Howard's Way (1985) s05e04 Episode Script

grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all this day and forevermore.
Amen.
- Are you all right? - Yes, Avril, I'm fine, really.
Thank you for coming, Jack.
Well, he was a good man, your dad.
Yes, he was.
Well, she seems to have taken it very well.
Yeah, too well, I'm afraid.
She was a tough little thing when we played together as kids.
- Dad! - Probably couldn't wait to get the company.
- That's enough.
- I could have expected at least one tear.
So would Jim.
I hope it doesn't happen to me when I'm gone, Avril.
What time are you expecting to be back from Cowes, Abby? - Why? - I thought perhaps we could have dinner.
Just the two of us.
Try to sort things out between us.
It's too late.
I know we've had our difficulties.
- Who's to blame? - Abby, I can't keep on apologising.
(Sighs) No one's asking you to.
- But I would ask you one thing.
- Anything, please.
When you finally get around to leaving Daddy, please do it gently.
- That is why you're here, isn't it? - You're way off.
I thought you were going back to America at the end of the month.
- I've invited him to come too.
- How considerate.
You could come as well.
- Why would I do that? - William! What? How? I mean, I can't fight a whole dynasty of Hudsons.
Edward Frere, you.
It doesn't have to be like that.
It could be so different.
Oh, Abby.
Let's start now, today.
Let's plan for the future.
I have planned for my future.
And it does include getting William back.
(Car horn) That's Leo.
I've got to go.
Damn that boy! You're talking about the man I'm going to spend the rest of my life with, Mother.
He doesn't know that, but I will.
What about Orrin? You're welcome to him.
If and when Sir Edward Frere is no longer of use.
Ken, she's gone to Mr Wilde's funeral.
- Avril? - According to her secretary, yes.
I left a message for her to call you and said you'd be interested in meeting for lunch.
An old man pops off and Avril's in there quick as a flash.
Ken, I know it's not my place to make a comment, but, erm Well, I really wouldn't worry about Avril Rolfe and Laura Wilde if I were you.
What I mean is, they're really old friends.
Aren't they? What's that got to do with it? Well, I doubt very much if Avril's trying to do business with Wilde Mouldings.
But if she is, she's going to have to be pretty sharp to catch Laura Wilde off guard.
Avril is.
Yes, but not enough to convince Laura to do business with Relton Marine.
- Not after what you're offering.
- How do you know what that is? Because I typed the contract.
Oh, yes.
And, if I may say so, I think you're being extremely generous.
I'm glad you approve.
You know, you're pretty sharp yourself.
I admire that.
I'm going to have to keep an eye on you.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Are you all right? Oh, no, not in here, straight through.
Right to the end.
Thanks.
- Jan? Jan? - Yeah? - Where do you want this lot? - Oh, straight through, I'll sort them out later.
- Right.
- Yeah.
Right.
Hi.
Brooky said you were in chaos, but he always was a one for understatement.
- (Man) Sorry.
- Brooky? James.
I'm Sophie Westbrook.
Oh! How do you do? I'm Jan Howard.
- How can I help you? - Oh, it's all right, Jan.
Hi, Sophie, how are you? This is Sophie.
She used to work part-time for me while she was studying design at college.
I, er, knew how keen you were to encourage young talent, so I thought you should meet.
I'm sorry, I don't know anything about this.
I could always come back when it's more convenient.
No, there's no more convenient time than now.
We are looking for new designers, right? Surely you can spare a couple of minutes just to look at her work, can't you, Jan? Of course.
Why don't you follow me and we'll look at your portfolio in my office.
If I can find it.
How are you, Avril? - Who let you in here? - Your secretary.
- Rachel? - No, no.
Don't blame her.
She still thinks I have an active role in the company.
Oh, I don't think so, Charles.
The employees here see you in a more historical light.
How was the funeral? I'm not a great student of them.
How did you know? Apart from the hat and gloves, you mean? Of all the bloody cheek.
Oh, calm down.
I wasn't prying.
It was open at today.
Well, I don't see your name scheduled here for an appointment.
Well, I thought it might be in your interest for us to meet.
To discuss Relton? Or the Sinclair family shares? - Don't think I quite follow you.
- Oh, I think you do, Charles.
Since they retired the Sinclairs have hardly been the most vociferous of Relton shareholders.
In fact, I doubt if they even realise the company still existed.
They prefer to sit back in the Bahamas and let their banks handle their investments.
