Little Dorrit (2008): Season 1, Episode 12 - Episode #1.12 - full transcript

The Sparklers return to London with Mr. Dorrit, who is thrilled to be seen as part of Mr. Merdle's world, and, like countless others, is keen to invest his wealth into the Merdle funds. So is Arthur, now running his business alone whilst Daniel takes up a six month appointment in Russia. Arthur asks Mr. Pancks to find Rigaud, and Flora calls on Mr. Dorrit, asking him to do the same, in which capacity he visits Mrs. Clennam, who is as icy as ever and throws him out. Wounded by her tone he starts to unravel, over-reacting when a cab driver mentions the Marshalsea, and being aggressive when John Chivery visits him, although he calms down and apologizes to John. He believes that Merdle's circle scoff at him because of his past and hurries back to Italy, where his ramblings make no sense to a concerned Amy.

So this is the home
of the great Mr Merdle.

And the very distinguished
Mr Sparkler and his lovely
bride, too, isn't it, Edmund?

That's it, my dearest love.
Till we take a place of our own.

Ah... Mr Sparkler.

And Mrs Sparkler, I presume.
Correct.

I trust you had
a pleasant journey, Madam.

Not particularly.

And this...gentleman?

Is Mr Dorrit. My father.

Thomas, tend to the luggage.

If you would be so good
as to follow me.



Difficult day, very difficult.

They don't understand, do they?

Hmm? They have no idea.

KNOCKING

PARROT SQUAWKS

Mr and Mrs Sparkler

and Mr Dorrit. Ah!

Yes, yes.

And this is Fanny!

Charmed.

Vision of loveliness, as you can see!

Can't believe my luck,
to tell you the truth.

Oh, and this is her guvnor,
Mr Dorrit.

Mr Dorrit, I am pleased to meet you.



And I to meet you, sir.

Greatly honoured, sir, to make the

You will be happy to hear, sir,
that we left Mrs Merdle in
very good health and spirits.

The observed of all observers,
the admired of all admirers.

Mrs Merdle. Yes, to be sure.

Perhaps you will do me the honour
of staying, as my guest. Um...

Yes, I thank you for the compliment,
sir, and yes, I am greatly honoured

by it, but I've already
made arrangements.

I should, however, be infinitely
grateful if at some point you could
give me the benefit of your advice

as to the prudent
investment of my capital.

Happy to.

I'll wait upon you tomorrow morning,
if I may, on my way to the bank.

Oh, sir,

I am overwhelmed.

Words cannot express...

Till tomorrow, then.

So always keep your eyes
on the level and the pressure.

James will show you how
to operate the pistons.

No, no, you wait there.

Dan. Arthur. I want to
talk to you about something.

I too. The thing is...

I woke up early, couldn't sleep.

I've been approached by a
factory in St Petersburg.

They're taking on two
consultant engineers
and they want me.

It's six months in the first
instance, extendable to a year.

Russia? Mm.

Well, I hope you've said yes!

Well, I've been in two minds.

I hate to leave you
with this cloud hanging
over your family name.

But there is great work to be
done there, and they don't
bind it all in red tape.

Of course you must go!
Of course you must.

And anyway, I have an idea
about a venture of my own. Mm hm.

I think we ought to be making
our capital work for us

and I want to put it
into Merdle's funds.

Speculation, never cared for that.
This isn't speculation.

Far from it. This is investment. It
is solid, copper-bottomed investment.

Come on, Dan.
Fortune favours the brave.

This is the chance of a lifetime.

You won't regret it.

Agreed?

Agreed!

Oh! Tres elegant!

Will Monsieur be dining
at the hotel this evening?

No, Mr Merdle's invited me
to dine at his house tonight.

And every night while I'm in London.

KNOCK ON DOOR
What is it?

If you please, Monsieur,

I am so sorry to disturb.

But it is Monsieur Merdle!

Well, show him in, man!

Monsieur Merdle, Monsieur.

Ah.

This is indeed an honour, sir,
and at such an early hour.

Not too early for you, I hope.
Oh, no, no, no!

Some of us have to work for
our money, unfortunately.

Would you sit down and take some
refreshment with me?

Thank you.

But nothing for me.

Now, you want to invest
some money, Mr Dorrit.

I think I might possibly be
in a position to help you.

Mr Merdle,
that you think me worthy...

