Harlots (2017–…): Season 1, Episode 8 - Episode #1.8 - full transcript

She's a beauty.

Just like her ma.

She has a big smell.

Like the sea.

I never want to let her go.

You know how it has to be.

We're not a nursery.

I felt since I was a
boy there was a noose

waiting somewhere with my name on it.

I've avoided it so far.

And then I met you...



Do you doubt me?

Only one of us need kiss
the rope and you know it.

You could condemn my mother
and my sister with a word.

Why don't you?

Because you'd despise me.

You could free yourself.

And who'd believe me?

I'm a desperate man.

The Wells' house, Greek Street.

Lord Fallon.

The Spartans will receive you.

I am most gratified.

You'll bring a handmaiden
to demonstrate your fealty.

In quality, exceptional.



Intact.

My lord, I need time.

Such maidens are...

not easily found.

The procuress I formerly used

has proven... inadequate.

I trust there is no danger.

Let me assure you of her silence.

We meet tonight.

A-hunting you must go.

I must go to the courthouse,
the trial is tomorrow.

I want you to go to Nancy's
until this trouble's passed.

Nancy's turned against you.

But never you.

This come.

I take one cull and if
another wants his prick sucked,

see to him yourself.

It's from Lord Fallon.

His contract.

Oh, I forgot.

He offers 400 guineas on my head.

I'll go with him...

like I should have done.

No. If I'd done what you asked,

we wouldn't be in this calamity.

You will not go with him.

He offers so much money.

Well, I'd rather be dead than take it.

No.

I will never force a man on you again.

Burn it.

I gave him very pressing evidence

about the kidnap of a
young and helpless girl.

I told him who the culprit was,
the bawd, Mrs. Quigley.

Yet, Justice Cunliffe has done nothing.

I've known him for 25 years,

he's meticulous.

Perhaps your evidence is faulty.

No, sir, I was there.

That room stank of fear and murder.

I was going to die there, I know it.

Did you shit yourself?

No.

Quigley should be butchered in her bed.

Her exit must be public.

I want to see her legs
cavort when she hangs.

That means going to the justice.

Quigley's got his pintle in her fist.

Well, you're a little powderkeg, Emily.

You can bring them both to their knees.

Stab the bitch through the eyeballs.

There is more than
one way to bleed a sow.

You saw Sir George Howard

carried out of the Wells' house dead.

I saw no such thing.

Don't deny it.

My molly boy saw it, too,
and were he a credible witness

I'd have him at the courthouse now.

Amelia would never tell a lie.

I thought Sir George drunk.

Men leave the Wells' house

in all manner of inebriated states.

He was dead!

And your word will carry a jury.

That's a dreadful accusation.

It could cost Mrs. Wells her life.

My girl won't speak
against her conscience.

She is not capable.

She is capable and culpable

of the most grotesque deceit.

She is virtue itself.

Indeed.

She is a paragon.

Beloved by women...

everywhere.

I saw Sir George Howard

carried out of the Wells' house.

I thought him drunk and insensible.

But then I heard his
body had been found and...

Are you telling me that
he was already dead?

Is that what you are saying?

Yes.

Thank you for bringing this to me.

Your virtue shines through.

It's Harriet.

Wait, Jacob!

Harriet!

Why are you here?

Well, I had the same question for you.

I've come to see if I
can rescue my children.

Lennox has taken a room here.

They sail on this evening's tide.

You came. Gave my word.

Thank you. Come on.

Are you not delighted with your witness?

I sent her to you.

I have found your murderer.

Now you have no excuse.

Release Charlotte Wells.

I'm already signing her papers.

How is your son?

Fit and well.

Emily Lacey will not trouble him again.

Were the Spartans not satisfied?

Satisfied and sated.

The venture's at an end.

Your services are required no more.

Now leave this court or you'll
find my justice ruthless.

Take Jacob upstairs.

I'll distract him.

Mr. Lennox.

I've come to ask you one last time.

Give Harriet's children up.

They're mine to sell
or keep as I please.

What would my value be?

I'm numerate, reliable, good in a fight.

What would you pay?

Fifteen pounds for an uppity old fool.

In the same marketplace,
what would I pay for you?

Because as far as I can see,
you've not one quality

of strength or character
that makes you worth tuppence.

What trouble that
whore has put you up to

for two tiresome brats.

Now step aside.