Well, so would I.
Assuming the dividends were healthy.
Oh, Relton's are certainly that, Charles.
And now, suddenly, right out of the blue, the Sinclairs are busy lobbying other shareholders to table a vote of no confidence.
That's odd.
Yes.
Yes, it is, isn't it? And I expect it's the first you've heard of it.
No.
As a matter of fact, I do remember hearing something, now you mention it.
From Henry Runswick? Henry Runswick's a very great supporter of yours, which is just as well, cos I think you'll need him with this power struggle.
I don't need to rely solely on Henry Runswick.
I've taken appropriate steps to counter any potential problems.
From the Sinclairs? From anyone, Charles.
(PA chimes) - Polly.
How great to see you again.
- Orrin, how nice to see you again.
I, erm hadn't quite expected you'd bring so many things with you.
People, baggage Ah.
Yes, well, Abby's not the only reason I'm here, Polly.
Oh, she sends her apologies for not being here to greet you.
The hell she does.
Well, she had a prior engagement.
She's entered in a yacht race.
But she is expecting me? - Er, actually no.
- I thought so.
I thought it would be nicer if you gave her a surprise.
(Laughs) No problem.
Er, can I give you a lift? I don't think we'd all fit in.
You all set, Robert? Let's go.
Look, if you don't like the work, just say.
I can take criticism.
- Sophie, I do like it.
- Then why aren't you snapping me up? Well, I like some of it.
I mean I admire all of it.
It's bold and daring, but, er, perhaps a little too daring for these parts.
But James said you'd be needing new designers.
Yes, and we will, and we've got your telephone number so I'm sure we'll be in touch.
Well That's as big a no as I've had all week.
I'm sorry, Sophie.
Erm, sorry, Jan.
I'd forgotten how pushy she could be.
It's not her pushiness that bothers me.
It's the fact that you seem to like her work.
How many of our clients can you see in topless evening dresses? Oh, come on, Jan, her portfolio contained, what, three at the most? - The rest of it is very good.
- The rest of it is ordinary.
Now you're steamrollering me.
Just a minute here.
I am steamrollering you? What about my three outlets, huh? They're being redesigned and redecorated, all under your supervision.
To which you agreed.
We needed a corporate identity.
And I gather you've been discussing things with the decorators.
- I suggested a few modifications.
- A few? They phoned me last night to tell me how they were getting on.
- And they told you - All about your subtle modifications.
And I vetoed them.
- You did what? - You heard me.
- Look, I'm pleased you have your own ideas - Oh, thank you very much.
- But I suggest we check everything, OK? - All right.
Fine.
And if Sophie Westbrook is your idea of a brilliant young designer, we are in trouble.
Right, Jan, why don't you just take over everything right now, huh? Clearly my ideas are no use to you at all.
- That is not what I'm saying - What you need is a yes man to rubber-stamp your own ideas.
And you picked the wrong man.
Where are you going? Get some fresh air.
15 minutes to the start.
I can't believe the way she treats him.
- You really think they'll split up? - God, yeah.
They should have years ago.
Best thing for everybody.
Well, Daddy.
- What about your mother? - What about her? I suppose she'll go back to America.
Business going well, you say.
They are welcome to her.
Oh, Leo.
Have either of you seen Jack and Vanessa? No? Well, if you do, tell Jack they've been paging him.
A long-distance call.
Right.
Oh, good luck with the race.
Oh, yeah, you too.
See you later at the club.
Laura.
Good to see you.
- Hello, Ken.
- Thank you, Vicki.
I've seen the agreement and there's one or two amendments I'd like to suggest.
Well, why don't we let our solicitors thrash out the finer details when they meet later and we can celebrate our partnership with lunch? - I'd prefer to celebrate it after we've signed.
- A mere formality.
You'd better look at the amendments first.
Oh, they'll get it all sorted out.
No problem at all.
Shall I book us a table? I already have a luncheon appointment.
Business or pleasure? Ken.
I've just buried my father.
Yes.
Of course.
I'm sorry.
And I'd just like you to know that having done that not three hours ago, it has not put me off my stroke.
- As if such a thought had crossed your mind.
- Not at all.
What do you take me for? A shrewd businessman.
You're pretty shrewd yourself.
Well, perhaps you'd like to go over the amendments with your solicitor and then I can get back after lunch, then hopefully we can get around to signing the agreement.