Of course, at the present moment
it would not be easy for a mere
outsider to come into any of the

good things, unless it were at
what we are accustomed to term
a very long figure.

Ah. But you can be considered
one of the family now. Please.

There is a very good thing it
might be possible to let you in
on - on highly privileged terms.

Not at a very long figure, then?

Very good, Mr Dorrit, I see
you understand these things.

There is a long figure for
the man who isn't in the know,

and a surprisingly short one
for the man who is in the know.

There must be integrity
and uprightness, of course,

in these transactions, or
business could not go forward.
No, of course not.

Then you are happy to proceed?

I should be happy - honoured -
to put myself and my fortune

in your hands.

If you could just stand aside
for one moment, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Hold back, gentlemen! Stand back,
please! Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

Mr Dorrit!

Mr Dorrit!

Oh!

Oh, dear! Missing Frenchman still
missing and the House of Clennam
fallen under suspicion.

Not Doyce and Clennam,
that's different.

That's Arthur. You remember Arthur?

If he can't take it,
he shouldn't hand it out.
Chop him up for firewood.

Shall we take a little walk?

Oh, good morning, Mr Clennam!

Morning!
Any word of that terrible Frenchman?

No, but I'm determined
to track him down.

Well, don't bring him to
Bleeding Heart Yard, Mr Clennam.

Poor Mr Cavalletto
would never get over it!

Oh, Mr Pancks?

What can I do for you, Mr Clennam?

I want you to help me
find this man Rigaud.

I'm not sure where to start.
He could be anywhere.

Well, Miss Wade knows him.

If we can track her down,
she may lead us to him.

I must find him, Mr Pancks.
I'll see what I can do for you.

Oi, you!

I ain't finished with you yet!

There he is!
Large as life and twice as ugly!

She's very lively today, Arthur.

Doyce and Clennam.
I hope you'll forgive the intrusion.

It's always a pleasure to see you,
Flora. What can I do for you?

Only that I read about that terrible
Frenchman who got himself murdered
to annoy your mother or something

of that nature and I came to see if
I could be of any help or succour.

That's a funny word -
makes one think of leeches and
horrid things like that -

but if I could be of any succour,
Arthur, then say the word
and I shall be yours!

Probably did it himself.

Oh! She is amazing for her age!

You think she's far away in her
own world and out she comes with

something quite profound,
if not often slanderous!

But here I am, Arthur,
at your beck and call.

Well, I'm very touched, Flora,
and if I can think of any way
you can help, I'll let you know.

And how is the dear little one?

Still in foreign parts and pining?

She is.
Not pining too much, though, I hope.

The principal painters who comprise
the Venetian school
are the following.

Amy. Amy!

It would be a pretty thing to
commit their names to memory,

so that you could produce them
extempore at a tea-party or soiree.

Many a young lady has
secured her reputation so.

Shall I begin?
Please do, Mrs General.

Bellini, Vivarini,
Mantegna, Giorgione, Titiano,
Tintoretto, Veronese, and Lotto.

Bellini...

Bellini, Vivarini,
Mantegna, Giorgione,

Titiano, Tintoretto,
Veronese and Lotto.

MAN SNEEZES

Scusi.

Monsieur, is a Mrs Finching
is here to see you.

Shall I show her in? Certainly not!

Finching? What Finching? A lady, sir.

I know of no Finching of either sex.
Send her away.

The lady said that you might not
know her name, but she was formerly
acquainted with Miss Dorrit.

The younger Miss Dorrit.

You may show her in.

Monsieur. Mrs Finching, Monsieur.

A thousand apologies
for the intrusion, but
I thought it best upon the whole,

however difficult and even improper
as a lady, and alone -

though Mr F's aunt
would have accompanied me.

May I take a chair? Thank you.

I knew the dear little one in her
former altered circumstances,

though Goodness knows half a crown
a day was no favour whatsoever
to such a needle as herself.

Quite the reverse! Madam,
if I understand you to refer to my
younger daughter's having undertaken

duties for financial compensation, I
know nothing of it and, had I known,
I should not have permitted it.

Never! Do me the favour,
Madam, of stating your pleasure.

It's not likely I well know, but I
made up my mind to try when I read
in the papers that you had arrived

from Italy and were going back.
For you may have come across him.

Come across whom, Madam?

The foreigner from Italy
who disappeared in the City.

Here he is in my bosom!

Madam, please!
No, the official handbill.