My boat sails and I want a drink.

I've spent my whole life...

lowering my eyes to men like you,

turning my back, saving my skin.

This time,
I'll not turn away nor step aside.

You can go to hell.

See you there.

Thief!

Call the watch.

Bring the constable.
This man is a thief.

This villain would steal these children

from their mother.

They're my property!

I say we take the matter before a judge

and let the law decide.

I have all the documents to
prove those brats are mine.

They are mine by the laws of God.

Take us to the magistrate.

We let the law decide.
We will settle this now.

Will it be murder then, Mr. Lennox?

Because you will have to kill us both!

You can keep the
half-breeds and God damn you.

He's the criminal! Disgusting!

Miss Wells, you are free to go.

I knew the lies would not stand up.

Not you.

You stay.

He's innocent.

If I'm free then so is he.

Charlotte, go.

Take your freedom.

I'll get you out before the day is done.

Trust me.

Miss Wells.

Miss Wells, a word!

Leave me alone.

No, I've been contriving your release

ever since I heard of your arrest.

Nonsense. I've been petitioning for you.

To hang?

You'd enjoy anything
that gave my mother pain.

No, please, please!

Believe me, I am your friend.

No one else is here to help you.

Please let me offer you at least,

at the very least,
a meal and a resting place.

There's an innocent man in there.

I don't need a rest.

I need to get him out.

Oh, my dear.

Justice Cunliffe is an intimate of mine.

I have his ear, as you can see.

Come with me.

And we will very soon
devise your friend's release.

Ah, yes.

Charlotte!

Charlotte!

Charlotte!

Welcome, my dear.

May I introduce Miss Charlotte Wells.

She walked free from the
courthouse this morning,

victim of a false accusation.

Prepare a room and a choice of gowns.

Why have you brought her here?

I'm offering her charity.

Justice.

The bawd, Lydia Quigley.

Why have you not acted when you've heard

a charge of kidnapping against her?

Has the unfortunate Mr. Oswald

been speaking to you?

Yes.

That young man is such a disappointment.

He constantly debauches
himself with harlots.

I've warned him several times

and he knows his position
is in the balance.

I suspect he seeks to save himself

by sullying my name.

I see.

I looked into this kidnap;

a tawdry dispute between whores.

Corruption is a cancer.

And to see it take
root in a man like that.

We must be vigilant against it, John.

Justice is a wellspring.

The whole city suffers

when it's poisoned near the head.

You fool.

You have besmirched yourself.

How can I act upon the
word of a degenerate?

Sir, I'm telling the truth.

When I return,
you will be gone for good.

At liberty to fuck yourself
into an early grave.

I'm here because you said
you'd speak for Mr. Marney.

There's a spark in you.

You were born under my roof
and I saw it from the start.

I tried to draw it out.

Something quite exceptional.

My mother told me you were
clever with your praise.

I want you in my house.

When will you see the justice? Directly.

Stay.

Lick your wounds, be the phoenix, rise.

So you may lock me in

like the pallid China dolls out there?

You need another keeper
and you'll find one here.

You will have every freedom
and you'll keep all you earn,

and believe me,
I have never offered terms like that.

Why do it now?

What do you gain?

You saw their faces
when I brought you here.

I gain you.

Your notoriety.

Your company.

Charlotte Wells!

Charlotte Wells!

Charlotte!

What possesses you to
come here with this witch?

She'll lock the doors and
keep you here by force!

Let her in.

Gentlemen,

let's take our pleasure upstairs.

What are you doing here?

I had nowhere else to go.

Come home.

Where's that?

With me.

I asked you twice to take
me in and you refused.

Come now.

How can you let her
dupe and beguile you?

Mrs. Quigley got me out of jail.

You let them arrest me, Ma.

And Daniel Marney too.

I did not.

You sent the constables to take him.

That's a lie.

I did everything I could to get you out!

Such as?

Tell me...

where is Emily Lacey?

I have no idea. Did you kill her yet?

Or is she still locked
and beaten in your crypt?

If you thought Miss
Lacey was in danger...

why did you tell me where to find her?

Ah, hello, grunt.

Where's the she-wolf?

I'm going to get the law on you

for kidnapping Emily Lacey.

The law will get you first

for the murder of George Howard.

Oh, this is wonderful.

My two favorite ladies.

What's the matter, Mrs. Q?

Is it the powder or
have you seen a ghost?