(Ken) Hopefully.
(Laura) Hello.
What's all this? (Ken) Hm? (Chuckles) Wait for me.
Ah.
That's a personal matter.
You'll have to excuse me.
Vicki'll see you out.
- Hurry up, we might just make the start line.
- I am hurrying, Jack.
It's a pity you didn't earlier.
Look, I said I was sorry.
But that's the way it is when you meet old friends at funerals.
If I hadn't asked Bill to sail Proud Lady over and book tickets on the hydrofoil - Right, right, we wouldn't have been here.
- Well, it's true.
OK, OK.
We're here now, that's all that matters.
So calm down.
- I am perfectly calm! - (Groans) Oh Now, remember, you don't have to prove anything to anyone.
I know.
Sure about that? No.
But that's what I'm here to find out.
Well, it seems like a fine setup you have here, Ken.
Small, but, uh (Chuckles) Hell, little acorns and all that, hm? Pleased though I am to see you, I'm not quite sure why you're here.
Message from your father, perhaps? Don't think of me as just a go-between, Ken.
My father's messenger boy.
Oh, no, I can see there's far more to you than that.
Please.
We think we can help you with certain strategies you're planning here.
- We? - My father and me.
Oh, I see.
So you're not the messenger.
You're the apprentice, learning the trade.
For the second time, don't underestimate me, Ken.
Oh, I don't underestimate anybody, Orrin.
No, it's a noble relationship, apprentice and master.
- Oh, I'm more than that.
- Oh? In what way? Well, let's just say I'm the key to my father's respectability.
Well, he always seemed respectable enough to me.
Do you ever wonder why he took an instant liking to you, Ken? - Similar backgrounds.
- Right.
Street-market men.
- But you're something more refined.
- Heading for Congress in the name of Hudson.
- With or without a wife? - Preferably with, but, uh Don't anyone kid themselves I'll be losing sleep over that little matter.
So how can you, or your father, help in my strategies? Well, you might be able to help in ours, Ken.
And Sir Edward Frere's.
This wouldn't have anything to do with Charles Frere, would it? I was in Geneva three days ago, met a banker by the name of Eckhardt Sahnn.
I want you to remember it, Ken.
Eckhardt Sahnn.
Yes, I'm very good with names.
Sir Edward thought you might want to mention the name to that contact of yours.
- The one investigating Frere Holdings? - Ah.
He isn't investigating them any more.
Thrown out of court.
Lack of evidence.
Oh, there's more than enough evidence, Ken.
All your contact has to do is take a closer look at Eckhardt Sahnn.
- (Vanessa) Three minutes, Jack.
- Don't worry, we'll get there on time.
For the start of our class or at the end of the race? Oh, very funny.
Now, just relax.
Whilst we're under full sail, there'll be no stopping us.
Up, up, up! Keep it tight.
Keep it tight.
approaching the line (Tom) Turn foresail.
Keep it tight.
(Woman) 30 seconds to go.
28, 27 Steady (People) Five, four, three, two, one (Boom) That's enough! - Hello, Jan.
- Polly.
I called in at the boutique.
They told me about the new offices.
Well, it's a very impressive setup.
Yes, well, it will be when it's finished.
Excuse me, please.
- I've been trying to contact you.
- So I gather.
- You haven't answered my calls.
- I've been very busy.
- I thought we might have lunch today.
- Sorry, Polly, I can't.
Listen, Jan, I need to talk to you about Edward.
He has been marvellous helping me set up in America, but I just want you to know there is nothing more to the relationship than that.
And I want you to know, Polly, that I couldn't care less if there were.
Well, if you're annoyed with me for setting up the business, I didn't steal any of your ideas, you know.
I mean, I should be the one who's annoyed.
You fired me, remember? I must have been going through a rough patch.
- Well, you've certainly fallen on your feet.
- Hopefully.
So why are you really here, Polly? In England, I mean.
(Sighs) Oh Guilty conscience about Abby, I suppose.
You know that she and Leo are well, er, ahem.
Polly, she and Leo have always been "well, er, ahem.
" It isn't right, you know.
She has a husband and baby in America.
I will not interfere, if that's what you're after.
(Sighs) It wasn't.
I've just been to the airport to meet Orrin, and he treated me not so much as a relative, more as an onlooker in his life.
His life with my daughter.
So they've sent you on ahead, have they, Polly? What, to butter her up? Reason with her? Poor Abby.
