The Duchess of Duke Street (1976–1977): Season 1, Episode 3 - A Nice Class of Premises - full transcript
With the death of Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales becomes King Edward VII. It also means an end to Louisa's relationship with him. Without royal patronage, Louisa's husband Augustus wants to open their house to gentlemen lodgers, but Louisa wants to start her business cooking for dinner parties. With little to do, Augustus spends too much time in the pub and Louisa decides he needs something to do so she suggests they buy the Bentick Hotel. Unfortunately, Augustus isn't up to the task of managing such an establishment, drinking and entertaining his friends most of the time. Louisa finally realizes bills have not been pair for months and the hotel is on the verge of bankruptcy.
What's wrong
with the lobster?
Her ladyship
on her high horse again?
Shh!
Call this
a bleeding mayonnaise?
Well, I followed
that recipe you gave me
exactly, madam.
In a pig's ear.
It's curdled.
I'll tell you just
what went wrong.
The oil you used
was cold,
straight out
the pantry, right?
When it got
too thick,
you bunged in
some vinegar,
then more oil,
and beat it all up
together, right?
I was in a hurry.
I thought it would
save time.
You can save time
on most things,
not when you're
making a mayonnaise.
I did my best,
madam.
No, you didn't,
Mrs. Wellkin.
That's
the whole point.
Your mind wasn't
on it.
I'm sorry.
I'll be more careful
in future.
I'll pour it away.
Hold on.
Waste not, want not.
Fetch us an egg.
All right.
Now.
Ta.
Yep. One. Two.
Let me see
your cloth.
Ta.
Right.
Now slow and steady
does it,
and you can't
beat too hard.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Mrs. Wellkin and me,
we was wondering
if we could watch
the procession.
Eh?
The queen's
funeral procession, madam.
Ever so many kings
and princes and that
will be there.
Oh. You can go
and gawk
if you want to,
see her off.
Won't you be
watching, madam?
No. I take
no pleasure
in funerals.
It's the front
doorbell, ma'am.
Well, go and answer it
then, Ethel.
You know it's
Molly's night off.
Time to cool.
Here you are,
Mrs. Wellkin.
You beat that.
And add the rest
drop by drop.
And let's liven it
up a bit, eh?
Where's the lemon?
Won't you please
take a seat, major?
No, thank you.
May I offer you
a glass of port?
No, thank you,
Trotter.
As I said,
I was just passing.
Ah. Shocking news.
Yes, indeed.
It must have been
worse for you,
being so close
to her late majesty
in the household,
so to speak.
Yes. Of course,
the end had been expected
for some time,
but death always
takes us unaware.
Yes, I suppose
it does.
Good evening,
Mrs. Trotter.
Evening.
Major Farjeon was
just passing, my dear.
He's just looked in
for a minute.
It's always
a pleasure.
Well, I have one
or two little things
to attend to.
If you'll excuse me.
LOUISA:
How are you, Johnny?
Oh, sorry.
Sir John, isn't it,
since the new year?
Johnny will
still do fine.
Thought you'd still
be in the Isle of Wight.
I have been, yes,
but the lying in state
ends on Saturday,
and hi--his majesty
asked me to check
on the burial arrangements
at Windsor.
It takes a bit
of getting used to,
doesn't it?
His majesty.
King Edward, eh?
How is he?
He stood up to it
surprisingly well.
Of course, he's not
a young man.
He's waited longer than
anyone else in history
to become king,
nearly 60 years.
Yeah. I've heard him
say he waited so long
sometimes he hoped
it would never come.
Yes.
There are many
who hoped it wouldn't.
Well, they better
not say it near me.
Who are they anyway?
Who says that?
Oh, many in society
and in the government.
They see him only
as a man of pleasure.
They don't realize
how devoted he is
to his people
and country.
So he must be careful
not to give ammunition
to those who expect him
to be unworthy
of his high position,
and that is really
why I'm here.
He won't be calling
for a while, eh?
Not for the foreseeable
future.
