the patent.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
♪
You're back, good.
I thought I might have
to serve dinner alone.
Tell us all about it.
There's nothing to tell.
I stood in line, I filled
in the forms, paid the fee.
Now I just have to wait.
I saw Miss Weber in the street.
She told me that Mr. Church
went out the other night
and came back drunk.
Mr. Church, the butler?
I find that hard to believe.
It was the 30th anniversary
of his wife's death.
Oh, that's awful.
That must have been the
smallpox outbreak of '53.
It was. She was 24.
Mr. Bannister, might I have a word?
♪
I hope you'll let it go now.
Mr. Church has been through enough.
I would, but I've already written.
I delivered it last night.
Well, you must do something.
♪
- Did you get my message?
- I did.
You're very persistent, Mr. Van Rhijn.
♪
I have the money.
I might as well tell you
that I'm not comfortable about this.
I'm not comfortable at all.
Why not?
Miss Beaton may appear to
be witty and sophisticated,
but the truth is, she's an innocent.
She has always been protected
- By her father, Mr. Gould?
- Never mind that.
It's enough to say she
does not deserve to be used.
But I'm not using her.
I swear to you that she
will enjoy the benefits
of this transaction as much as I will.
I mean to make her happy, Mr. Crowther.
Truly, I do.
♪
So be it.
♪
You didn't have to wait in the street.
I wanted some air, and
it's a lovely afternoon.
Yes, Dashiell's been lucky.
I'm looking forward to it.
Miss Beaton.
♪
We're going to Mr. Montgomery's party.
Mother, are you listening?
Is that from father?
How's he getting on?
It's from the Duke of Buckingham.
What does he want?
He confirms that he's
coming to New York City
for the opera opening night.
And that's good, is it?
Don't be such a child.
Of course it's good.
It's wonderful.
I will have an English
Duke as the guest of honor
in my box on the opening
night, and I very much doubt
Mrs. Astor can say the same.
In fact, I'm going to send
a note to Mr. McAllister
to tempt him to join our
party and abandon hers.
I don't understand.
Are you and Mrs. Astor
friends or rivals?
The two are not exclusive.
♪
I don't really understand
why you asked to see me,
Dr. Sanders.
Dr. Murphy gave me a salve
that seems to be working.
I'm afraid Dr. Murphy's analysis
suggested other possibilities.
He asked my advice because
I have more experience
with this condition.
What, bad backs?
♪
Try to remember that reading is a key,
and it will unlock your
life if only you'll let it.
Oh, Miss Frost, may I help?
Aren't you going to
the party being given
by Frances Montgomery's father?
I'm sure she said you've been invited.
- That doesn't matter.
- Nonsense.
You can't miss it.
I heard it's going to be splendid.
I'll take over here.
- I don't know.
- Go.
We'll see you next week.
All right, who's next?
[SWEEPING MUSIC]
♪
How splendid this is.
Marian will be furious with herself
when she hears what she's missed.
That's good of you.
Oh, no.
Larry!
- Hello, Mr. Russell.
- Hello.
Miss Russell.
He seems keen. Who is he?
Anthony Grace.
- Another suitor?
- You joke.
He's been stalking me
at every ball I go to.
Well, you are a debutante.
You're an heiress.
What did you expect?
I didn't quite understand
it would be open season.
Nonsense.
They are the hunters,
and you're the prey.
Just fend them off until
you find the right one.
It's exhausting.
At least you won't have to worry
about Oscar van Rhijn anymore.
I'm happy for Mr. Van
Rhijn and Miss Beaton.
I've met her. She's nice.
You're in a very sunny mood.
I feel sunny.
Things are going well.
Or is it a risk to say that?
Even if it is, you are not
afraid of taking a risk,
are you?
Certainly not.
[LAUGHS]
[LIGHT MUSIC]
♪
Really, Mr. Van Rhijn,
isn't this the moment
when I slap you and walk off in a huff?
Not in our version of the story.
Oh, there you are.
♪
You've found me.
Hasn't Dashiell done things well?
It's lovely.
♪
Are you fond of flowers, Aunt Agnes?
Very fond.
As long as someone else has grown them.
Oh, look!
I hope it's all right that I came.
It's more than all right.
We're very pleased to see you, my dear.
Aren't we, Dashiell?
I can certainly say I am.
♪
Mr. Bannister.
What can I do for you?
I hope that you will
forgive this intrusion,
but I wonder, has Mr.
Russell read his mail today?
Mr. Russell is in Pittsburgh.
Why do you ask?
A letter was delivered
by hand last night,
and I'm anxious to get it back.
I don't think I can allow that.
I see that I must ask it as a favor.
But first, might I explain?
Very well.
♪
As you may have guessed,
I wrote the letter myself,
and now I regret it.
Why did you write it?
To complain about the behavior
of Mrs. Russell in the opera war.
It's been upsetting Mrs. Van Rhijn,
and I asked Mr. Russell to exercise
control over his wife.
How on Earth did you
think you could write
such a thing to Mr. Russell?
If he sees it, you'll lose your job.
And this time, it won't be my fault.
I can't explain it.
I must have been mad.
Of course, you'll think I
deserve whatever happens,
and I don't blame you.
♪
These are the master's letters.
Normally, they're
collected in the morning,
but his secretary, Mr. Clay,
is with him in Pittsburgh.
That's it. Thank you.
I must confess, it's quite a relief.
I'm tempted to ask if I can read it,
given everything you've said.
If you'll forgive me, I
prefer to spare my blushes.
♪
Good day, Mr. Church.
♪
I think Oscar is going
to surprise us all,
and I couldn't be happier.
Do you mean what I think you mean?
My lips are sealed.
It must come from him.
Oh, there you are. Father
sent me to find you.
It's about to begin.
♪
- Can you manage it?
- Yes, yes.
This is quite a to-do for
the unveiling of a plaque.
Ah, There's Miss Brook.
Oh, what is it?
♪
I moved back to New York
to see Frances settled
in my old hometown, but to my surprise,
fate had plans for me too.
I never thought I'd find
someone else to love,
to stand by my side,
to care for my daughter
as if she were her own.
We are here to celebrate
what my family has done
for the botanical gardens,
but my family is not yet complete.
I realized that soon
after I met Miss Brook.
Many of you here are
friends of Miss Brook,
and may have been
puzzled by my invitation.
