Mr Selfridge (2013) s03e01 Episode Script

We now commit her body to the ground.
Earth to earth.
Ashes to ashes.
Dust to dust.
Goodbye, Ma.
Goodbye, Ma.
Goodbye, Ma.
Goodbye, my darling.
How am I going to live without her? You'll find a way.
'Here's Harry Selfridge returning from a successful shopping trip to the Emerald Isle.
' ~ Welcome back to England! ~ Just a few questions.
Mr Selfridge, how was your trip to Dublin? Brown Thomas is now a part of the Selfridge department store group.
~ Will the shop take the Selfridge name? ~ That's the idea.
Is it true you're investing in aviation now? What? Where did you get that information from? It says you're planning to buy the land for an aerodrome.
Pure speculation, although aviation is the future.
I'll say that.
Now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I have a wedding to attend.
How do you feel about your father expanding the business? I'm proud of my father and everything he does.
Never before in the ten years this store has been open have we closed on a weekday.
It is a special occasion.
Look! Customers being turned away.
They'll come back tomorrow.
The chief's been ordering extra supplies for weeks now, Roger.
The loading bay's been packed ~ Can you make sure that happens right away? ~ Of course.
Thank you, Malcolm.
Oh, don't put the flowers there.
That's where the wedding cake's going to go.
A whole day's takings squandered.
And all this is getting in the way of the Spring promotion.
The peacocks have arrived! Peacocks? ~ Come on, Alfie.
Pick 'em up.
~ No, it'll bite my 'and off.
~ Don't be so lily-livered.
~ Oh, bugger off.
Just do it.
One of you.
I know the last year's been terrible for Mr Selfridge, but he's hardly been in the store.
And all these new acquisitions.
It's the chief's way of coping.
And all this Well, he finally has something to celebrate.
~ Good morning.
~ It does look rather wonderful.
Telegram for a Miss Towler.
Oh, yes.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
You look corking, Mrs Edwards.
Why, thank you, Mr Edwards.
I need some money for the bus.
I'm late for my shift.
How many times have I told you? Knock.
George Towler says you've been shooting your mouth off.
We've got all the ex-servicemen back in the loading bay.
They don't know where anything is.
They're just back from war.
Give them a chance.
Yes.
Button your lip, Connie.
I mean it.
You don't get anywhere if people don't like you.
~ Well, you've done all right.
~ And what's that supposed to mean? Thanks.
Your little sister's a trouble-maker.
~ When's she moving out? ~ Soon.
Welcome back, Mr Selfridge.
~ Where's the bride? ~ The ladies are preparing.
~ Hi, Pa.
~ Problems? Rosalie's stockings have run.
Violette, where are my stockings? Pa, what do you think? Beautiful.
You're back.
Did you sign? The Selfridge family is now the proud owner of 12 department stores.
How's Rosalie? You'll see her in good time, Harry.
You need to get ready.
Hello.
I haven't seen you in a while, Miss Mardle.
Well, I've been on a leave of absence.
I have a telegram for Miss Towler.
Please, Mr Geoffries, can you let me in? ~ Go on.
~ Thank you.
~ You're late.
~ Yes, well, don't shout about it.
Should have your wages docked.
Not like you've been putting your back into it.
'Oh, get the big bird away from me!' You shouldn't even be here, taking soldiers' jobs.
~ I was here all through the war.
~ Well, you should go now.
~ Stop it, both of you.
~ He started it! What on earth is going on down here? The usual story.
The women and the men can't get on.
It's making my life hell.
Vodka? What on earth does the chief want that for? Peacocks have arrived! Oh, I say! ~ Miss Mardle.
~ Mr Grove, how nice to see you.
How's your leg? I heard you were injured in France.
Entirely healed, thank you.
I was fortunate.
Unlike so many others.
I was sorry to hear about Florian.
Thank you for your letter.
It was very kind.
I had been hoping to hear from you regarding your situation.
Your leave of absence is about to end.
Yes.
Could we discuss that another time? I'm here to see Miss Towler.
~ Yes, of course.
~ Thank you.
Miss Mardle, I thought we were meeting at the church.
This came for you, from France.
France? 'Henri is on his way to London.
Discharged from hospital' Why's he been in hospital? ~ Do you like it? ~ I adore it.
And the person in it.
I know today's going to be hard for you, without Ma beside you.
She'd have been so happy that you're getting married.
And so proud of you.
This wedding is giving us all something to look forward to ~ I'm nervous.
~ Of course you're nervous, honey.
That's normal.
This is the biggest decision of your life.
~ You do love him, don't you? ~ Of course.
~ I'm sorry I've been so caught up with business - ~ I love him, Pa.