Oh, come on, Johnny.
You don't have to go
all round the houses.
Let's have it
straight.
He asked me to say that
he will always cherish
the fondest memories
of your... kindness,
your friendship,
but in the new
circumstances,
the special relationship
between you
must regretfully
be considered as over.
So I won't
see him again.
Oh, no. No.
He hopes you will still
meet again as friends.
Why, the lease
of this house, of course,
is yours and all
the furniture and movables,
and if in the future
you're in any
financial difficulty...
Oh, no. He's been
kind enough already.
I don't want money.
Times change.
Remember, in case of need,
you can always call on him.
And now, please, don't
bother to show me out.
Thank you for making
my mission
so painless,
Mrs. Trotter.
Oh, yeah. Louisa
will still do fine,
and I hope we're
still friends, eh?
You know, Louisa,
after two weeks
of full mourning,
it's a blessed
relief to spend
a moment or two
with someone
as refreshing
as yourself.
You've been taking
lessons from him, Johnny.
Yes. Well,
if you'll collect
his things together,
I'll send a valet
round in the morning.
Well, old girl,
you tried all your life
to change him.
The only way you could do it
was by popping off.
So you're free?
Yeah.
I can't tell you
I've prayed for it.
Yeah. I'm relieved,
too, in a way.
Louisa,
if we could...
Not tonight, love.
We'll talk about it
some other time.
Not now.
I'll see you
in the morning.
Ahem. It was up
to Louisa.
She didn't, uh...
She didn't want
anything more from him.
I hope your settlement
was generous.
How much
did you get?
Uh, nothing.
Nothing?
You're too soft,
augustus.
That's always been
your trouble.
You should have
dealt with it.
You should have got
something out of it
to make up
for the humiliation.
You'll never
stand up for yourself.
Listen. Norah,
will you listen?
All I can feel is that
I'm glad it's over.
I have Louisa
to myself.
She's not the way
you think.
There's no one else
like her.
She's not fast
or flighty.
If she was, I wouldn't
have stuck it...
parties,
grand living,
all that sort
of thing.
She...she don't
care for them,
not for herself.
She's not after that,
nor money,
nor jewelry.
Then what is she
after?
I don't know.
I wish I did.
Even, well,
the other side of it,
she don't seem
to care much
for that either,
not even with him,
with a prince.
They're more
like pals.
Hear them laughing.
He could be natural
with her.
It didn't happen
very often,
and in between,
I was with her,
just the two of us.
But she was never
your wife.
What you know?
NORAH: Good morning, Louisa.
What brings you
round?
Surely I can visit
my own brother.
It seems to me
the last words
I heard you say was,
"I shall never darken
this doorstep again."
That's just Norah's way,
my dear.
That's how it is
in families.
It doesn't mean anything.
She has to speak
her mind, you see.
Oh. I see.
Well, let bygones
be bygones, eh?
I don't mind people
speaking their minds.
I've been known
to do it meself.
One thing,
I'll say, though,
when people
speak their minds,
I like them
to stick to it,
whatever it is.
And in future,
I see they do.
AUGUSTUS: The news from
the cape seems better.
Oh!
Kitchener has pushed
de Wet and his army
right back across
the Orange River.
Hooray!
Louisa's brother
Arthur's out there.
You must be longing
for him to come home.
Not much.
Boers can keep him
as far as I'm concerned.
No doubt he'll turn up
one of these days,
looking for a handout.
I was wondering
what you were
going to live on now.
Now?
This must be
an expensive house to run.
We'll manage.
But how?
If you ask my advice...
I never do when I know
I'll get it anyway.
You mind your business,
we'll mind ours.
And if you're stopping
for lunch,
I better make sure
there's something in.
Norah, please don't
leave, honest.
You married
beneath you.
You were one
of the youngest
butlers in the country,
highly thought of
in a fine position
with a great future.
She put an end
to that.
She dragged you down.
Well, you always were
too trusting.
One thing's clear.