Quite unwittingly, she's brought together two immensely powerful men whose meeting point is a small boy of three.
Poor child.
I fear for him, Jan, sometimes, I really do.
And as for Orrin, he can't see what they're doing to him at all.
- Which is? - Turning him into a politician, a door-opener for them.
They way through to favour and preferment.
And like every American politician, what he will require is a loyal and faithful wife.
Precisely.
You don't have to play their game, Polly.
Oh, but I do.
She'll never see that boy again unless I do, that's for sure.
Polly, we've been friends for an awfully long time.
That kind of remark usually precedes a criticism.
Right.
And here it comes.
You're using William yourself.
If Abby won't go back to him, someone must.
And that someone's going to be you, isn't it? It's a neat way of running out on Gerald.
Who told you about that? So I am right.
He's kind, generous and considerate.
Why would I ever want to leave him? I am hardly the person to ask.
(Laughter) Do you remember when Jack and Dad fell out over that mould being the wrong size? They didn't talk for months.
- Neither did you or I.
- Well, we had to be loyal to the cause.
Erm, I have a confession to make.
I took the message when I got home from school.
I never did tell Dad, but I took the measurements that Jack gave.
You? You started it all? Sometimes now when I look at Jack, I wonder if he realises.
Well, I won't tell him if you won't.
I'll never be able to tell Dad about it now.
I'm going to miss him, Avril.
Yes, I know you will.
We all will.
Still, there's one consolation.
He had a long life and a good one.
So it's best to look ahead.
Which reminds me.
Ken Masters.
Well, if you're after my advice, I'm the wrong person.
My view of Ken Masters is somewhat biased.
- I gather you've crossed swords in business.
- Oh, a few times.
So, what do you think of this idea of a merger with him? Well, he's a shrewd entrepreneur.
A merger of Wilde Mouldings and Leisure Cruise could work.
Oh, come on, Avril.
I've had him checked out.
I need to know what he's like beneath the surface.
He's ruthless, ambitious, opportunist, and I wouldn't trust him an inch.
But apart from that, he's quite charming! - Here you are, skipper, cop hold of that.
- Ah, great, Bill.
According to my reckoning, we're still ahead.
About four or five minutes.
- Let's get the genoa up then.
- All right.
And let's keep it that way.
(Beeping) - Hello? - Charles.
- Yes, Gerald.
- I thought I'd catch you before your meeting.
I have just had an urgent call from Orrin.
- Oh, yes.
- He arrived unexpectedly.
Damn cheek, actually.
I have been summoned to my own home.
8:30 this evening.
I have every confidence in you.
The lad's hardly a match for a seasoned campaigner like yourself.
- He wants to talk about Abby.
- I'm sure he does.
And if I can be of any help, let me know.
He also said that you might "wish to attend", as he put it, and when I asked him why, he threw a name at me.
- What name? - Eckhardt Sahnn.
Sends his regards via Orrin.
8:30, did you say? Thanks.
So It's a straight run for five miles now.
Why don't you take the tiller? I don't want to.
Where's yours? What is it? Nothing.
Well, you're looking pretty rough for nothing, Abby.
I feel absolutely awful.
It's so stupid, I never get seasick.
- What are you doing? - Well - I'm going to put you ashore.
- Oh No, Leo, come on.
If you go in, you'll be disqualified.
Abby, your health is more important than a race.
(Sighs) No, come on, get back on course.
I'm going to and radio a boat to get me off.
(Imitating engine) You can't afford it, Peter.
Ah.
They're here at last.
- Sorry we're late, Ken.
- Hadn't even noticed.
This is my assistant, John Faraday.
Ken Masters.
- How do you do.
- Hi.
- And my accountant, Jane Whitely.
- Hello, Jane.
Peter, if you can tear yourself away for a bit, we need your expertise.
More interested in the boats than in the law.
- You'll have to keep your eye on him then.
- Oh, it's all straightforward.
I've been ringing round the outlets trying to find you.
Where have you been? I drove to Fishermen's Cove for lunch, then I took a walk.
I see.
Jan, I'm sorry.
No.
I should be the one to apologise.
Oh, come on, it was wrong of me to storm out like that.
It's understandable if all you thought I wanted was a yes man.
Look, Jan, you and I have totally different approaches to business.
I've never been one to go out and compete in the commercial world.
I've always tended to (Sighs) Sit back and let things happen.