~ And you know why? ~ Why? He reminds me of you.
I'm not sure that's a reason to marry anyone.
I think it is! You're the best father in the world.
Shall we go downstairs? Best of luck! They've done a wonderful job with the flowers.
Your seats are just here.
~ The white wisteria's delightful.
~ Wonderful, isn't it? Doris, my dear, you look charming.
It's all right.
No need to fuss, my dear.
Miss Towler, Miss Mardle.
How nice to see you.
How nice to see you too, Mrs Grove.
This is so beautiful.
Lovely.
Hello, darling! Lovely to see you.
Thank you for coming.
~ Who's that? ~ Princess Marie, the groom's mother.
Russian aristocracy.
Oh, there he is - Serge De Bolotoff, the famous aviator.
Oh, lucky Miss Rosalie.
Of course, they say he's a bit of a playboy.
Mrs Grove does like to read the gossip columns.
~ She looks lovely.
~ Oh, that dress! Is it true it comes from Paris? Lady Mae's got a fashion house there.
She had it designed especially for Miss Rosalie.
Oh, doesn't she look beautiful? Ready? Yes.
A whole new beginning.
Look after her.
I will, sir.
In the presence of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have come together to witness the marriage of Rosalie Selfridge to Serge De Bolotoff .
.
to pray for God's blessing on them, to share their joy and to celebrate their love.
All aboard! All aboard! I can't believe you're here.
Well, I am.
I told you I'd come back.
And I told you that I'd wait for you.
Why were you in hospital? When your letters stopped, I was really worried.
It was nothing.
They wanted to make sure I was all right.
~ What do you mean? ~ It doesn't matter.
I don't want to think about it.
I just want to think about you now.
Well? They're good.
They'll get new punters in.
People who like a bit of edge.
~ How much do you charge a week? ~ £125.
~ No, that's too steep.
~ Other clubs will pay us that much and more.
I'll give you £100 a week and months, if our takings go up.
~ Done.
~ Come through to the office.
Afternoon, Miss Simmons.
Always a pleasure, Inspector.
Remind Victor from me - first of the month tomorrow.
And this is Mrs Edwards, head of beauty and perfume at the store.
I must come in and try out all your lovely products.
Please do, Princess.
And my old friend, Frank Edwards.
I've read your book, Notes From The Home Front.
Everyone's talking about it.
I adored it.
Thank you.
Princess Marie is directly related to a Founding Father of Russia.
I was hounded out by the Bolsheviks.
You should write about me.
That's a splendid idea.
A very big book! ~ And these are two very charming girls.
~ Serge! He's such a tease! Polly and Flora Maxwell-Taylor - my wife, Rosalie.
We've all been gripped to meet you.
What woman is brave enough to take on a man like Serge? It was lovely to meet you.
Oh, Harry.
Flora and Polly Maxwell-Taylor, granddaughters of the Viscount of Arden.
This is Mr Selfridge and his divine son.
Gordon, come here, darling.
Come and be introduced - And his divine daughter, Violette.
Do you dance, Mr Selfridge? The debs' balls are so short of men.
Well, actually, I er Gordon, why don't you get the girls some refreshments? Ladies, follow me.
What a good-looking boy he is.
You could marry him so well.
That is the idea, at some point.
I could hold parties for him.
I love parties.
Hello.
How are you? Henri! Oh, what a wonderful surprise! Ah, welcome back.
Good to see you.
Edgerton, I'm back.
Have you got what I asked for? Good.
Bring it to the club now, will you? I'm sorry about Rose.
Thank you.
It's been hard for all of us.
But with Rosalie getting married and friends like you back amongst us, well, things can only get better.
It's great to have you back, and if there's anything I can do Mr Leclair! Mr Leclair! ~ Oh, Mr Crabb.
~ How splendid to see you.
Oh, what a show you've put on, sir! It really is very generous of you.
Family means the world to me, as I'm sure it does to you.
I've just been telling this fellow about our potential business venture.
The design of my plane is nearly finished.
I just need to set up a production line, and then it can fly.
From the Selfridge aerodrome.
~ Where's the aerodrome going to be? ~ Piece of land in Acton.
This isn't a discussion for now.
Where's Rosalie? Oh, she's around somewhere.
I'll find her.
It's unlike you to be drinking, Arthur.
A piece of land in Acton? Commercial air travel? Oooh There you are.
What are you doing? Taking a moment.
It's all a bit much.
My wedding party, on top of Pa's world.
If you preferred the party at home, you should have said.
Pa wanted it here.
You have to stand up for what you want.
Don't let Serge play you like Pa played Ma.
