Mr Selfridge (2013–2016): Season 2, Episode 10 - Episode #2.10 - full transcript

(girls laughing)

(voice drowned out)

(laughing)

(children talking
over each other)

Sorry?

I'm afraid we're
a rowdy bunch tonight.

That's all right.

Would you please excuse me?

So many old friends to meet.

I'm going to the pictures.

Me too.



Can I come?

Pa, make them
take me with them.

Gordon, take your sister.

Go on, do it for me.

ROSE: Everyone, it
is Thanksgiving

in a couple of days,

and I want us
to sit down together

for an entire evening
as a family.

We're going to give thanks
for our many blessings,

just as we've always done.

All right?

This place'll be heaving
with customers

by the time you and Agnes
work your magic here.

It's going to need
a spruce-up



before the wedding,
that's for sure.

Mr. and Mrs. Colleano, eh?

Not long now.

(clock chiming the hour)

What have I done
to offend you?

We can't be together
anymore, Florian.

It's wrong.

Who says it's wrong?

I'm too old for you.

There's no future in it.

You decide this
without even discussing with me?

I have your interests at heart,
please know that.

What I do know is
we made each other happy.

I know I love you.

You don't decide that for me.

Ready?

Ready.

It's going to feel
really odd, though.

Do you think Mr. Selfridge
will understand us

handing our notice in
so suddenly?

He knows I'd want George
at my wedding.

Army doctor says that
his arm is on the mend,

so he'll be back
at the Front in no time.

You'll have me to share
your worries with, Agnes.

Actually, he's going to come
into the store today.

He says he feels
ready to now.

The American Embassy
advises me

that all charges
have been dropped.

I'm a free man.

I'm so happy for you, Henri.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

The Selfridge name
will be cleared too.

You'll see.

Sure, son.

Now that I'm free to travel,

I have to go
and sign up to fight.

It's the right thing to do.

I'll be sorry to see you go,
but of course I understand.

Miss Plunkett,

I was unaware
that Mr. Selfridge

was due to meet
Frank Edwards tonight.

Really?

I need some of his evenings
for social engagements.

I don't see any available
for the next month.

If I get to the diary
faster than you,

then that's your look out,
Miss Blenkinsop.

(gasps)

Oh!

Is everything all right,
Miss Mardle?

Mind your own business!

That was rude of me.

I am terribly sorry,
Miss Calthorpe.

Please excuse me.

Of course.

Everyone's entitled
to a bad day.

Is that what I'm having?

Well, you do seem
a bit out of sorts.

Yes, I suppose
I am rather.

My mom's not like
other people.

She says a problem shared
is a problem doubled.

But she also says,

"When in doubt,
do something."

Even if it's
the wrong thing,

at least you'll be
making a decision.

Yes, thank you,
Miss Calthorpe.

Going anywhere nice, Rose?

Just out and about.

I'll come with you
if you like.

I could do with some air.

I have a lot of errands
to run today.

Very boring.

But I'd love to walk
with you later.

Miss Towler and Mr. Colleano
to see you, sir.

And Frank Edwards has confirmed
tonight's meeting.

We want to get married,
Mr. Selfridge,

while George is still here
to give me away.

So we're both
handing in our notice.

You're leaving?

We'll inform Mr. Grove now.

Miss Towler felt
you should know first.

I know this
seems sudden,

but war has a way
of quickening one's step.

Thank you, Mr. Selfridge.

For everything.

You'll be sorely missed,
Mr. Colleano.

Miss Towler, could I have
a minute, please?

(door closes)

I know it's this
country's policy

that married women
give up work,

but I'm willing to bend
the rules for you.

Thank you.

But, um, I'm not just
joining a family;

I'm joining
a family business.

A family business.

Has a nice ring to it.

Not like Selfridge's,
obviously, but…

I need to put
my whole heart into it

for Mr. Colleano's sake.