But you don't, do you? I can't.
No one can if they want to survive in business these days.
I'm not criticising you.
Believe me, I admire you.
I admire your energy and drive, but I don't want to compete with you.
No one's asking you to.
I'm not the greatest businessman in the world.
But creatively, I think I have a lot of good ideas.
And I want to hear them.
Do you think I'd have gone into business with you if I thought you had nothing to offer? I hope not.
- So let's start again, eh? - OK.
Lawyers.
Don't you just love them? You tell them something, they write it down in jargon no one understands and charge you a fortune.
Oh, I don't know.
Our agreement seems straightforward to me.
And now it's all signed and sealed To a long and prosperous association.
- And a peaceful one.
- Mm.
Certainly.
And perhaps even to the ghost of Sarah Foster? Let's hope so.
At one stage, I didn't think we were going to agree terms.
That's something you ought to watch in future, Ken.
From what I hear, it's not like you to give anything away.
At one point, I didn't think you were interested.
No.
I was always interested.
- Oh? - You didn't expect me to give anything away? Well, I didn't know what to expect.
But now I do.
And in future, I shall be prepared.
We must both be prepared now that we're in business together.
Or we might miss certain opportunities.
For example? I've just had lunch with Avril Rolfe.
It seems she's involved in some kind of power struggle at Relton Marine.
- Yes, with Charles Frere.
- Mm.
Well, I'd say that that places Relton in a rather vulnerable position, wouldn't you? They could be looking for allies and might be prepared to offer an opportunity in return.
I thought you already were an ally of Avril.
(Chuckles) When it comes to the marketplace, Avril knows how to push and shove, and get there first.
She's not sentimental about friendship.
Nor am I.
And there's no room for sentiment in business so far as you're concerned, so don't look at me like that.
What's that supposed to mean? That, erm, gentleman I saw hanging around here a few weeks ago.
Works for the fraud squad, I believe.
- Daniel Morris, yeah.
- Mm.
I wonder why he'd be here to see you at exactly the same time that the fraud squad was investigating Charles Frere.
Oh, look, I had nothing to do with that.
I gather you've had problems with him, though.
Well, maybe, but Daniel Morris' interest in Frere Holdings has got nothing to do with me.
- He was here because he wants to buy a boat.
- You don't have to explain, Ken.
I'm not concerned about the past.
Just the future.
And making a success of our merger.
And I think it might be worth our while to keep our eye on Relton Marine.
- Hello, Polly.
- Hello, Charles.
How nice to see you.
- Gerald not back yet? - No, he seems to be keeping out of my way.
Silly, really, after all these years.
Well, that's the way you both want it.
Do you know, Charles, I'm not sure we do.
We've backed ourselves into separate corners and are unwilling to come out fighting.
We've exhausted each other.
Well, if there's anything I can do.
Orrin's still coming this evening, I take it.
- Isn't that why you're here? - Yes.
Gerald invited me.
- He's very concerned, you know.
- Look, Orrin is a very charming boy.
He's just worried about Abby.
Absolute rubbish.
He's a spoilt brat armed with a pocketful of idle threats.
And a very powerful family.
Oh, please, Charles, don't do anything to spoil Abby's chances this evening.
Ah.
Thank you.
- Avril.
How are you? - Very well, Sabio.
You look beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you.
- Have a good flight? - Fine.
Would you like a drink before dinner? - Have you booked a table? - Er, yes, eight o'clock.
So have I.
My favourite restaurant.
Just overlooking the harbour.
And it's only five minutes' walk.
Well, I suppose I could always cancel.
Do it.
Some of these are excellent.
What's his name again? Mark Anderson.
- Where did you find him? - He found me, actually, some years ago.
He'd just graduated from college and I'd signed Anna Lee.
I think it's worth talking to him, just to see if he's interested.
I already have.
- Without asking me? - Well, it was after Sophie Westbrook.
You weren't there, James.
You'd taken your afternoon sabbatical.
All right.
What I said earlier still stands.
- Well, is he interested? - Oh, very much so.
He spent the last two years designing for a chain of department stores, so I'm not sure what his work's like away from the popular end of market, but I think it's worth giving him a try, even for a probationary period.
Yeah, I agree.
We might not need Sophie Westbrook, but we do need to get a collection under way.
Pretty smartish if we're to get this off the ground with a flourish.
- (Phone) - Excuse me.
- Hello? - It's me.