The truth is, I have
invited you to witness this.
Marian Brook, will you marry me?
Bravo.
She hasn't accepted him yet.
She will.
Is Aunt Agnes right?
Will you?
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
If you really want me to.
[CROWD EXCLAIMING]
[APPLAUSE]
♪
Wow.
♪
Dashiell, well done, well done.
I have to go. I have to pack.
I'll see you when you get back.
I'd like to think so.
♪
Congratulations.
♪
It's just hard to relive.
♪
I have a lead on another story.
My mother is a friend of Sarah Garnet,
principal of one of the
three colored schools.
Yeah, I know who she is.
Well, she says that
the Board of Education
is trying to close all of
the schools, including hers.
I heard that was the
plan, but I never thought
they'd go through with it.
They've been smearing
the colored teachers
and saying that the
schools are badly run.
Can't we expose them?
We can, and we will.
But first, we must rally the community.
Mrs. Garnet said we
needed you in this fight.
She was right.
We can start on that tomorrow.
Is that wise?
What do you mean?
Only that we wrote the
Tuskegee article together.
Maybe another journalist
should cover the story.
You brought me the idea.
Don't you want to write it?
I just wonder what it looks like
if we write everything together.
It looks and it reads
like good journalism.
First, we need to speak to the teachers.
I can start that.
But it's late.
Your family must be expecting you.
I don't like leaving you alone.
Why? I can finish and close up.
- Whoa!
- Don't get out.
You can wait for me here.
If you insist on doing this,
then I'm coming with you.
No, I'll go in alone.
If I had the power, I'd forbid it.
But you don't have that power.
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Please, sit down.
Thank you.
I'm surprised you'd come here.
Why not? You came to my house.
And now, I hope we can find
a way out of this situation.
We cannot offer you the
hospitality you showed
my husband, Mr. Russell, but perhaps,
you'll have some coffee.
Thank you. You're very kind.
I know you're a proud man,
and I do not hold it against you.
I've come quite a distance too,
and I'm proud of the company I've built.
Like you, I'll fight for it.
I am proud.
I'm proud of my work and my family.
And my job is to protect them.
We need the union to do
right by our families.
But if it comes to violence,
no one wins, and everyone suffers.
Your workers are already suffering.
They have no life.
They work 10, 12, 14 hours
a day, six days a week,
for which they're paid barely enough
to put food on the table.
Your horses have
better treatment by far.
We offered a raised to your tradesmen.
And they refused because we
won't be divided, as you know.
I cannot pay a different
basic rate for common labor
without disrupting steel
production across the state,
across all of America.
And that's your last word.
My last word on pay.
On safety, even welfare,
there may be more
to talk about, but not on pay.
Then there is nothing more to say.
There is no point to this.
The union funds will soon run dry,
and I will starve you out.
The men will do what they must to stop
scabs from taking our jobs.
Some of them will get
hurt. Some may die.
Doesn't that trouble you?
The stakes are high for all of us.
I hope it doesn't come to violence.
But we're prepared if it does.
That's good.
I'm leaving now, Mrs. Henderson.
But I want to thank you for my coffee.
This is Mr. Russell. He owns the mills.
I've started at the mill myself, sir.
My shift begins in an hour.
I'm sure we're glad to have you.
I hope you find a way
to settle things, sir,
for all our sakes.
I'm afraid I have not been
able to persuade your husband.
He only tries to do his best.
I would claim the same.
But I've held up your
children's luncheon
long enough.
Good day to you.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
The strike affects the whole town.
My mills employ the whole town.
Exactly.
We don't have a choice.
We have to work to survive.
Which is why you've made
your son work in a place
where he's treated worse than a horse.
This fight is for all our sons
to have something better.
I see.
- Thank you for your hospitality.
- Yeah.
♪
What will you do now?
What can I do? Bring them out on strike.
May God help us all.
♪
They'll take them out today, or soon.
He has nothing to gain by giving us
more time to prepare.
I'll cable the governor and make sure
of our new workforce.
His wife was there, and his children.
I'm surprised they were not at school.
♪
Is there a school?
I neither know nor care.
♪
One for you today.
Aren't you going to open it?
I will when I'm ready.
To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?
If only it were pleasant.
I'm afraid we have a serious
problem, Mrs. Van Rhijn.
Please, do sit down.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
♪
What is the urgency?
Apparently, a couple of the old guard
have already been lured
away from the Academy
to join the Wintertons
at the Metropolitan.
I'm afraid others will soon follow.
That's not all.
The Duke of Buckingham has
agreed to be Mrs. Russell's
guest of honor at the opening.
He will hear the opera from her box.
And the world will know it.
So what can we do?
What can we do?
I don't know, Lina, but you'd
better think of something.
You.
You know him.
You've dined with him.
Get him to ditch her and
come to the Academy instead.
What? How?
Find out what she's
offered and double it.
Treble it if you must. Btu get him.
Lina, you cannot buy a duke.
Just watch me.
I'll do my best, but if I fail
You won't.
You can't.
Even if I succeed, it may not be enough.
I don't think I want to hear this.
Agnes, what else is there to be done?
We need a two-fold attack.
I will try to sway the duke,
but you try to find
another trick up your sleeve
to deal with Mrs. Russell.
That is, if you want to win.
I'm glad you got it back, but please,
don't ever write another.
I know. I won't write another.
That's all done with now.
Oh, have you finished
laying the luncheon?
Are you all right?
You've been in a funny mood all morning.
I got my letter from the patent office.
They said my work cannot be considered
since I don't belong to a horological
institute or society.
Well, I'm glad someone with common sense
finally joined the chorus.
What is "horororogical"?
Clockmakers.
So that's that then.
Now, not so fast, lad.
Don't give up quite yet.
I knew it was too good to be true.
Sanity returns to 61st Street.
♪
Can't he just join one of those
"horororo" whatever it is clubs?
I'm afraid he needs certificates
and qualifications he hasn't got.
Is there any way around it?
♪
- Marian.
- I expected your summons.
I hope you think I've
done the right thing.
You're talking about Dashiell?
You said yourself he has all the gifts
the sensible woman could want.
Yes, but I didn't send for you.
But Uncle Luke wrote
I wrote that we needed
you to come, and we do.
I saw another doctor.
He came here.
I have more than a bad back.
And I wanted Marion here
with us when I told you.
Told me what?