Oh, spare me the advice, Violette.
You've never been in love with a man.
You've hardly ever been out with one.
It's not as simple as you think.
We're going to do all this.
It might take me a while to get the money together, but I will.
I promise.
I won't let you down.
I don't care about any of this.
Are you sure? I just want to be your wife.
I've waited long enough.
They've read the banns in the church.
We could get married any time.
Selfridge's was hit by the war, but it did better than most stores.
Selfridge himself floated shares in '16.
~ He doesn't own the whole store any more? ~ No.
And his personal finances? Loans? Debts? Credit? That's not information I'm privy to.
Why this obsession with Selfridge? And it wasn't just you disgraced.
I've had a tough time.
I've lost the family estate.
I've had to get a job.
Poor Miles.
The first Edgerton to clock in.
Why don't you just draw a line under it all? He took what was mine.
Mae? So he did cover her legal fees for the divorce? Well, that's what people said.
He took her away from me.
I intend to pay him back.
What do you want all this lot for? Cocktails.
~ Well, what's wrong with beer? ~ I want big money coming in.
I've hired a Dixieland band.
Dixieland? That's what the party set like at the moment.
And this band can't half play a tune, as well! Come and see 'em.
Is it a good idea, then, this band? If you can afford it.
An article came out yesterday.
Apparently, I'm buying a piece of land in Acton.
The aerodrome? It isn't true? It's an idea Serge's been throwing around.
Where did the story come from? ~ I was afraid of that.
~ Maybe he didn't mean it.
High spirits.
Enthusiasm.
I should have done some digging on him.
It's all happened very quickly, ~ and Rosalie was very upset about her mother.
~ Mmm.
Have you heard anything else? He's out and about like we were at his age.
Gather round, everyone! Dobro pozhalovat'.
Speeches and cake.
Come on! Poyekhali! Come on! Come on! ~ Isn't this meant to be YOUR cue? ~ Gather round, everyone.
Poyekhali! When my mother introduced me to Rosalie, I thought she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.
Ahhh! And then I discovered who she was.
Selfridge.
The store that presented Bleriot's aeroplane to the world.
From the day I was born, all I did was look at the birds in the sky He doesn't half go on about himself.
Then kites and balloons.
And finally aeroplanes.
Flying is why Serge fell in love with Rosalie.
He came to me and said, 'Mother, she is an angel!' To Serge and Rosalie.
Serge and Rosalie! Za zdorovye! Mama! Ten per cent of your month's takings, and you give it to this policeman? It means all the coppers turn a blind eye.
I'm meant to stop serving alcohol at nine.
Well, can you afford this new band, then? Don't need to pay 'em till the end of the week.
I don't like the sound of that.
In France, we used to say to each other: if we survived, we'd take every opportunity that came our way.
~ It sounds risky.
~ Oh, it's different for you.
You've got the store.
Your sister.
I came back to nothing.
I've got nothing to lose.
Za zdorovye! Hmm.
~ Still smoking? ~ Oh, you know me too well.
Thank you.
There is something you could do for me.
Could you spare Agnes tomorrow at the store? We've waited four years.
We don't want to wait a minute longer.
We want to get married.
That's wonderful news! Of course.
Congrat- Sorry, old boy.
~ Quite a party, huh? ~ Yeah.
Quite a party.
Za zdorovye! Look, Mummy! This is very exciting.
There's more stock come through for the Spring Promotion Mr Towler.
Shall we get it up onto the floor? Mr Towler? You sort it out, Miss Ellis.
~ Good to see so many customers.
~ Isn't it? Hopefully, we're back on track.
Mr Crabb and I have been going through the accounts.
The figures are up a little each month.
Mr Towler, what are you doing up here? I need to talk to you.
Very well.
Good morning, Mr De Bolotoff.
My wife and I are on a train to Venice this evening.
We'll need a taxi.
Very good, sir.
And the gentleman over there wanted to see you.
~ Mr De Bolotoff.
~ Sorry, but do I er? Lord Loxley.
I'm a financier.
I've spent the last four years in the States, investing in tobacco.
Every soldier needs a smoke.
~ Yes, but ~ I'm back in England, and I read about your venture.
A passenger plane flying from an aerodrome in West London.
What an inspired young man you are.
Well, it's been harder to get money for than you'd think.
But it seems like your father-in-law He should be in.
I just need to get the ready from him.
Ah.
I don't want to step on Mr Selfridge's toes, so maybe there are other projects we can discuss a little more privately.
My club is just round the corner.
That's jolly kind of you, but I'm waiting for my wife.
Honeymoon morning and all that.
Ah.
What a shame.
I might not be in town when you get back from honeymoon.