Just giving you a call, as promised.
- Oh, Tom, how is he? - Leo's fine.
- Are you sure? - Didn't he call you himself? Well, he did, but you know Leo.
He didn't say anything.
Oh, I was worried.
- He's fine.
- Well, what happened exactly? He had to get Abby taken ashore and finish the race single-handed, cos she wasn't feeling too well.
- Is she all right? - Yeah, just a bit off-colour, that's all.
So, how did you both do? Well, Barracuda won her class, and, er so did Spring.
Oh, congratulations.
(Bells) You remember the way Relton launched Barracuda? Everyone who attended the boat show remembers, Avril.
You and your people put on a fantastic display.
Any display will work if the product's good.
That's true.
Barracuda filled a gap in the market.
The same is true of our other products, provided they're placed with the proper outlets.
Outlets? Within the Poelma Corporation, no doubt.
Why not, Sabio? If a leisure group like yours incorporated sailing themes into its holiday packages - We already do.
- I'm talking about wider themes.
Not just exclusive yacht charters.
- For example? - Well, more modest-sized boats, for a start.
Everything from a cruiser to Barracuda.
- Yes, there could be a market, I suppose.
- If you create one.
And these days, you have to to compete.
To compete or to survive? Apologies for being late, Charles.
It took longer than I anticipated going over the contracts.
When will we be in a position to complete? Well, I'll have to go over the clauses with Eckhardt Sahnn's lawyers.
Hopefully by next month.
Good.
Does the name Sabio Fernandez mean anything to you? - No, it doesn't ring a bell.
- (Knocking) - Why, is there a problem? - There could be.
His name cropped up during my meeting at the bank.
He's been appointed chairman of the Poelma Corporation.
- The leisure group.
- Yes.
The same leisure group referred to in Relton's latest shareholders' report.
I don't know exactly what Avril's up to, but the point is, the Poelma Corporation has recently done business with Eckhardt Sahnn.
I see.
- Could be delicate.
- Extremely.
- (Door opens) - (Polly) I'm sure you remember the way.
The place brings back some happy memories, Polly.
- Thank you.
- Gerald.
How are you? Very well, thank you.
Oh, do you know Charles? - I've never had the pleasure.
- Oh.
Orrin Hudson, Charles Frere.
How do you do, Orrin? Charles.
I've heard a great deal about you.
(Bell chimes) It's lovely.
- Avril, all this - Mm? Has it got anything to do with the power struggle at Reltons? News certainly travels fast.
I have got good friends in the City.
And I've heard news about a new marina development right on your back doorstep.
So any business that we do together wouldn't only give me the support of my board, it would also benefit you.
- In what way? - Oh, you know perfectly well in what way.
Otherwise we wouldn't be discussing it.
I must admit, a new marina is obviously of some concern.
It must be to any leisure group.
Unless they take steps to ensure their own growth and development.
And your steps would be to diversify? Mm.
In every possible way.
Personally, I'd look at the popular end of the market.
Flotilla sailing.
Even utilising your villas, offering the use of a boat.
Possibly one of Tom Howard's other designs.
Spring, for example.
- What a wonderful view.
- I'm glad you like it.
- Good evening.
Table for Mr Fernandez, please.
- Yes, sir.
So, what do you think? I think this is going to be a very expensive meal.
Not necessarily.
I am open to negotiation.
How open? Well, I might consider a volume discount.
I might even be able to persuade my board to offer some of our products on lease.
- With an option to buy? - I don't see why not.
Well, I think it might be worth having my marketing team fly over and take a closer look at Relton's products.
Then we take it from there.
Good.
Sounds like an excellent idea.
I thought it might.
(Laughter) Chris, same again.
Another round, eh? Good to see you in the chair, Tom.
That's the price of winning.
- Better than, what was it, Jack? - 13th? - Nothing wrong with that.
- No, we're not superstitious.
Touch wood.
I couldn't have named Proud Lady better myself.
A boat her age, 13 out of 30? Fantastic! She did us proud.
I hear Barracuda and Spring did pretty well, though.
No need to rub it in.
Both my designs, of course.
- Hey, what about my design? My Orkadian.
- What about it? Oh, we don't want to hear it, Jack.
Then you'd better tell my American dealer friend Scott to stop phoning through the sales figures.
Orkadian's well on her way to another export award.
Then we should be celebrating Orkadian's award, because she's a winner too, right? - Right, right.