If you are to have any hope
of leading
a normal married life,
you must put
your foot down.
There's the cod we was
gonna have tonight,
and there should be
enough
on that joint
of ham.
Yes, madam.
I could dice
some carrots and turnips
to go with it and some
veloute potatoes.
Plain boiled,
Mrs. Wellkin,
and make
a parsley sauce.
That will do fine.
Yes, madam.
Soup smells good.
Oh. It's Ethel's
making, madam.
She's keen to learn
cooking.
I hope you
don't mind.
Oh. I'd be the last
to do that.
How long was you
married?
Nearly 9 years,
madam.
In service together,
were you?
No. He was a regular
in the army.
His regiment was one
of the first
to be sent
to South Africa.
He died out there,
did he?
On the way.
He caught fever
on the troop ship.
He was dead before
they ever reached
Cape Town.
Do you miss him?
Yes, I do.
He was a good man,
very good to me.
Only thing missing
was children.
Just didn't seem
able to have any.
May be
just as well, eh?
Ethel, dice some
carrots, will you?
Oh, ma'am.
Yeah.
There's a person been
waiting to see you.
What kind of person?
Young. Servant girl,
sort of.
Where is she?
Walking up and down
in the street.
In this cold?
Why didn't you
bring her in?
She won't come in, ma'am.
Well, why didn't you
come up and tell me before?
I didn't like to.
I thought...
Well, go and get her now.
She must be
frozen to death.
LOUISA: Mary!
Why didn't you say
who you was?
Why didn't you come in?
Miss...
Here. What's up?
Come sit down, girl.
Now, sit down there.
Are you in some kind
of trouble?
You're frozen
to the bone, girl.
Not in the family way,
are you?
Did you get the push
from Lord Henry's?
No. I walked out,
ran away!
Oh, Mary, when?
Two days ago.
When did you
last eat, eh?
Yesterday.
You warm yourself.
Get us a bowl,
Ethel, quick.
Where you been
sleeping, eh?
Rough. Under
the railway arches,
but there's
awful people there.
I was afraid
to go back.
Why didn't you come
straight here?
I did.
I walked past
and hoped
you'd seen me.
I was afraid
to come in.
Oh. You silly herbert.
Here. Get yourself
around this.
Now mind, it's hot
as a jockey's breeches.
Now, take it slow.
Don't scald yourself.
I don't understand
why you didn't
just knock
at the door.
Ivy said you was
all different,
that you wouldn't want
to see anybody
you'd been
in service with.
Oh. Did she now?
She said you was
a grand lady
and you wouldn't want
to be reminded.
There's some
people I don't want
to be reminded of.
Poison Ivy's
one of them.
Miss, it's never
been the same
since you left,
you and Mr. Trotter.
They made me do
everything...
..washing, cleaning,
fetching, and carrying,
and Ivy hit me
for being slow,
and sometimes,
I got so tired...
And you didn't dare tell
Mrs. Catchpole, did you?
Oh, no, miss.
Oh, Mary.
I'm so glad she
came to you.
Poor girl.
I couldn't think
what had happened
to her.
And your kitchen maid
Ivy's been up
to her old tricks
again, Mrs. Catchpole.
Oh, dear.
What are you gonna
do about it?
What can I do?
I've not been well.
This house has been
so difficult to run
since you
and Mr. Trotter left,
and then
Monsieur Alex.
We've had a series
of cooks
on a month's trial
each,
two quite good
but only competent.
Oh, well, that's
enough of my worries.
Please do sit down.
I'm so glad things
worked out well for you.
I expect you were
provided for.
Mm. I have a house
in one of the best parts
of town,
servants look after me,
bit in the bank.
And a devoted
husband.
Yeah.
Most women
would envy you.
Well, they'd be wrong.
I knew it was wrong
from the start.
When I realized what was
behind all that attention,
all that special
sort of kindness
I had from the prince,
it's not that
I wasn't flattered.
I was--I was quite cocky
for a while,
but the price was
too high, Mrs. Catchpole.