What crime were you
planning to accuse me of?

Miss Lacey,
perhaps you'd care to take some tea...

I've come to take a lot more than that.

You threw me to her
like a piece of scrag

and you will answer for it.

She knows.

What did you tell her?

Nothing.

She knows.

Straightaway you conclude
that I betrayed you?

You're betraying me by being here.

She offered me her help.

If you believe that, you're an idiot.

I'm an idiot no longer.

I've heeded the lesson
that you taught me.

The only safety is in money.

Money is a woman's only
power in this world.

I'll earn mine here.

She's using you, my love.

As did you.

Charlotte, come home.

You save Lucy and abandon me to hang?

I want you to go.

Oh.

Nancy Birch wants me to squeak.

She says my evidence would hang you.

I'm willing to stay silent.

I think your death would upset Charles.

Your story will be pitched into a midden

and you along with it like
the dung worm that you are.

Don't speak to her like that.

You take her side?

When she threatens me with hanging?

I followed you to that infernal house.

I met Justice Cunliffe
and I fobbed him off.

I know what you intended and
it was worse than hanging.

I want recompense.

You shall have it.

Let's start with the deeds

to one of your houses.

I'd like my dresses too.

And a hundred pounds,

just to help me settle in.

Have you forgotten that she
nearly caused your death?

I have forgiven her.

But not you.

I'm your mother!

You're a monster.

Whatever you're involved in,
I want no part of it.

I'm leaving you.

As of this moment, you're alone.

You've endangered everything.

Miss Lacey will have all she wants.

Are you going to help Mr. Marney?

Mr. Abbadon, my coach!

Yes, my lady!

Why didn't you tell
me what had happened?

For God's sake, the girl is still alive

and there is a noose
'round both our necks!

Let me eat in peace or
I will have you removed

as a parasite.

Some parasites bring
ruin on their hosts.

Ma told me to burn it.

Why haven't you?

What if Pa and Jacob don't come back?

She'll need me to look after her.

Well, lick my split, it's Lucy Wells.

Lay off her. Why don't you slink

back home to your slippery ma?

You do something useful.

Take her for a drink.

Lucy.

The sky will not fall down.

Mrs. Wells and I parted in discord.

I took her money.

I don't think she'll want me back.

Leave it to me.

My path was one of anguish.

Now the clouds have cleared.

I don't know how to thank you.

Ma!

From Harriet.

With her apology.

She should stay.

You took my son.

I'm back.

You left me when I most needed you.

Cast your mind back
to what I did for you.

When a man has dumped a corpse

he must expiate his sins.

I'd given her my word and it was right.

Pious cant.

It's clear why you did it.

Go claim your reward.

Is that really what you think of me?

Mr. Armitage.

Come for Mrs. Wells,
I must take her to the court.

Why?

The Justice wants to quiz you,
that is all I know.

Whatever for?

That's for him to say.

Amelia Scanwell,
a girl of faultless virtue,

told me she saw Sir George Howard

carried lifeless from your house.

The Scanwell girl is lying,

and I'll tell her so in court.

You put his carcass into a coach

and dumped it into St. James's Pond.

How did he die?

Did you do it yourself,

or are you protecting someone?

No, sir.

Your blackamoor?

He's a good man.

One of your whores?

My girls have done nothing wrong.

And neither have I.

Perhaps your daughter objected

to her older sister's castoff.

She was happy for such a keeper.

She was glad.

I'd like to hear her tell me so herself.

No.

She's just a child.

A child with such a mother.

And what will become
of her when you burn?

You did it,

or your daughter did.

And you'll take the noose to
protect her... I admire that,

I admire your fortitude, Margaret Wells.

I'll bring her before me. Please.

I beg you; not Lucy.

Get what you want from me.

What if you could walk away,

go back home and carry on your trade?

No one knows the virgin's
accusation but myself.

What I want is a maiden,

chaste and pure.

Bring me the Scanwell girl

and this charge will be snuffed out.

I'm not that kind of bawd.

You will be,

or your scruples can console you

when you're twitching in the noose.

I have a house in Denmark Street.

Well done, sir. Thank you, gentlemen.

Thank you very much.
He won nearly every hand.

Lord Fallon.

Go away, bawd, I don't want you.

I have come to give warning.

Justice Cunliffe is
planning to betray you.

And the next time he says he has a girl,

it is a snare.