- L18.
20, Mr Howard.
Oh, Jack's in the chair.
- What? - That's the price of winning, Jack.
- You set me up.
- (Laughter) I think we should all put our cards on the table.
First-class idea, Charles.
Gerald and I are completely in agreement about Abby.
You want me to applaud? No, I want you to listen.
Take a message back to whoever it is who pulls your strings.
Neither of us will tolerate any pressure on her.
Charles, I do think Abby's old enough to make up her own mind.
Oh, I entirely agree, Polly.
But since you hold the trump card, that does rather put you in a strong position.
- I don't understand.
- Oh, I think you do understand, Orrin.
You've used William since Abby returned to England.
- Her place is with her son.
- Then why not grant her custody? Easier said than done, Gerald.
Especially since you also want to use Abby.
- I resent that.
- Not half as much as I do.
First your father comes over here, interfering in matters which are no concern of his, and then you arrive and you expect Abby to greet you with open arms? Well, I can tell you, Orrin, you are out of her life.
And I will make sure that's where you stay.
- Gerald, please - Keep out of this, Polly! - We all know about your self interests.
- Gerald, calm down.
No point any of us making this more difficult than it already is.
- The matter's really quite simple.
- I agree.
- Abby will not be returning with you.
- We'll see about that.
Unless she decides to.
What you, I, anybody in this room think is unimportant.
I wouldn't be too sure, Charles.
There's something else I'd like to discuss with you.
- Concerning? - A certain Swiss banker.
I don't think I quite understand.
Tell the lady, Charles.
Polly, I wonder if you'd both mind leaving Orrin and me alone for a few minutes.
Secrets? Just a few home truths.
We'll be in the garden.
I assume by a certain Swiss banker you're referring to Eckhardt Sahnn.
That's right, I saw him a few days ago in Geneva.
He sends his regards.
Yes, so Gerald said earlier.
Bottom line, Charles.
I know what he did for you.
You'd better tell me what it is you're talking about.
Diakra Holdings? Maclean Leisure? You know, I was under the impression that we were here to discuss Abby.
Not my alleged business interests.
(Snorts) God.
You all play so high and mighty, don't you? Abby's interests at heart? Her mother's interest is Hudson money to finance her mail-order chain.
Your interest is to keep past skeletons in their closets.
Even Gerald, dependable old Gerald.
- He's got reasons to worry.
- I don't think so.
Eckhardt bent the rules for you, Charles.
Both of you.
(Laughs) And confided everything to a post-adolescent nonentity? He's obligated to far bigger fish than you, my friend.
Yes.
Your daddy, I suppose.
- And yours.
- (Phone) - Hello? - Daddy? Who is this? They hung up.
I thought you wanted to let him know you're OK.
I did.
Then what's wrong? It sounded like It can't be.
You were saying something about my father.
It's not your father that I'm concerned about, Charles.
It's Eckhardt Sahnn.
Five million he made for you, out of your own shareholders.
And I reckon that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Repeat those allegations and I'll hit you with the biggest lawsuit you've ever had.
You could have a few of your own, Charles, if anyone ever discovered the truth.
Oh, I very much doubt it.
You know, it's a clever setup.
Nominee company fronted by the MacDonalds passing money on to another nominee company fronted by Eckhardt Sahnn.
This information.
Where did you get it? I got it.
That's all that matters.
And as you said before, it does place me in a strong position, don't you think? - You can't prove a thing.
- Try me.
- Is that a threat? - Depends.
If you stand in the way between Abby and me.
I think you know exactly where I stand.
Get out.
I do wish you'd try to see things just a little from Orrin's point of view.
What about Abby's point of view? - She has a duty to her family.
- Don't talk to me about family duties, Polly.
It really isn't your subject.
Gerald.
Er, where's Orrin? - He decided to leave.
- Before dinner? You didn't decide for him, did you, Charles? You could put it that way, yes.
You threw him out, and it isn't even your house.
What happened? He knows.
About Diakra and Maclean Leisure.
- How? - I don't know.
But he's getting information from somewhere.
And from now on, I want him watched.
Every move he makes.
Orrin! Orrin! # Will you build the Taj Mahal # Wear black every day of your life? (Music stops) (Charles) This information.
Where did you get it? (Orrin) I got it.
That's all that matters.
And as you said before, it does place me in a strong position, don't you think? (Charles) You can't prove a thing.
(Orrin) Try me.