I can't pretend it's
not a sad day,

what with Mr. Leclair
leaving and all.

Where's he going?

His name has been cleared.

He's going to fight
for France.

Can I help you,
Mr. Leclair?

You can, if you'll
accept my apology.

Apology?

Miss Towler had to deal

with her brother being missing
in her own way.

I spoke out of turn

and overstepped the mark
as a concerned colleague.

I'm sorry.

I accept your apology.

I wanted to clear
the air between us

before I join
the French Army.

You're leaving?

Yes.

In a couple of days.

Before I go, I wanted
to wish you and Miss Towler

every happiness and success
in your life together.

Thank you, Mr. Leclair.

I hope you return
safe and well.

I won't be coming back
to Selfridge's.

Thank you for waiting,

Mrs. Selfridge.

Is that my X-ray plate?

It is, yes.

I've consulted
with a colleague…

and, sadly, he confirms
my diagnosis.

What do you mean?

I'm afraid there's no way
to sweeten the pill.

It's not good news,
Mrs. Selfridge.

George Towler!

Hello, Kitty.

(girls talking
excitedly)

What did you do
to your arm?

(excited talking
continues)

CRABB: A pleasure,
Private Towler.

Indeed, an honor.

Thank you, Sir.

We're extremely
proud of you, young man.

Thank you, Mr. Grove.

We were so worried
when you went missing.

Like a bad penny,
Master Selfridge.

I'll always show up.

(laughing)

What was it like
out there?

(talking excitedly)

My father would love
to see you.

I can't believe
he's back!

All right now, ladies,
back to work.

(giggling)

I heard we've lost men,

Mr. Selfridge.

Throughout the store.

I've written letters
to all their families,

so I'm very happy to see you

and to know that's not a letter
I have to write.

It's hell out there.

Only they don't tell you that
in the newspapers.

What kept you going?

The small things kept you going,
Mr. Selfridge.

Letters, parcels from home.

Chocolate.

Clean, dry socks.

Baccy.

Cocoa.

The comforts of home.

Exactly that.

I'd open up
your parcel, Aggie,

Straight into
the jars of jam.

AGNES: You and your
sweet tooth, George.

The tasting bit
came after.

First, I'd get the jar

and put it up to my nose
and breathe in.

Do you remember how
we used to make jam

and chutney with Mother?

Our life of crime,
Mr. Selfridge.

Robbing orchards.

I hope you didn't get caught,
like I did.

(laughing)

Bedlam going on
all around you.

Open a simple jar of jam,

close your eyes

and you're back
in your mother's kitchen again.

A boy, all safe and warm.

I want to reflect your brother's
words throughout the store.

The comforts of home.

The simple things.

I'll get started
on a window straight away.

Your swan song.

Yes.

These have been the best five
years of my life, Mr. Selfridge.

Just you make sure the rest of
your life is equally as happy.

Miss Towler,

you've come to mean
a great deal to me.

I want you to know that.

Thank you, Mr. Selfridge.

I'll miss you.

Are you all right,
Mrs. Selfridge?

I'm fine,
thank you, Fraser.

I need to discuss the
Thanksgiving dinner with you.

I want you to think
of something reassuring,

Mr. Thackeray.

Plain, old-fashioned
breakfast tea.

A warm waterproof coat.

Talcum powder.

SELFRIDGE:
Let some of the tea loose

so you get the aroma
as you approach.

I'll put out the Mackintoshes
immediately, Mr. Selfridge.

Miss Mardle?

Most women would make
personal sacrifices

for a decent
pair of gloves.

To give a pleasant scent

and to ease fingers
into gloves

or stockings into shoes.

I can do a bigger promotion
if you'd like?

One glove turned inside out
on each set.

Keep it simple.

We are stoking memories,
that's all.

Tell Cook that the girls

brought pecans back
with them from Chicago,

so she just has to get the rest
of the ingredients for the pies.

Actually, Fraser, just tell her
I'll make them myself.