You may peruse it yourself, sir.

Monsieur Blandois!

I know this gentleman!
Well, do you know where he is?

I do not, madam.

Then would you have the goodness
to give me your promise

as a gentleman that, on travelling
back, you will seek him out
and make enquiries

in the hotels and orange trees and
vineyards and volcanoes and places?

For he must be somewhere,
and why does he not come forward
and clear all parties up?

"Last seen at Clennam and Co".

Is this the individual of whom
I formerly had some slight
transitory knowledge?

No, no, that's Arthur!

This is Clennam and Co, his mother!

His mother! Yes.

She may, as we speak, be under
suspicion of the foreigner's murder.

His mother.

Mrs Finching, this gentleman is quite
intimately known to me and my circle.

It therefore behoves me to determine
the facts of the case for myself.

Leave it to me, Madam.

I shall get to the bottom of this.

Who is it, Flintwinch?

More enquiries.
Gentleman from Italy.

Bring him up, then!
I'm bringing him!

Well, sir? Have you come
to give us information?

No, madam. Rather to seek it.

There is none to be got here,
unfortunately for us.

Show the gentleman
the handbill, Flintwinch.

And give him several to take away.

Thank you, I've seen the handbill.

Then what business have you here?

The gentleman on the handbill
is an acquaintance of mine.

Have you a commission from him?
No, that is...

Madam, I have not come here
to answer questions but to ask them.

Who are you? I am a gentleman
of property, residing in Italy.

Monsieur Blandois is intimately known
to me and my circle, and I should
like to ascertain his whereabouts.

Now tell me, madam, was
Monsieur Blandois here on business
the night he was last seen?

On what he called business.
And could you communicate
the nature of that business?

No.

Then may I ask how you
account for his disappearance?

I don't account for it.
No doubt he is travelling somewhere,
or hiding somewhere.

Let him account for it.

Madam, I put it...

Sir, I put it to you that you have
no further business to be here.

Show the gentleman out, Flintwinch.

Back to Brook Street, driver.
Go by Southwark, shall we, sir?

Round by the Marshalsea
and over Waterloo Bridge?

Be quickest for you, sir.
No! Go the other way!

What other way? ANY OTHER WAY!!

I don't want to go south
of the river! Whatever you say, sir.

It's your money.

I'm a gentleman of property.

A friend of Mr Merdle!

I'll not submit...
not tolerate this treatment.

Madam, do you know who I am?

I'll have you know, madam,
that I am a gentleman,
a gentleman of considerable means!

I ask the questions here, not you!

KNOCK ON DOOR
Yes?

Monsieur. Mr Chivery, Monsieur!

Chivery?

I'm not at home!

Hello, Mr Dorrit! How dare you?

How dare you presume to come here?

How dare you insult me?

Insult you, sir?

I'd never do that, sir. Then
what the devil are you doing here?

Beg your pardon, sir, I thought
to bring you a few cigars.

Cigars? For old times' sake.

Damn your cigars! I don't smoke!

You used to, sir. Are you
calling me a liar? Tell me that again
and I'll take the poker to you!

Oh, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no! Stop! Stop!

Sit down! Sit DOWN!!

What else did you come here for?

Only to say I hoped you was well,
sir, and to ask how Miss Amy was.
What's that to you?

Nothing at all, sir, by rights.

I never thought of lessening
the distance between us.

I never thought you'd
have taken it ill.

In my poor way...

I'm too proud
to have come, if I'd thought so.

Shall I go, sir? No.

Stay there.

I'm sorry.

I was hasty...

with you, young John,

but...some remembrances
are not happy ones.

You shouldn't have come, you know.

I feel that now, sir.

Never mind.

Give me your hand.

Um, yes.
Leave, please... Leave the cigars.

Yes, it was a kind thought.

Very good, sir.

Um...

Father well, John?

Pretty well, sir, thank you. Busy?

We're always busy
at the Marshalsea, sir.

I hope you'll overlook...

what just passed, John.

Don't speak of it, sir.

I don't bear no malice.

I think I should be
going now, then, sir.

Yes. Yes, very well.

Goodbye, John.

Goodbye, sir.

Yes, that's old Dorrit.

Not the debtor Dorrit?

Father of the Marshalsea.

Twenty-five years people used to go
and see him. Went to see him myself,
gave him half a sovereign.

Now look at him, rich as Croesus.