First, I think we should all sit down.
Come, Ada, sit next to me.
Pay no mind to Miss Armstrong.
What does she know anyway?
You're doing something none
of us could ever imagine.
So keep at it.
- Promise.
- I promise.
I guess.
♪
Are they quite sure?
I'm afraid so.
He has cancer.
- Oh.
- Oh.
But how can that be? He
was here the other day.
The only thing wrong
with him was a bad back.
This one starts with a bad back,
and then it spreads.
He's seen two doctors.
I must look after Ada.
Marian, please, ask
Bannister to fetch me a cab,
and have Armstrong come
and get me ready to go out.
Poor Aunt Ada. She
doesn't have much luck.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
Come and lie down beside me.
We're going to get through this.
Who knows, maybe one day,
you'll be sharing your
miracle from the pulpit.
♪
[BELL CHIMES]
Oh.
[CRYING]
I'm here.
I'm here, and you're not to worry.
♪
Mr. Bannister, is everything all right?
I'm expecting Mrs. Van
Rhijn at any moment.
We're to have an invalid in the house,
and she's bringing him.
Sorry to hear that.
Mr. Church, a while ago,
you asked me to forget
our little contretemps
that time when you got me into
trouble with Mrs. Van Rhijn.
I remember.
You didn't think it was within
your power to forgive me.
I was wrong.
For me, at least, it is
all forgotten entirely.
♪
- But where's Uncle Luke?
- They wouldn't come.
Nothing I said would persuade them.
And now I'm going up. I'm exhausted.
Bannister, would you tell Armstrong?
Of course, ma'am.
John, tell Mrs. Bauer I'll
have a tray in my room.
What's happening?
My aunt's husband has been taken ill.
And we hoped we could nurse
him here, but it seems not.
I am sorry,
especially when you
ought to be celebrating.
Why?
Because you're engaged.
Oh. [LAUGHS]
Oh, yes.
This news has rather
driven that out of my head.
Please let me be of help.
Thank you. I'll remember that.
[PEOPLE SHOUTING IN DISTANCE]
What's he saying?
The strikers are still blocking
the gates against the scabs.
They won't let them in the mills,
but he's confident the
guard can have them inside
and working before too long.
- How long?
- Within the hour.
And the strikers can go
home and nurse their bruises.
[GUNSHOTS]
I must get down there.
That is exactly what you can't do.
I'm not staying here
if they're using guns.
Take me to the commanding officer.
Sir, it's not safe.
Do you think I'm going
to sit in an office
while my mills go up in flames?
- Take me there now.
- Yes, sir.
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight
On behalf of these
men, I ask you to leave.
If you stay, there will be bloodshed.
I beg you, go.
Eight, eight, eight!
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight
What were those shots?
Please go back into the building, sir.
Go back, all of you.
It's not safe for you to be here.
I am George Russell. These are my mills.
And I demand to know what's happening.
They were warning
shots. No one was hurt.
One moment, sir.
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight
[SHUSHING]
We're here to clear the
way for the new workers
to get the mills back into production.
We have no wish to shed
blood, but we shall do so.
We will mow every one
of you down if we must.
You have one minute to clear the way.
Eight, eight, eight!
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight, eight
Captain, ready the troops to fire.
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight, eight
Company, load!
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight
Son, come here, come here.
Workmen!
Hold your ground!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Front rank, kneel!
♪
Ready!
Aim!
♪
Henderson, get your men back,
and take your son with you!
Why wait? They've had their warning.
Give the order.
♪
- Tell them to stand down.
- What?
- Tell them.
- Don't weaken now!
Tell them!
Captain, stand down the troops.
Company, recover!
Front rank, stand!
[STRIKERS CHEERING]
♪
What have you done?
How could I?
These men have families.
♪
- Workmen!
- STRIKERS: Unite!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[BRIGHT TONE]
[TV STATIC DRONES]
[BRIGHT TONE]
[SPIRITED ORCHESTRAL MUSIC]
♪
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight!
I won't keep you all night!
You have little enough time of your own!
That's right. Eight, eight, eight!
Eight hours of work,
eight hours of rest,
and eight hours
ALL: For what you will!
Now, they'll be ready with
their patrols and their guns.
We'll bring weapons of our own!
- Yeah!
- No scabs will take our job!
[ALL CHANTING] Strike, strike, strike,
strike, strike, strike, strike,
strike, strike, strike, strike,
strike, strike
With the Wintertons joining us
And bringing a host of friends.
I feel more confident than ever
that our new Metropolitan
Opera will be a great success.
This is good news.
May I ask, who are
the friends you propose
to bring over to our side?
The people you want, but couldn't get,
the Wilsons, the Marshalls,
the Webbs, and many others.
My.
Mr. Winterton can be very persuasive.
But there is one slight issue.
[CHUCKLES] Why am I not surprised?
The Wintertons have done us
such a great service in this.
Yes.
And they want the central
box in the first tier.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
You mean my box?
Where else should we
sit when we've encouraged
our friends to leave the Academy?
They'll expect us to
be in the central box.
We all want the
Metropolitan to be a success.
Surely, we can agree on that.
And now it will be, thanks to us.
♪
This should take you through the week.
♪
Just sign here.
♪
- Sir?
- Ah.
Mr. Church. He was drunk?
I wonder if Mr. Russell
knows that his butler
goes out and gets drunk.
It's not our concern.
I don't agree.
And I do not believe that
I can let it rest there.
Is it that stupid letter again?
- He said he was sorry.
- He can say what he likes.
He still wrote it.
So this is a chance for revenge?
Is it revenge I seek?
Or is it justice?
That is the question.
♪
Ah, Mr. Van Rhijn, thank you for coming.
I have your check right here.
Your note surprised me.
I'm not sure I understand.
I have already told you
that the principals want
to proceed with as few investors
in the partnership as possible.
I was able to get you in,
but they're now insisting
that we reduce our numbers,
and so they are paying
a premium to buy out all
of the smaller stakeholders.
I think you'll find you made
a good return in a short time.
Astonishing return.
I'm pleased if you're pleased.
But suppose I don't
want to accept the check.
How much would I have to
invest to be a principal
and not a small stakeholder?
I don't know, Mr. Van
Rhijn, a great deal of money.
My advice would be to cash that check
and enjoy the profits you have made.