Certainly,
Mrs. Selfridge.

You make your own pies?

Yes, pecan pies.

Huh.

The best in America,
actually.

Sorry… Fraser?

I need to add pumpkins
to that list.

We can't get
sweet potatoes here.

Oh, and the ingredients
for the corn bread…

This is going to be

the best Thanksgiving
dinner ever.

Even

We'll put white cloths

on all the tables
for the wedding.

That way we can use them
again for the public.

And simple winter pansies
in the center.

We could hang ivory silk bows
all along that wall.

I'll do a suckling pig
on a spit outside, George.

Right.

FRANCO:
Two types of ale.

Pale and bitter.

Oh! Sprinklings
of pine needles on the floor

to give that lovely
winter smell.

A bit of tender loving care
and we'll be ready

to face the public,
won't we, Victor?

Sorry?

I was just saying
what we could do here.

Come on, Franco,

let's have a look upstairs
at what can be done.

What's upstairs
got to do with me?

You'll be the one painting it.

Oh!

Go on, get a move on.

I've got to get back
to the store.

All right, George?

Penny for 'em?

There's just a lot on my mind.

Thinking about going back
to the Front?

Just a lot of things.

I had a quiet word with some
of the Procurement Committee,

and they back Loxley
to the hilt.

Even Edgerton.

Well, there's a surprise.

FRANK: What we need is
incontrovertible proof

that you did not recommend

the manufacturers
Loxley says you did.

But what kind of proof?

Was anyone else party
to the conversations you had?

No, I gave him a list.

"Use these suppliers.

On no account use those."

Was that list
in your own handwriting?

Yes.

Normally I make copies,

but because you vouched for him,
I didn't see the need.

That list will be
long gone by now.

Oh, no, I think
you underestimate

my husband's arrogance, Harry.

You think its possible
that he still has it?

Well, if he does,

I'll find it.

SELFRIDGE:
Well, be careful, Mae.

I don't want you
putting yourself in danger

on my account.

No, don't worry.

I'll get Pimble to find out
when he's not at home,

and then I'll go.

(knocking)

I've arranged
an audition for you

with the Halle Orchestra
in Manchester.

They have an excellent
reputation.

I'll pay for your
accommodations, of course.

I am not joining an orchestra
when there's a war going on.

There are more useful things
for me to do right now.

I thought
you'd be pleased.

I'm not pleased.

Florian…

This is your house,

and maybe you think
I have no right to ask,

but while
lam still here,

please leave this room.

(door closes)

Henri.

I did not expect you back.

I, um…

I asked for homely things

for my window.

What's the idea?

Home.

The things that ground us.

A family making jam.

The results
in the jars.

Deep, glossy colors
like melted jewels.

(chuckling)

What's funny?

You.

Seeing jewels in jam.

Ordinary people
think of the taste.

I am ordinary.

So it appears
we're both leaving.

Funny to think of other people
taking over our studio.

All the hours that
we spent in here,

going half crazy
looking for ideas.

Yeah.

Good times.

One last walk

in a London park at night.

Like we used to.

When we were together,
remember?

I remember.

HENRI:
How do we do this?

Just walk for hours,
not saying anything much.

Just being.

This was our place.

When I was a girl,

I used to wake up
in the middle of the night.

My mother was dying

and my father was
drinking hard by then.

But for those few hours,
it was quiet.

Just me and this great
big city, asleep.

I bet you sat up,
hugged your knees

and dreamed about
what life would bring you.

Did you do that?

Yes, I did!

(laughing)

But it was all
make-believe

until Mr. Selfridge
came along.

He must have dreamed
when he was a messenger boy.

He'll miss you.

He thinks the world of you.

He'll miss you.

Will you miss me?

Of course I will.

And you spare me a thought

when you're up to your neck
in the restaurant, huh?

Maybe little Agneses and Victors
pulling at your apron strings?

(laughing)

It's hard to imagine that
right now.