Knowing the prince
must have,
well, helped you
professionally.
Helped me?
It's finished me.
I've become too exclusive,
ain't I?
"By royal appointment."
Nobody really thinks
of me as a cook no more,
and that's what I am.
I'm a master cook.
Yes.
And it's not
just the name.
It's not the big success
that makes your name.
It's going on
and building up
your reputation.
It's the doing of it,
the atmosphere,
the ingredients,
and the contrasts
and making everything
perfect.
What do I do now?
I order meals
for a husband
who don't much care
what's served up
in front of him
as long as it's on time.
It's driving me barmy.
Yes. I understand,
my dear.
Um, ahem, Lord Henry
is giving dinner
to the King of Portugal
next Tuesday.
He stayed on
for a private visit
after the funeral.
Old Carlos
is no problem.
He likes good,
no-frills English cooking
and lots of it.
You give him oyster soup,
halibut, lark pudding,
venison pasty,
3 kinds of roast,
and he's happy.
You see? Who else
could have known that?
Lord Henry will probably
get a decoration
out of it, you know.
And so might you
if you came back
and cooked dinner
for him
just for
the one night.
How many guests?
20.
Yeah. Tuesday's not
much notice, is it?
Here. We're forgetting
about why I come here.
What about Mary?
Say yes,
and I'll promise
she's taken back.
Don't worry.
I'll cook your dinner
for you,
and I'll keep Mary meself.
If I'm going back cooking,
I'm gonna need someone
to help me, ain't I?
You'll never believe
the change
in that place, Gus.
They've only really
learned
to appreciate you
in your absence.
Hmm.
It will be funny
being back
in the kitchen
at Lord Henry's,
where it all
started, eh?
I don't--I don't want
you to go there again.
Eh?
I won't have my wife
occupying
a menial position.
Oh.
I mean it, Louisa.
I won't--I won't have it.
Well, Mrs. Catchpole
only asked me
to do her
a favor, Gus.
Then she should
ask me.
Must I remind you
that you are my wife?
Do you think I have
to be reminded?
I haven't finished
talking.
I'm talking to you.
We have to discuss
our future.
Oh, not now.
Now! We keep
putting it off.
We can't put it off
any longer!
All right.
Let's hear
what Norah
had to say.
I knew I'd get it
sooner or later.
We have to take stock.
We have no income,
we live in a house
that's far
too big for us.
Do you want to
sell it?
No. Of course not.
It's our only asset,
all we got out of...
we should use it.
Oh, yeah? How?
In the most
sensible way.
Let the spare rooms.
Own a boarding house?
No, no, no.
Private rooms
for gentlemen.
You get all huffy
about me occupying
a menial position,
and you want to
let off our rooms
to strangers,
go skiving around
after them?
We have servants
to do that.
Don't you see?
It would give us
our independence,
a chance to keep up
our station in life.
Which do you fancy,
St. Pancras or Waterloo?
I'm serious
about this.
All right then.
Let's be practical.
Now how much would we
get out of letting
3 or 4 rooms?
Precious little.
There's no money
in it, Gus.
We budget carefully,
and we wouldn't need
Mrs. Wellkin
with you doing
the cooking.
Over my dead body!
What? Slaving away
in this place
day and night
for a handful
of moldy lodgers?
Look. I'd earn more
out of one booking night
at Lord Henry's
than we'd get out
of 10 lodgers
in a month.
You don't know you'll
get any bookings,
and this will be
regular, steady.
Norah says...
Well, Norah can go...
My sister is only
concerned for our welfare.
Welfare
my aunt Fanny.
She wants to know
you're good for a touch.
My sister is part
of my obligations.
My mother would
expect it.
I'm sick and tired
of hearing you and Norah
go on about
your great connections.
Can't even put
a name to them.
I'm sorry, love,
but if you want me
to face facts,
then you've got to
face them, too,
right?
I know it's
difficult for you.
You're a butler
by profession.