But if I don't cash it,
and I come back in two days
with a great deal of money?
Mr. Van Rhijn, may I ask,
is Miss Beaton aware of any of this?
No, she would only try to dissuade me,
but please, don't worry about that.
I will tell her in good time
for us to celebrate together.
♪
- Is it dinner?
- Not quite, ma'am.
I should have brought these
up earlier, but I forgot.
It's the afternoon post.
It came when you were out.
- I am sorry.
- Never mind.
- [SIGHS]
- Who was that from?
Your Aunt Ada.
No doubt bleating on
about her untold happiness.
If only it were untold.
I think she is happy.
Oh, this is from Dashiell.
He's giving a party to
support the botanical gardens.
That's good of him.
His family have been patrons for years.
But more to the point, he wants
you to be one of the guests.
Then why didn't he write to me?
Well, I'm also invited.
But clearly, he is quite taken with you.
I know you think Dashiell very suitable.
You must give me some credit, Marian.
I do not think he is suitable
because he is well-born and rich,
but in addition to
those useful qualities,
he is also intelligent and very nice.
He's even handsome.
What more could a girl ask for?
I only mean that you should consider it.
Aunt Ada said something similar.
Really?
As a rule, realism is
not her strong suit.
When is Dashiell's party?
The afternoon of the 21st.
What's the matter?
That's the afternoon I said I would
teach Jane Addams' class.
Oh, you cannot be serious.
You would miss it to
teach a bunch of indigents?
How will painting help them anyway?
What are they to learn next? Gilding?
Lace making? How to dive for pearls?
I'm teaching them to read and write.
But why not teach
them the following day.
They'll still be poor and needy
on the 22nd, I promise you.
What does Aunt Ada say?
What does she always say?
She's wonderful, he's wonderful,
even the Niagara Falls are wonderful.
She seems rather limited
in her choice of adjectives.
Let her enjoy herself.
And when they come back to New York,
please be kind to
them, for all our sakes.
It is hard to be kind when he has taken
advantage of her innocence.
I think good will come from it.
Good came from the American Revolution,
but it was difficult to
live through all the same.
♪
I can't even imagine
the danger you were in.
They might have killed you.
I believe that was their intention.
How was Mr. Fortune through it all?
Brave.
Braver than I was. He stood up to them.
That was what got us into trouble.
It's quite a story,
trembling all night in a barn,
listening to a ravening mob hurtling by.
I imagine it brought you closer.
- He kissed me.
- What?
- When?
- In the barn.
We were frightened for our lives,
hiding, huddled together.
- But he's married.
- I know!
Of course you do. I'm sorry.
It was wrong and foolish.
But the truth is, he's a friend now.
I can talk to him about anything.
Even my son.
He understands, and he challenges me.
He champions my work.
You mean you're in love with him?
- I'm sorry?
- That's what it sounds like.
And I don't want you to be hurt.
It's too late for that.
The only thing we both know for certain
is that I'm going to get hurt.
[CLOCK TICKING]
♪
[ALARM RINGING]
♪
6:00 on the dot.
I really think I cracked it.
I knew you would if you didn't give up.
Yes, well done, Jack.
- It's a real achievement.
- I'm so pleased for you.
Might I ask for the stairs to be brushed
and the rug put straight?
I nearly tripped coming down.
Never mind that now.
What will you do next, Jack?
What do you think he
should do, Mr. Bannister?
Well, if you're serious, and
the clock really does work
It does, Mr. Bannister.
And you've invented a new
element that makes it work.
A lot was just servicing it,
but I have made a new
kind of escape wheel.
You can't buy one like it.
Oh, well, you're talking double Dutch,
but I'd say you should
apply for a patent
to protect your invention.
Could I do that?
You'd have to ride to Washington
or go to a government
office here in New York.
They'll have to check that no one else
has invented the same thing.
That's it.
Then they'll tell you if your
application's been successful.
But how much would it cost?
Oh, I know about this
because I had a friend
who tried for a patent and failed.
- The charge is $15 when you apply
- [INHALES SHARPLY]
And $20 more if they grant it.
I'll have to wait and save it up.
You can't wait.
Someone else may beat you to it.
I've got $2. You'll take it.
- Oh, no, I couldn't.
- You can have 4 from me.
- And I've got 4.
- I could give you 1.
Miss Marian will want to add some.
- Yes.
- You'll have what you need.
You'll get nothing from me.
I work too hard to
waste it on moonshine.
You can go on Thursday.
I'll tell Mrs. Van Rhijn.
What if you pay the money,
and they refuse the patent?
Do you get the money back?
I don't know.
You let us worry about that.
Thank you.
Thanks to all of you. I'll
never forget this, never.
Go and make us proud.
♪
Did anyone lay a hand on you?
No, because they didn't find us.
I wish you would've talked to
me about the South before you left.
Mother tried to warn me.
I'm not sure I fully believed
her then, but I do now.
I'm just grateful
that God protected you.
I wanted you to hear it from me
because the article about our trip
is coming out in "The Globe."
I thought you were there just
to write about the school?
We've covered that,
but we had to set down
what we'd seen as well.
I don't want you doing any more stories
that put you in harm's way.
How could I know what would happen?
I would have.
It's typical for Alabama.
A woman should not have a
job that could get her killed.
So you'd rather I just
sat in your pharmacy
and did nothing with my skills to help
better the world in some way?
- That's not what I'm saying.
- We just want you to be safe.
Well, you can't always
keep your children safe.
You know that.
I only wanted to alert
you about the article,
not start a war.
I'm glad you're telling their stories.
Education and training is the
way forward for our people.
And they are doing their
level best to stop us.
Even here in New York.
- You should write about that.
- About what?
The Education Board
is trying to close down
the colored schools,
including Mrs. Sarah Garnet's.
- Where you play piano?
- Yes.
And more importantly,
where Sarah is principal.
If they prevail, the
students won't go to school,
while Sarah and the other
teachers have no work.
Well, that's shameful.
What reason do they
give for the closure?
As if they need one.
But they say the colored
teachers are inferior.
The lies they tell themselves.
They have to be stopped.
Well, if you'd like to help,
I was about to leave for
a meeting at Sarah's shop.
I'll come with you.
All right, I'll get my things.
♪
When will you be coming home?
I don't know.
♪
My dear.
♪
I know it's silly, but
I feel rather nervous.
No need.