I have one big wish
for you, Agnes.

That all your dreams come true.

All over London,

people will be waking up
in a few hours.

I'll never forget you, Agnes.

I'll never forget you, Henri.

(fire crackling)

(knocking)

Hello, George.

Just checking Agnes
isn't working too late.

Or has she gone to bed?

She's not back yet, Victor.

Come in.

Have a cup of tea.

Miss Mardle and Mr. Dupont
turned in for the night,

have they?

That's right.

I don't sleep so well.

Easier to stay up in a chair
till I drop off.

Very late for Agnes
to still be working.

I'm a bit worried
about her.

What is it, Victor?

You're very close,
the pair of you.

Is she going to be happy
at the restaurant, George?

If she said
that's what she wants,

then I'm sure
she'll be happy.

Don't sound too sure.

Well, I'm not the one
marrying you.

Why are you asking me?

Come on, George.

I could see you was wondering

whether the restaurant would be
the right future for her.

Whether her talents would be
wasted there.

We both know she's special.

She'll always be
ordinary Agnes to me.

She's not ordinary.

Nothing wrong with that.

Most of us are.

But not Agnes.

I'm sure she loves you,
Victor.

Course she does.

Why wouldn't she?

(chuckling)

All I know is she's
always been there for me.

Loyal to her backbone.

She'll never
let you down, Victor.

Florian, what are you
doing here?

A letter arrived.

From the Halle Orchestra.

Well, won't you at least
consider it?

Once they hear you play,

they'll accept you
without another thought.

You are so anxious
to get rid of me?

I only want what's best for you.

Surely you must see that?

Everything all right,
Miss Mardle?

Perfectly all right,
Mr. Grove.

I'm just resolving
some household issues

with Mr. Dupont.

A household issue.

That is what I am to you, Josie?

No.

No, that's not how it is at all,
Florian.

FLORIAN: Now you make
us both lonely again.

Is that what's best for us?

Will you come and see me
when you have a moment?

Have I done
something wrong?

No.

I fear I have.

(knocking)

Come.

May we speak
as true friends?

In spite of all that's
passed between us,

I'd like to think
we understand one another

better than most.

A true friend
wouldn't have spoken to me

the way you did.

What a thing to say to a woman.

"Old fool."

I beg your forgiveness.

If anyone should wish you
happiness, it should be me.

And I do, sincerely.

However, you have given me
food for thought.

Florian is a young man.

A promising music career
ahead of him.

He has no business with me.

He loves you, Josie.

I can see that from the way
he looks at you.

It's no passing fancy.

But if I care for him,
really care for him,

then I must let him go.

He may want children.

He thinks he loves me now.

But what about
in five years' time,

ten years' time?

What about if one day, he…

Life is full of "what ifs."

This country
is full of parents

bidding their sons
goodbye,

wondering "what if"-- "What if
I never see my son again?"

You've got the man
you deserve.

Don't throw him away.

(door closes)

(birds chirping)

(door opens)

Miss Blenkinsop!

Where's Mr. Selfridge's diary?

I've no idea, Miss Plunkett.

You took it, didn't you?

Why would you do
such a childish

and ridiculous thing?

We both have a job to do,

and you're making
mine impossible!

I'm making it
impossible?!

Ladies, please!

This is most unseemly.

What do you accuse
Miss Blenkinsop of taking,

Miss Plunkett?

My diary
for Mr. Selfridge.

I only wanted to see
what dates I might have.

This is not the wild
African savannah.

Mr. Selfridge is
not a wildebeest

to be hunted down
by slavering hyenas.

Cooperate
and work peacefully

and in tandem
from now on.

What's going on?

Nothing for you to
worry about, Mr. Selfridge.

I think it might be better
for you to work

from the Selfridge household,
Miss Blenkinsop,

seeing as though you have

all the family's social
engagements to arrange.

PLUNKETT:
Yes.