I'm sure she won't mind.
I'll just write her a note.
So, Miss Towler and Mr Leclair are marrying this afternoon? Yes.
A private affair.
All very spur-of-the-moment and romantic.
Then back to work here? After a short honeymoon.
I've given them a week off.
I was wondering, Mr Selfridge.
The aviation project - where are we on that? A Selfridge aerodrome could be very interesting.
But is now the right moment? The business has been expanding rapidly.
We can't stand still.
We have to keep moving forward.
Mr Grove to see you.
And Mr Gordon.
A floral bouquet, fresh as spring itself.
A hat for those May days when you're boating on the river.
Mrs De Bolotoff.
Good morning.
I'm still finding it hard to recognise myself by that name.
By the end of your honeymoon you'll have forgotten you were called anything else.
Can I help you with something? I'm actually looking for Chinaware.
May I ask: where will you be living? Father's rented us a mews house in Mayfair.
Oh.
And Mr De Bolotoff - he isn't shopping with you today? It's not his thing - teacups.
Nice to see you, Mrs Edwards.
Did Mr Towler give you a reason for handing in his notice? He says he's found it hard to settle since he got back from France.
My concern is that the men and the women in the loading bay can't rub along together.
Not without a strong figure at the helm.
There's been trouble down there for months.
I say this with a heavy heart, Mr Selfridge, but I do think we should let the women go.
Cash flow's tight, Chief, and staff bills are very high.
It does make sense.
Well, if we have to take the women out of the loading bay, so be it.
But we find places for them in other departments.
These women are used to manual work, chief, not dealing with customers.
Then we'll re-train them.
We'll have to pay them even more.
We'll find the money.
That's the last I will say about this.
Mr Grove, go and tell the women right now.
Now, Mr Grove.
Well? What is it? Nobody wants to let the women go, but if Mr Grove and Mr Crabb think it's right - Your mother started them off, Gordon.
She even designed their uniforms.
I won't consider it.
It would be a betrayal to her memory.
You're right - it's important we remember her.
But you're not listening to what Mr Crabb and Mr Grove are saying.
You're distracted, Pa.
All this expansion.
The store really needs you.
The family does too.
It's true.
I have been out of London for a bit, but I'm back now.
Miss Rosalie is in the Palm Court, Mr Selfridge.
She hoped that you might join her for a coffee.
Rosalie Is everything all right? We were meant to be having breakfast, and Serge just left this note.
But maybe that's normal.
I don't know.
I miss Ma.
I don't know what to do without her.
Don't worry, sweetheart.
Get hold of my whole family, Miss Plunkett.
Tell them to come here for a drink to see off the newlyweds.
And send a message to Mr De Bolotoff at his hotel.
Very good, Mr Selfridge.
My name's Nancy Webb, and I need to see Mr Selfridge.
~ Is he expecting you? ~ No, but it's important.
Well, he's busy.
You'll have to come back another time.
Typical.
Men like him hide behind their secretaries.
I'm Harry Selfridge.
I don't hide behind anyone.
Come in.
What can I do for you, Miss Webb? Please don't buy this land.
Why not? There's a housing shortage in London.
Our men coming back from war are living on the streets because they don't have a home.
Now, that land is the perfect spot to build subsidised cottages on.
You have your own company? Yes, I specialise in social-welfare projects.
I have a degree in social science.
This will give you some idea of what I'm hoping to use the land for.
The government's Homes For Heroes campaign? They'll give me a grant if I can match it.
Lord Meadows was going to donate He gives a lot of money to charity, doesn't he? Yes, but he's thinking of pulling out, because you're going to go up against him at auction.
I'm sorry, Miss Webb.
This article - it's a rumour.
I've never even seen this piece of land.
But your son-in-law has.
He told Lord Meadows all about your plans for the aerodrome.
I don't have any plans.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on what they think I should or shouldn't do.
The auction is coming up soon.
It would really help me to know if you're going to bid for it or not, because, if you are, I will need to find another piece of land.
I will keep you informed.
Thank you.
I appreciate it.
My wife built cottages like this for artists in Chicago before we were married.
She thought home was more important than anything else.
She was right.
Good afternoon.
She's nearly ready.
You're not wearing black.
Well, I had to come out of mourning at some point.
This seemed like a good moment.
I was so sorry to hear about Florian.
Everybody lost somebody.
Yes.
One man comes back and another doesn't.
Why me and not him? Henri, you mustn't feel guilty.
Goodness.
You and Agnes deserve your happiness.
We got Beatrice packed and back to school.
I'll miss her.
What's all this about, anyway? Oh, what's she doing here? ~ Sweetheart ~ She was at the house all morning.