You're an independent married woman,
fully the equal of Mrs. Van Rhijn.
Of course.
But I'm not sure Agnes
will quite see that.
♪
The Niagara Falls were really wonderful.
So much more impressive
than in the photograph.
Yes, so you said in your letters.
We've settled into the rectory,
and Pumpkin seems quite happy there.
Settled?
When did you get home?
Monday evening.
But I wanted to unpack and
get things back to normal
before we came to visit.
I see.
May I fetch you some more coffee?
- Oh, yes, thank
- [GRUNTS]
Is something wrong?
Alas, I suffer from a bad back,
like too many of my parishioners.
I'm afraid I made it worse.
Luke carried me across the threshold.
By night, I hope.
It's not exactly an image
for public consumption.
I do want you to go see the doctor.
But there's nothing to be done.
Oh, there must be
something. Do sit down.
I'll ring for John.
And I'll ask him to call on
Dr. Lewis to come and see you.
I suppose Marian is teaching,
or else she'd be here with us.
This teaching nonsense
has taken over her life.
It's not nonsense, Agnes.
She has promised some
do-gooder that she would teach
some class of beggars to
read and write on the evening
of cousin Dashiell's party.
For which she deserves our praise.
Oh, she cannot miss
Dashiell's party for them.
What does she think?
That their social
diaries will prevent them
from changing the date?
She takes her commitment
to the poor seriously.
Jesus teaches
Even Jesus would understand that she
cannot turn down a potential suitor
for a bunch of hobbledehoys.
I'm not sure he would.
[CHUCKLES]
You were kind to bring her home.
I meant for you to put her in a cab.
I like to walk.
Is the carriage mended yet?
It will be tomorrow.
♪
Is that your wife?
Yes, that's Harriet.
It's so nice to have
it there as a reminder.
Well, I don't need reminding.
Will they have our portraits
at the botanical gardens too?
No, that will just be
a plaque with our names.
And the names of my parents too.
How nice.
Our family sponsored the new solarium.
I'm so sorry to have to miss it.
What?
Don't say that. Why?
I'm taking an evening class
to teach the basic skills
needed to find work.
Reading, writing, you
know, that sort of thing.
This is for poor people?
Yes, and that's the date.
Couldn't you change it?
Please.
It won't be the same without you there.
I'm afraid I can't be.
The school asked me to take
the lesson, and I said yes.
But you don't have to
do what they tell you.
It's not as if you're a real teacher.
I wish you would reconsider.
I don't think the
poor people would mind.
[CHUCKLES]
♪
In short, we must work together.
Please join us in showing your support
by signing the petition
to stop the board.
Thank you.
[APPLAUSE]
♪
Look who I brought.
Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?
It's so nice to see you again.
But I'm sorry it's under
these circumstances.
I am as well.
If you stay determined, they won't win.
It's an uphill battle.
Some of the teachers are
already looking for new jobs.
I have the seamstress shop,
but that won't be enough
to make a living if the schools close.
Organizing this meeting
is a good first step.
But it's not enough.
You know, Peggy has an
important piece coming out
in "The Globe" about
Booker T. Washington's
school in Tuskegee.
Mother.
I was just thinking,
this could be your next article.
First, she wrote about
education in the South,
but we face our own
challenges here in the North.
That's exactly what we
need, public exposure.
Some folks don't even
know this is happening.
We need parents, and colored businesses,
and the press to fight this together.
What do you say?
It does sound like something my editor
would be interested in.
But I have to speak with him first.
Whatever you can do, Peggy,
we'd be most appreciative.
Well, I think your editor
is going to be interested.
I think so as well.
So could you move the Mansfields
to the 10th, please?
And send a thank you
letter to the governor.
Of course.
You cannot know how happy
I am to have you back,
Miss Scott.
John, what is this
business Bannister has been
telling me about a clock?
John's invented a type of alarm clock.
- He's applying for a patent.
- How exciting.
We all rely on alarm clocks,
and most of them don't work.
- I rely on Armstrong.
- Who always sets an alarm.
We've all chipped in downstairs for John
to pay the patent fee.
Well, then we must contribute.
I think I got enough money.
No one has enough money.
Here are $5.
And I'll give you 3.
But Miss Armstrong
asked would I pay back
the money if they don't
give me the patent,
and I'm not sure I could.
Never mind Armstrong.
I like the idea of
supporting an inventor.
And now we must go up and change.
♪
People can surprise you, can't they?
They believe in you.
And so do I.
♪
Why did you come to New York?
There was more possibilities over here.
Are you proficient in hairstyling?
I did my own today.
Women have their hair
done for the gentlemen.
Don't you agree, Mr. Church?
And Mrs. Wagner would
give you a reference?
Not Mrs. Wagner, no.
She's dead.
All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy.
And I was sick of London.
Wouldn't you say so, Mr. Church?
I think we've heard enough.
- We'll let you know.
- You have my address.
I hope you'll be the one to write to me.
Can you find your way out?
[SCOFFS] If I have to.
♪
- No.
- No.
[HORSE WHINNIES]
Might I make a suggestion?
I could come for a trial
of a week or a month,
with no obligation on either side.
Then Mrs. Russell would have
time to make up her mind.
Very sensible.
Then I think that is everything.
♪
I will bid you good day.
♪
I would say our search is done.
Most definitely.
♪
Pinkerton's men say the worker's resolve
is stronger than ever and they'll fight
if it comes to it.
- Mr. Russell.
- I'll be with you in a moment.
Could you give Mr. Gilbert some coffee?
Go on.
They barricaded the mills and the river.
The governor will send
the National Guard,
and the scab labor's ready to take over.
Will we have trouble
getting them inside?
We'll have troops here and here
to escort them through the gates.
So you think you can get
the scabs into the mills?
I can guarantee.
There are no guarantees in war.
And that's what this is.
As you yourself have said.
And now, Mr. Gilbert,
you've been very patient.
Of course, sir.
It's some time since I've been
in a railroad car as fine as this.
You can see I'm rather busy.
And I'm on my way to
Pittsburgh, so perhaps,
I should cut straight to my
reasons for asking you here.
- Good.
- Mrs. Russell tells me
that Mr. And Mrs. Joshua Winterton
have abandoned the
Academy and come to you.
They have.
I don't really know why, but
it is quite a coup for us.
Just so.