We could meet here every Monday,
Miss Blenkinsop,

to apportion Mr. Selfridge's
time to our diaries.

Excellent idea,
Miss Plunkett.

What do you think
you're doing?

Of course.

Dirty little scrubber
looking for money.

(sighs)

Have I told you recently

how utterly contemptible
you are?

But my money is above contempt,
I take it?

No, I don't think I have,

so I really should avail myself
of this opportunity.

You, Loxley.

You are a weak,
wretched little man.

On your knees… if you want it.

You were born into nobility,

but there's nothing noble
about you.

You're a war profiteer.

The scum of the earth.

Get out.

And you're a coward.

Letting Harry Selfridge
take the blame

for your dirty
money making schemes.

Take the money and get out.

It's the last
you'll get from me.

I would keep an eye on
the newspapers if I were you.

What's that supposed to mean?

Good-bye, Loxley.

May you rot in hell.

I was wrong not to speak out
when I knew that Loxley

was obtaining money
by foul means.

And I was wrong to vouch for
a man I knew had no moral spine.

Our troops have suffered
because of it.

And you have endured
the blame, Harry.

The Procurement Committee
convenes today.

Go and right these wrongs.

Go and clear your name.

You can't go in there!

Watch me.

(men chatting)

(men fall silent)

My name is Harry Selfridge,

and I stand before you
to clear my name.

Get out, Selfridge!

This is the House of Lords.

No place for a shopkeeper!

(laughing)

This man is a traitor
to this country.

Mr. Selfridge, please.

And you are no better for not
speaking out against him.

Somebody remove this man.

You came to me for advice
on manufacturers

to supply the troops.

And look where
your advice led us.

SELFRIDGE: For the sake of the
troops, I say to you all,

check every order that passed
through this man's hands.

I am sure that
shoddy boots

are merely the tip
of the iceberg.

He has been feathering

his own nest with kickbacks

from crooked
and inferior manufacturers.

A contemptible lie!

Have you no shame,
Selfridge?

Oh, I've been shamed.

In the press, in the eyes
of the public, my staff,

but most terrible of all,
in front of my family.

And quite rightly so.

I chose suppliers
on your word.

The word of a gentleman,
I thought.

The word of a man who knew
what he was about.

I strongly suggest

that you made those
recommendations

based on the promise of monies
from those suppliers

to you, Selfridge.

This is the list that
I gave you, Loxley.

It quite clearly states

that under no circumstances

do you use Kings,
the boot manufacturers.

Who did you use, Loxley?

Kings.

(men muttering)

SELFRIDGE: Your own wife is willing
to authenticate this list.

She's also willing
to testify

to huge sums of cash

deposited directly
into your accounts

practically from the moment
that you joined this committee.

What's going
to come out next, Loxley?

Yes, I'm a Yank.

And I'm a shopkeeper.

But I'm a man of honor.

Which is more than I can say

for some of the occupants
of this room.

Good day to you, gentlemen.

(men muttering)

Perfect, isn't it?

Honest and true.

Like Miss Towler herself.

Are you in love with her?

Yes.

Take good care of her,
Mr. Colleano.

I am leaving first thing
in the morning.

Good luck, Mr. Leclair.

What is it, Victor?

I'll always love you, Agnes.

I should hope so too.

But I can't marry you.

What?

I can't take you away

from this life you've made
for yourself.

Against all the odds.

You'd come to resent me.

And maybe children
would soften that in time,

but years would pass and your
heart would still be here.

You wouldn't be you, Agnes.

Victor…

The you I fell in love with
is the you I can't have

because a life with me would
mean too many changes for you.

I understood that
my life would change

when I agreed to marry you.

And I'm grateful
for that.

But I would never have
all of your heart.

We both know who does.

You are the loveliest girl
I've ever known, Agnes Towler.

And now I have to let you go.

Go to Henri.

Tell him you love him.

Be happy.

Would you do that for me?

Be happy.