I have no idea what your prattle means.

Some men are not fit
to serve the Spartans.

He seeks to bring you down.

Will you play, Madam Quigley?

The game you are engaged
in has great risk.

I am the finest player in the field.

I find a girl and I leave no trace.

For the Spartans to
endure their pursuits,

they would do well to come to me.

You don't need a spineless go-between

whose master is the law.

You need a high priestess.

I implore you,

go to the courthouse
and take back your lies.

Have you come to his funeral supper?

How dare you set foot in my house?

I have no right to
ask anything from you,

but an innocent man is going to die.

Another of your lovers.

His trial is tomorrow.

Mr. Haxby's lies condemn him.

On the night your husband died,

he declared that we
were bruised and bloody

from a fight... not true.

You were drunk on violence and murder.

Mr. Haxby is an upright man.

Why would he tell such vicious lies?

Because some men feel
their lust as hate.

Tell me.

Did you pin it to the harlot?

You wanted her brought low.

You practically bid it.

I embellished the facts
not to fabricate her guilt

but to enhance it.

I dismiss you from my service.
My lady...

Your judgment is marred with grief.

Accept my guidance... I am a widow,

and I suffer no man's guidance now.

In full command of my wits,

I say take your things and go.

This... harlot caused my master's death.

That is the abiding truth.

Who killed my husband?

Villains, perhaps?

Like they say.

Whoever they are,

I am free.

I'll speak for your friend.

Christ forgave Mary
Magdalene for her sins.

That's a new tune, Mrs. Scanwell.

Mrs. Wells.

How do you fare?

Very well.

My Charlotte's been released.

The matter's at an end.

I am profoundly glad to hear it.

Do you still wish to
leave Mrs. Quigley's pay?

It is a blight on both our lives.

I know of a house

that you could take for a while.

I offer it as charity, of course.

Perhaps your daughter would...

like to see the place to
see if it is convenient.

Mrs. Wells, you are too good.

Mrs. Quigley drained my mother
of her strength and health.

But she's recovering.

Here.

We want to start a house of penitence,

a place where fallen girls

may come to find God's love.

This house would mark a new beginning.

I did you wrong, Mrs. Wells.

I went to the courthouse this morning.

I meant you no ill will.

I was forced.

Don't drink it.

In return for my life,

Justice Cunliffe told
me to bring you here.

What does he intend?

A coach will come for you.

You will not return.

Come here.

Who you spying for?

I'm watching over my friend,
Miss Scanwell.

She's in grave danger.

I need you to fetch
Nancy Birch and Mr. North.

Help us.

You need to go home.

To catch a beast,

you must have bait.

Does she like him?

Or will she charge him for that?

Yes and yes.

I hate culls.

I need you.

Master yourself!

Nancy's going for the law.

You've done well.

It was easier than I thought.

Once your conscience peels away,

you'll find you can do anything.

You'd like to rise, wouldn't you?

Like Lydia Quigley.

She's had my protection
this last 20 years,

but her day is done.

Her fall marks your ascent.

No doubt you'll thrive as well as she.

Come on.

Suffering purifies the soul.

It will bring you closer to God.

Cunliffe, Justice Cunliffe!
This is kidnap!

Just go!

He's injured.

There's blood.

He's... he's hit.

He's been stabbed!

A thousand thanks, Lady Caroline,

for the service you've done me.

A small service.

No one has ever done more.

On you go.

What ails you?

An old friend has died.

Sad news.

My condolences.

What would you say to them all?

The ones who hurt you,
cared nothing for your pain?

Show them your strength.

I'll pound you

to tripe,

you worthless grunt!

Charlotte, what are you doing here?

I will join you directly.

You loved me for a night
and it almost cost your life.

That's not because of how I felt.

Let's go, come on, come away with me.

I am not to love or be loved.

What kind of demented thinking is that?

We could have our freedom.

Be who we please.

I know you feel as steadfastly as me.

I cannot be with you.

Will I carry you out
of this cage on my back?

Everything I am,

everything my sister is,
comes down to this.

My mother was sold, age 10,

to a bawd who put her
to work as a whore,

Lydia Quigley.

That woman has grown rich
on countless ruined lives.

Fate has put me in her house,

and I will bring her down.

That is my purpose now.

Shh.

I'm ready, Ma.

Synced & corrected by Monkeymannn