And I gather Mrs. Winterton
has requested the very box
that was earmarked for my wife.
Mrs. Russell has very
graciously agreed to step aside.
Ah, now, that is what cannot happen.
I'm sorry. Is the train moving?
On the opening night,
Mrs. Russell will preside
from the central box in the first tier.
- But I've already
- A memory test for you.
Some time ago, work
stopped on the upper house
because you ran out of money.
When and why did it start again?
Because you signed a check.
But Mrs. Russell was not to be told.
And now you have a similar conundrum.
Mrs. Russell will have her box back,
but neither she nor Mrs. Winterton
needs to be aware of this
before the opening night.
But the Wintertons are difficult.
What if I can't arrange it?
Then I will demand the debt
is repaid at once and in full.
The whole debt?
For which you yourself have signed.
Now, I'm afraid I must
get back to my work.
Good day, Mr. Gilbert.
But the train's left the station.
You can ride with us to
Middleton and get off there.
Take a seat.
♪
Oh, I saw the doctor for my back.
- He gave me some liniment.
- Good.
He's looking into one or two things,
but he seems to think I'm
in reasonably good shape.
Will there be anything else?
I don't think so, no.
Unless you want some cheese?
No, thank you.
What do you mean, he's
looking into some things?
There's nothing to worry about.
["BLUE DANUBE" PLAYING]
What is that?
That is our very own music box.
- What?
- [LAUGHS]
It sounds so loud.
It must be a very grand one.
A parishioner gave it to
us as a wedding present.
I asked Sally to turn it on.
It's playing the "Blue Danube."
Mm-hmm.
♪
Come dance with me.
♪
You make me feel as if I were 16 again.
Is that good?
It feels good to me.
♪
Hello.
Where are you coming from?
I stood in line all afternoon
at a government office
to try to get a patent for my invention.
I'm sorry I haven't been around lately.
Thought you'd gone off me.
I spent all my spare
time working on my clock.
Were you successful with the patent?
I don't know yet.
We had a business here the other night.
Mr. Church went out and came home drunk.
Apparently, it was the 30th anniversary
of his wife's death.
She died of smallpox
on her 24th birthday.
- That's very sad.
- I know.
- I may not be here much longer.
- Why not?
They're interviewing
for a new lady's maid.
Have they given you any notice?
Not yet.
I'm supposed to look
after Miss Gladys again.
But haven't you always
been her maid too?
It's a demotion, whatever you say.
All right, I better go in.
If you do leave, will you tell me?
Good luck with the patent.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
♪
You're back, good.
I thought I might have
to serve dinner alone.
Tell us all about it.
There's nothing to tell.
I stood in line, I filled
in the forms, paid the fee.
Now I just have to wait.
I saw Miss Weber in the street.
She told me that Mr. Church
went out the other night
and came back drunk.
Mr. Church, the butler?
I find that hard to believe.
It was the 30th anniversary
of his wife's death.
Oh, that's awful.
That must have been the
smallpox outbreak of '53.
It was. She was 24.
Mr. Bannister, might I have a word?
♪
I hope you'll let it go now.
Mr. Church has been through enough.
I would, but I've already written.
I delivered it last night.
Well, you must do something.
♪
- Did you get my message?
- I did.
You're very persistent, Mr. Van Rhijn.
♪
I have the money.
I might as well tell you
that I'm not comfortable about this.
I'm not comfortable at all.
Why not?
Miss Beaton may appear to
be witty and sophisticated,
but the truth is, she's an innocent.
She has always been protected
- By her father, Mr. Gould?
- Never mind that.
It's enough to say she
does not deserve to be used.
But I'm not using her.
I swear to you that she
will enjoy the benefits
of this transaction as much as I will.
I mean to make her happy, Mr. Crowther.
Truly, I do.
♪
So be it.
♪
You didn't have to wait in the street.
I wanted some air, and
it's a lovely afternoon.
Yes, Dashiell's been lucky.
I'm looking forward to it.
Miss Beaton.
♪
We're going to Mr. Montgomery's party.
Mother, are you listening?
Is that from father?
How's he getting on?
It's from the Duke of Buckingham.
What does he want?
He confirms that he's
coming to New York City
for the opera opening night.
And that's good, is it?
Don't be such a child.
Of course it's good.
It's wonderful.
I will have an English
Duke as the guest of honor
in my box on the opening
night, and I very much doubt
Mrs. Astor can say the same.
In fact, I'm going to send
a note to Mr. McAllister
to tempt him to join our
party and abandon hers.
I don't understand.
Are you and Mrs. Astor
friends or rivals?
The two are not exclusive.
♪
I don't really understand
why you asked to see me,
Dr. Sanders.
Dr. Murphy gave me a salve
that seems to be working.
I'm afraid Dr. Murphy's analysis
suggested other possibilities.
He asked my advice because
I have more experience
with this condition.
What, bad backs?
♪
Try to remember that reading is a key,
and it will unlock your
life if only you'll let it.
Oh, Miss Frost, may I help?
Aren't you going to
the party being given
by Frances Montgomery's father?
I'm sure she said you've been invited.
- That doesn't matter.
- Nonsense.
You can't miss it.
I heard it's going to be splendid.
I'll take over here.
- I don't know.
- Go.
We'll see you next week.
All right, who's next?
[SWEEPING MUSIC]
♪
How splendid this is.
Marian will be furious with herself
when she hears what she's missed.
That's good of you.
Oh, no.
Larry!
- Hello, Mr. Russell.
- Hello.
Miss Russell.
He seems keen. Who is he?
Anthony Grace.
- Another suitor?
- You joke.
He's been stalking me
at every ball I go to.
Well, you are a debutante.
You're an heiress.
What did you expect?
I didn't quite understand
it would be open season.
Nonsense.
They are the hunters,
and you're the prey.
Just fend them off until
you find the right one.
It's exhausting.
At least you won't have to worry
about Oscar van Rhijn anymore.
I'm happy for Mr. Van
Rhijn and Miss Beaton.
I've met her. She's nice.
You're in a very sunny mood.
I feel sunny.
Things are going well.
Or is it a risk to say that?
Even if it is, you are not
afraid of taking a risk,
are you?
Certainly not.
[LAUGHS]
[LIGHT MUSIC]
♪
Really, Mr. Van Rhijn,
isn't this the moment
when I slap you and walk off in a huff?
Not in our version of the story.