Oh, Mr. Crabb, good news.

Mr. Edwards, Mr. Selfridge
and his family

are on the shop floor!

Excuse me, Harry,
I think you'll find

this interruption
worthwhile.

One for you,
one for you,

one for you,
one for you.

Good news.

The whole of London
is buzzing.

GROVE:
What's going on?

Mr. Selfridge
took on the establishment.

And Mr. Selfridge won.

Kings have admitted
paying Loxley

large sums of money
in exchange for orders.

They say he instructed them
to cut corners.

They're willing to testify

in return for reduced
culpability.

We couldn't ask for a better
Thanksgiving present, Harry.

Thank you.

Members of the
Procurement Committee

are sorely embarrassed.

They've extended an invitation
to you to join the committee.

I said I'd ask.

Tell them I said thank you.

But I decline.

I'm a store man at heart.

That's who I am.

It's what I do.

What will I do
with myself all day

now I don't have Loxley
to worry about?

(laughing): I'm sure
you'll think of something.

Indeed I will.

Yet once again,
the world is my oyster.

(giggling)

Everything all right, Rose?

We'll speak later.

Just enjoy this moment.

You deserve it.

Well done, Mr. Edwards.

So can we put all this behind us
and start again?

(sighs)

I'll consider it.

Kitty…

Miss Hawkins, you led me
to believe…

What did I lead you
to believe?

(laughing)

You can tell me
over dinner tonight.

When you may call me Kitty
again, if you wish.

Where are you going?

That is not your concern.

I cannot stay here any longer.

If I ask you to stay,
will you stay?

Ask me.

I've been fighting my feelings
for you for stupid reasons.

Other people's reasons.

I don't want you to go.

Please stay.

Please.

How many years since
we all sat around a table

for Thanksgiving dinner?

Come on, hurry up!

(laughs)

Harry.

Yeah?

I've got something
to tell you.

I haven't been feeling
very well lately.

And I know you've asked
a number of times

and I've brushed you off.

Rose?

I think the reason
that I put it off

was because I knew

that there was something
seriously wrong myself.

And now I've been
to see the doctor

a couple of times now,
and, um…

It's my lungs, Harry.

And what the doctors
are saying is that

there really is nothing
they can do.

Rose, sweetheart,
what are you saying to me?

I don't know
how to say this.

I'm dying, Harry-

Henri.

Agnes.

I thought I might
find you here.

'U.

I'm not marrying Victor.

And he told me
to come to you.

Was… was he right?

I love you.

I love you, Agnes.

I've wanted to say those words
for the longest time.

I love you.

You have to come back
to me, Henri.

I will.

I will come back to you.

And when I do,
I'll never leave you again.

We'll see the finest doctors
in the entire world.

There are things
that we can do!

Harry, sometimes
there are limitations

to what any of us can do.

Even you, Harry.

(sighs)

Even you, my love.

But you know
what you can do?

What?

What?

We're going to go downstairs

and we're going to enjoy
our Thanksgiving dinner

with our family
and our friends.

We will give thanks

and we will get through
the evening

just the way I've planned.

We can give them that.

And then tomorrow,

in the morning…

we'll gather the family
together and let them know.

Can you do this
for me, Harry?

Yes.

Thank you.

BEATRICE:
I give thanks

for this pink chiffon dress
I got in the store today.

GORDON: I give thanks for my
parents and all they do for me.

I give thanks for us all
being back together again.

A huge, big thanks for us
all being back in London.

I give thanks
the Selfridge name

has been cleared
of dishonor.

Well said.

Mae?

Oh, I give thanks

for friendship
and forgiveness.

Rose, sweetheart?

I give thanks for
all the years of happiness

that I have enjoyed.

With you, Harry.

And with my family.

And you?

I give thanks for the simple,
most important things:

my family,

my friends,

my beloved wife.

And I give thanks
for this moment in time,

which I shall cherish forever.

Amen.