Grandma ended up hiding in the laundry cupboard.
There were pillow cases that needed folding.
Look at all these presents.
I'll have a martini, please.
With a twist of lemon.
Hair of the dog.
How are you, darling? Have you been buying for the new house? The house is exactly what I wanted to speak to you about.
I don't think that now is the best time for Rosalie and Serge to set up a new home.
I think it's important, as families, for us to get to know each other.
The De Bolotoffs and the Selfridges.
I want Rosalie and Serge to come and live at Arlington Street.
Pa, you could have asked us.
It'll mean you don't have to concern yourself with servants or menus.
You hate all that.
But my mother was going to come and live with us.
She was? Just while you were getting used to married life.
But you weren't going to stay with them indefinitely? You have somewhere else to live, don't you? Of course.
I'll go back to Eaton Square.
I have a divine little flat there.
~ Mother, are you sure? ~ Absolutely, darling.
Don't worry about me.
And while you both are under the same roof, you can forge ahead with the aerodrome plans.
Ah, yes.
We need to talk about the aerodrome.
I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you.
All that I am I give to you.
Do you, Agnes Mary Towler, take Henri Olivier Leclair to be your husband? I do.
To have and to hold from this day forward.
To have and to hold from this day forward.
~ For better, for worse.
~ For better, for worse.
~ For richer, for poorer.
~ For richer, for poorer.
~ In sickness and in health.
~ In sickness and in health.
God the father.
God the son.
God the Holy Ghost.
Bless and preserve That time when I came to visit you on leave - I wanted to get married then.
I didn't want to tempt fate.
Anyway, you've got me for ever now.
What is that? Oh, it's our honeymoon destination.
Where are we going? Well, it's a surprise.
No! It's a surprise.
No.
We can't - not here.
Why not? There's no-one about.
Get the aeroplane built first and then we'll consider an aerodrome.
But can you help with the production line? Building an aeroplane isn't cheap.
I never said that I would finance it.
You presumed That is not true.
You told me we'd work together.
In a general way.
Not on this specific project I have other possible investors.
Well, you should go with them.
I don't like to be rushed.
I will.
If you don't want to keep it in the family.
I'm sure Rosalie would be pleased - Don't use my daughter as leverage.
Do you understand me? You behave with her, or I'll give you hell.
Hmm.
(I'd like to see you try.
) The band is catching on.
~ I need to talk to Victor.
~ He's in his office.
George, he's busy You're doing well out there.
I want more.
Well, you can't have it.
I haven't got it.
Then you have to be forgiving about what comes inside this club.
~ Some I know would like to run their business through here.
~ No.
I've said this before.
Well, it's that or it's more money! Here.
Take it.
~ George ~ Take it.
That's the rate for next month.
Nice doing business with you.
What are you doing? What does it look like? I'm getting you out of a spot.
And what are you dressed up for? Henri's come back.
Agnes married him this afternoon.
Where did you get the money from? Miss Mardle won't let me pay rent.
I've saved it.
I want to come in with you.
We always said 'every opportunity'.
No, George, listen.
Not here, not at the club.
You said it before - it's too risky.
~ Well, I'm out of work, then.
~ What? I've handed in my notice.
You need someone to watch your back.
I'm coming to work for you.
I telegrammed through to reserve your best suite.
Princess Marie Vyazemsky.
Ah, yes.
It wasn't clear, Princess.
How long will you be staying? ~ Indefinitely.
~ And the bill? Charge it to the Selfridge account.
Oh, thank goodness you're back.
A fuse has blown.
I've been trying to mend it, but I'm not good at that sort of thing.
Henri, would you? ~ Of course.
~ Thank you.
The fuse is just through there in the kitchen.
(Capitaine! Capitaine!) Capitaine Capitaine De l'eau.
De l'eau.
Plus d'eau.
Plus d'eau.
Henri? ~ Are you all right? ~ Yes, I'm fine.
'Men returning from war are living on the streets because they don't have a roof over their heads.
Now, this land is the perfect spot to build subsidised cottages on.
' These are houses that my late wife built for charity.
This isn't our area of expertise.
Head down and weather the storm.
Young men like you are the future.
Madame Lanvin designed these dresses for Selfridge's.
She expects massive press exposure.
~ You should've seen him.
I'm so worried.
~ He's had enough.
I'm not one of your 'yes' men! Am I a 'yes' man, Mildred? You can't stay clean for ever.
It's not about that.
It's about staying in charge.
~ Mr Crabb? ~ I have something to say.
~ Loxley? ~ You know him? ~ Stay away from him.
I'm going to help him dig his own grave.