Oh, there you are.
♪
You've found me.
Hasn't Dashiell done things well?
It's lovely.
♪
Are you fond of flowers, Aunt Agnes?
Very fond.
As long as someone else has grown them.
Oh, look!
I hope it's all right that I came.
It's more than all right.
We're very pleased to see you, my dear.
Aren't we, Dashiell?
I can certainly say I am.
♪
Mr. Bannister.
What can I do for you?
I hope that you will
forgive this intrusion,
but I wonder, has Mr.
Russell read his mail today?
Mr. Russell is in Pittsburgh.
Why do you ask?
A letter was delivered
by hand last night,
and I'm anxious to get it back.
I don't think I can allow that.
I see that I must ask it as a favor.
But first, might I explain?
Very well.
♪
As you may have guessed,
I wrote the letter myself,
and now I regret it.
Why did you write it?
To complain about the behavior
of Mrs. Russell in the opera war.
It's been upsetting Mrs. Van Rhijn,
and I asked Mr. Russell to exercise
control over his wife.
How on Earth did you
think you could write
such a thing to Mr. Russell?
If he sees it, you'll lose your job.
And this time, it won't be my fault.
I can't explain it.
I must have been mad.
Of course, you'll think I
deserve whatever happens,
and I don't blame you.
♪
These are the master's letters.
Normally, they're
collected in the morning,
but his secretary, Mr. Clay,
is with him in Pittsburgh.
That's it. Thank you.
I must confess, it's quite a relief.
I'm tempted to ask if I can read it,
given everything you've said.
If you'll forgive me, I
prefer to spare my blushes.
♪
Good day, Mr. Church.
♪
I think Oscar is going
to surprise us all,
and I couldn't be happier.
Do you mean what I think you mean?
My lips are sealed.
It must come from him.
Oh, there you are. Father
sent me to find you.
It's about to begin.
♪
- Can you manage it?
- Yes, yes.
This is quite a to-do for
the unveiling of a plaque.
Ah, There's Miss Brook.
Oh, what is it?
♪
I moved back to New York
to see Frances settled
in my old hometown, but to my surprise,
fate had plans for me too.
I never thought I'd find
someone else to love,
to stand by my side,
to care for my daughter
as if she were her own.
We are here to celebrate
what my family has done
for the botanical gardens,
but my family is not yet complete.
I realized that soon
after I met Miss Brook.
Many of you here are
friends of Miss Brook,
and may have been
puzzled by my invitation.
The truth is, I have
invited you to witness this.
Marian Brook, will you marry me?
Bravo.
She hasn't accepted him yet.
She will.
Is Aunt Agnes right?
Will you?
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
If you really want me to.
[CROWD EXCLAIMING]
[APPLAUSE]
♪
Wow.
♪
Dashiell, well done, well done.
I have to go. I have to pack.
I'll see you when you get back.
I'd like to think so.
♪
Congratulations.
♪
It's just hard to relive.
♪
I have a lead on another story.
My mother is a friend of Sarah Garnet,
principal of one of the
three colored schools.
Yeah, I know who she is.
Well, she says that
the Board of Education
is trying to close all of
the schools, including hers.
I heard that was the
plan, but I never thought
they'd go through with it.
They've been smearing
the colored teachers
and saying that the
schools are badly run.
Can't we expose them?
We can, and we will.
But first, we must rally the community.
Mrs. Garnet said we
needed you in this fight.
She was right.
We can start on that tomorrow.
Is that wise?
What do you mean?
Only that we wrote the
Tuskegee article together.
Maybe another journalist
should cover the story.
You brought me the idea.
Don't you want to write it?
I just wonder what it looks like
if we write everything together.
It looks and it reads
like good journalism.
First, we need to speak to the teachers.
I can start that.
But it's late.
Your family must be expecting you.
I don't like leaving you alone.
Why? I can finish and close up.
- Whoa!
- Don't get out.
You can wait for me here.
If you insist on doing this,
then I'm coming with you.
No, I'll go in alone.
If I had the power, I'd forbid it.
But you don't have that power.
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Please, sit down.
Thank you.
I'm surprised you'd come here.
Why not? You came to my house.
And now, I hope we can find
a way out of this situation.
We cannot offer you the
hospitality you showed
my husband, Mr. Russell, but perhaps,
you'll have some coffee.
Thank you. You're very kind.
I know you're a proud man,
and I do not hold it against you.
I've come quite a distance too,
and I'm proud of the company I've built.
Like you, I'll fight for it.
I am proud.
I'm proud of my work and my family.
And my job is to protect them.
We need the union to do
right by our families.
But if it comes to violence,
no one wins, and everyone suffers.
Your workers are already suffering.
They have no life.
They work 10, 12, 14 hours
a day, six days a week,
for which they're paid barely enough
to put food on the table.
Your horses have
better treatment by far.
We offered a raised to your tradesmen.
And they refused because we
won't be divided, as you know.
I cannot pay a different
basic rate for common labor
without disrupting steel
production across the state,
across all of America.
And that's your last word.
My last word on pay.
On safety, even welfare,
there may be more
to talk about, but not on pay.
Then there is nothing more to say.
There is no point to this.
The union funds will soon run dry,
and I will starve you out.
The men will do what they must to stop
scabs from taking our jobs.
Some of them will get
hurt. Some may die.
Doesn't that trouble you?
The stakes are high for all of us.
I hope it doesn't come to violence.
But we're prepared if it does.
That's good.
I'm leaving now, Mrs. Henderson.
But I want to thank you for my coffee.
This is Mr. Russell. He owns the mills.
I've started at the mill myself, sir.
My shift begins in an hour.
I'm sure we're glad to have you.
I hope you find a way
to settle things, sir,
for all our sakes.
I'm afraid I have not been
able to persuade your husband.
He only tries to do his best.
I would claim the same.
But I've held up your
children's luncheon
long enough.
Good day to you.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
The strike affects the whole town.
My mills employ the whole town.
Exactly.
We don't have a choice.
We have to work to survive.
Which is why you've made
your son work in a place
where he's treated worse than a horse.
This fight is for all our sons
to have something better.
I see.
- Thank you for your hospitality.
- Yeah.
♪
What will you do now?
What can I do? Bring them out on strike.
May God help us all.
♪
They'll take them out today, or soon.
He has nothing to gain by giving us
more time to prepare.