Not a proper gentleman, though.

No, no. Not a proper gentleman.

Will there be anything else,
Monsieur?

Monsieur? Yes.

Order a coach for tomorrow morning.

I've decided to return to Italy.

Very good, Monsieur.
And another thing.

Arrange for a jeweller to come here -
a first-rate one, mind.

There's something I need to purchase.

Of course, Monsieur.

That'll be fine. See you later then.

Good morning, Mr Clennam.
Mr Doyce has set off safely?

Yes, he has. He'll reach St
Petersburg in about a fortnight.
Good news, Mr Clennam. Now...

I've found out something
for you about Miss Wade.

You know where she is?
She's in Whitstable, sir.
With her little friend. (SNORTS)

I'd get down there quick, if I
was you, before they're off again.

Thank you, Mr Pancks.
Any time, Mr Clennam.

Allow me, sir. This way.

No, no, no, not there! Behind me.

He should never have come.

He should have had more...

I will not go round
by the Marshalsea.

Monsieur?

What? Did Monsieur speak? No!

W-W-What time is it?
How far have we come?

The time is half past six,
and we have passed

through Dartford and Gravesend,
and we are now near Rochester.

Rochester? No further?

No, sir.

'My dear Mrs General...

'Dear, lovely Mrs General...

'I hope it will come
as no surprise...

'Oh, Lord...Perhaps best leave it
to the inspiration of the moment.'

HORSE WHINNIES
Monsieur? Where now?

Nearly at Canterbury, Monsieur.

Would Monsieur care to stop
and take refreshment?

No, no. No, on, on.

Old Dorrit?

Debtor Dorrit!

Playing the gent on the Grand Tour!

But it won't do.

No class. No class.

Riff-raff. Riff-raff.

Monsieur, monsieur?

We are nearly at Paris, Monsieur.

Paris! Oh, yes. Very good.

Monsieur.

Verona, Monsieur. Verona.

Not far now.

I shall be very glad
when we're there.

PLAYS JAUNTY TUNE

There. There, not bad,
though I say so myself.

Very good. Do you know, I think
you get younger by the day, Uncle.

We get on all right, don't we?

You and me.

I'm not up to Fanny's expectations,
and I'm not up to William's,

and I'm certainly
not up to Mrs General's,

but you take me as I am, Amy,

and I take you as you are.

You know, that makes things...
comfortable and cheerful.

Yes, it does.
Now, will you play me another?

Don't fuss, don't fuss!

I can manage perfectly well.

What's that infernal noise?!

Who's at home?

Father! You're home!
I'm so glad to have you home.

That's enough, that's enough.

Dear William, welcome back.
Someone to receive me at last.

I appear to have been so little
expected, perhaps I should
apologise for coming back at all.

Come and sit down, Father,
you must be tired from your journey.

I'm not tired, I'm perfectly well.
Thank you, I can do it
without assistance.

I wonder, could I have a morsel of
bread and a glass of wine, or would
that cause too much inconvenience?

There, Father.
You see...we were expecting you.

Thank you.

What are you staring at?
I'm not tired.

I'm perfectly well. I'm not at all
pleased with your looks, Frederick.

You should be in bed,
you seem very feeble.

You should learn to take more
care of yourself. Well...

Well, I dare say I should.
Well, off you go to bed, then.

Good night.

Good night, Amy. Good night.

He's failing.
I see a great change in him.

Poor Frederick. He's sadly broken.

Sadly broken.

Mrs Merdle
will be pleased to see you.

She delayed her farewell ball
especially for you. How kind.

Do you know,
I don't find myself hungry after all.

Should you rather go
straight to bed, Father?

Perhaps I should. I'm your father,
not your infirm old uncle,

but it's been a long journey.

Has John called in?

John?
Which John do you mean, Father?

John...

I never mentioned any John.

I think you must be tired, Amy.

Yes, I think I must be.

Shall we both go to bed, Father?
Yes. Yes.

I demand...

I demand to be treated with respect.

You are, Father. Oh, you are.

I adore you. No, decorum...

I beg you, sir, desist!

Your name, sir? Rigaud.

I thought if I gave my real name,
you might refuse to see me.

I'm here to ask for
your help, Miss Wade.

I sometimes wished that you'd
never come to the Marshalsea,

that I'd never met you,
that none of this had ever happened.
I was happy as I was.

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