I'll cable the governor and make sure
of our new workforce.
His wife was there, and his children.
I'm surprised they were not at school.
♪
Is there a school?
I neither know nor care.
♪
One for you today.
Aren't you going to open it?
I will when I'm ready.
To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?
If only it were pleasant.
I'm afraid we have a serious
problem, Mrs. Van Rhijn.
Please, do sit down.
[LIGHT MUSIC]
♪
What is the urgency?
Apparently, a couple of the old guard
have already been lured
away from the Academy
to join the Wintertons
at the Metropolitan.
I'm afraid others will soon follow.
That's not all.
The Duke of Buckingham has
agreed to be Mrs. Russell's
guest of honor at the opening.
He will hear the opera from her box.
And the world will know it.
So what can we do?
What can we do?
I don't know, Lina, but you'd
better think of something.
You.
You know him.
You've dined with him.
Get him to ditch her and
come to the Academy instead.
What? How?
Find out what she's
offered and double it.
Treble it if you must. Btu get him.
Lina, you cannot buy a duke.
Just watch me.
I'll do my best, but if I fail
You won't.
You can't.
Even if I succeed, it may not be enough.
I don't think I want to hear this.
Agnes, what else is there to be done?
We need a two-fold attack.
I will try to sway the duke,
but you try to find
another trick up your sleeve
to deal with Mrs. Russell.
That is, if you want to win.
I'm glad you got it back, but please,
don't ever write another.
I know. I won't write another.
That's all done with now.
Oh, have you finished
laying the luncheon?
Are you all right?
You've been in a funny mood all morning.
I got my letter from the patent office.
They said my work cannot be considered
since I don't belong to a horological
institute or society.
Well, I'm glad someone with common sense
finally joined the chorus.
What is "horororogical"?
Clockmakers.
So that's that then.
Now, not so fast, lad.
Don't give up quite yet.
I knew it was too good to be true.
Sanity returns to 61st Street.
♪
Can't he just join one of those
"horororo" whatever it is clubs?
I'm afraid he needs certificates
and qualifications he hasn't got.
Is there any way around it?
♪
- Marian.
- I expected your summons.
I hope you think I've
done the right thing.
You're talking about Dashiell?
You said yourself he has all the gifts
the sensible woman could want.
Yes, but I didn't send for you.
But Uncle Luke wrote
I wrote that we needed
you to come, and we do.
I saw another doctor.
He came here.
I have more than a bad back.
And I wanted Marion here
with us when I told you.
Told me what?
First, I think we should all sit down.
Come, Ada, sit next to me.
Pay no mind to Miss Armstrong.
What does she know anyway?
You're doing something none
of us could ever imagine.
So keep at it.
- Promise.
- I promise.
I guess.
♪
Are they quite sure?
I'm afraid so.
He has cancer.
- Oh.
- Oh.
But how can that be? He
was here the other day.
The only thing wrong
with him was a bad back.
This one starts with a bad back,
and then it spreads.
He's seen two doctors.
I must look after Ada.
Marian, please, ask
Bannister to fetch me a cab,
and have Armstrong come
and get me ready to go out.
Poor Aunt Ada. She
doesn't have much luck.
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
Come and lie down beside me.
We're going to get through this.
Who knows, maybe one day,
you'll be sharing your
miracle from the pulpit.
♪
[BELL CHIMES]
Oh.
[CRYING]
I'm here.
I'm here, and you're not to worry.
♪
Mr. Bannister, is everything all right?
I'm expecting Mrs. Van
Rhijn at any moment.
We're to have an invalid in the house,
and she's bringing him.
Sorry to hear that.
Mr. Church, a while ago,
you asked me to forget
our little contretemps
that time when you got me into
trouble with Mrs. Van Rhijn.
I remember.
You didn't think it was within
your power to forgive me.
I was wrong.
For me, at least, it is
all forgotten entirely.
♪
- But where's Uncle Luke?
- They wouldn't come.
Nothing I said would persuade them.
And now I'm going up. I'm exhausted.
Bannister, would you tell Armstrong?
Of course, ma'am.
John, tell Mrs. Bauer I'll
have a tray in my room.
What's happening?
My aunt's husband has been taken ill.
And we hoped we could nurse
him here, but it seems not.
I am sorry,
especially when you
ought to be celebrating.
Why?
Because you're engaged.
Oh. [LAUGHS]
Oh, yes.
This news has rather
driven that out of my head.
Please let me be of help.
Thank you. I'll remember that.
[PEOPLE SHOUTING IN DISTANCE]
What's he saying?
The strikers are still blocking
the gates against the scabs.
They won't let them in the mills,
but he's confident the
guard can have them inside
and working before too long.
- How long?
- Within the hour.
And the strikers can go
home and nurse their bruises.
[GUNSHOTS]
I must get down there.
That is exactly what you can't do.
I'm not staying here
if they're using guns.
Take me to the commanding officer.
Sir, it's not safe.
Do you think I'm going
to sit in an office
while my mills go up in flames?
- Take me there now.
- Yes, sir.
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight
On behalf of these
men, I ask you to leave.
If you stay, there will be bloodshed.
I beg you, go.
Eight, eight, eight!
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight
What were those shots?
Please go back into the building, sir.
Go back, all of you.
It's not safe for you to be here.
I am George Russell. These are my mills.
And I demand to know what's happening.
They were warning
shots. No one was hurt.
One moment, sir.
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight
[SHUSHING]
We're here to clear the
way for the new workers
to get the mills back into production.
We have no wish to shed
blood, but we shall do so.
We will mow every one
of you down if we must.
You have one minute to clear the way.
Eight, eight, eight!
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight, eight
Captain, ready the troops to fire.
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight, eight
Company, load!
[ALL CHANTING] Eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight, eight,
eight, eight, eight
Son, come here, come here.
Workmen!
Hold your ground!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Front rank, kneel!
♪
Ready!
Aim!
♪
Henderson, get your men back,
and take your son with you!
Why wait? They've had their warning.
Give the order.
♪
- Tell them to stand down.
- What?
- Tell them.
- Don't weaken now!
Tell them!
Captain, stand down the troops.
Company, recover!
Front rank, stand!
[STRIKERS CHEERING]
♪
What have you done?
How could I?
These men have families.
♪
- Workmen!
- STRIKERS: Unite!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[BRIGHT TONE]