You can't very well
carry on a living
in your own home,
but it's different
for me, isn't it?
I'm a cook.
I can go anywhere,
and I'm willing
to work hard
with your help,
and we'll try and make
a go of it, eh?
I won't have you going
to other people's houses.
What do you mean?
Meeting other men.
They take advantage
at those house parties,
and women are
fair game.
I know what goes on.
I know what happens.
Do you think I'd
let it... ever again?
You're my wife.
Oh! You keep
doing that.
Scares the life
out of me.
Don't you ever knock?
Sorry. I'm sorry.
I had to...
I had to see you
to apologize.
I didn't mean
to imply...
I wanted to say that
we're just starting,
everything is just
starting now.
The past, it's over.
I draw a veil
over it.
What do you expect
me to say?
"How decent,
how generous"?
I'm prepared
to forgive.
You're offering me
forgiveness?
You're prepared
to forgive me?
You knew what was
gonna happen, Gus,
as well as I did.
I married you.
I was married
off to you
to make me available
to him.
I wanted you.
I'd have done
anything,
anything to get you,
anything.
I just wanted
to be with you.
You knew how
it would be,
and I fought against it,
didn't I?
I kept waiting,
hoping.
No one will believe
what it's been like
never knowing
when it would end.
I thought maybe once
he had let you go
we'd have a chance,
we'd be together.
Well, we are.
I mean,
really together,
man and wife.
I thought maybe,
all this time,
maybe you'd get
to like me a little,
maybe be ready
to settle down,
maybe realize
I could make you happy,
and I could, Louisa.
I know I could
make you happy.
We get along fine.
Nothing's changed.
I don't mean it
like that.
I want you, Louisa.
But we had
a bargain, Gus.
I told you straight
I didn't love you.
I still don't.
I'm fond of you, love.
I don't belong to you
or no one.
If things is gonna
change between us,
it will only happen
gradual.
How long do I
have to wait?
I can't say that.
We'll have to see.
It's no good unless
you stay at home.
If you're gonna go
working out
in other people's
houses,
I won't be able
to stand it...
There's not gonna be
no one else.
I'll never know
that for sure.
You're so precious
to me, Louisa.
I'm jealous.
God help me,
I get so jealous.
Here, Gus.
I love you.
Try to...
try to love me.
You're kind
to everyone.
Be kind to me.
Steady.
Let me. Please!
Be kind to me.
Gus, let go of me!
I want you.
It's my right.
I've waited.
No!
Gus, let go!
Just this once.
Just now, please.
Ohh!
It can't mean
that much to you.
I'm your husband.
It's my right.
You can force me, Gus.
You're stronger than me,
but if you do,
it will be the only time.
You'll never
see me again.
Well, the dinner
was a triumph,
thanks to you.
His lordship was ill
all yesterday.
Ill?
He couldn't let
his principal guest
eat alone,
but King Carlos
had so many
helpings,
his lordship nearly
passed out.
Still, he asked me
to thank you
most particularly.
I won't beat about
the bush, Louisa.
His lordship was
overjoyed to hear
that you were
available again,
and he's asked me
to offer you
the position
as cook here
at the same salary
we paid Monsieur Alex.
I...now don't think
I'm not grateful...
Now don't refuse till
you think about it.
He'd expect you
to work for him
only during
the season.
The rest of the year
you'll be free.
And he's prepared to
take Mr. Trotter back
as his London butler
on the same terms,
living out.
Blimey O'Reilly!
You'll want time
to think about it,
of course.
No. No.
It's a generous...
it's a more than
generous offer,
and I am tempted,
but, well, you see,
Mrs. Catchpole,
if I'm ever gonna make
a real go of my career,
I can't work
for just one person.
I wouldn't be me.
I'd be Lord Henry's
cook, wouldn't I?
I can't go backwards.
I was afraid
you'd say that.
Of course, I don't know
that anyone else
is gonna want me.
Oh. I've had some
inquiries.
Lady Padgett's
housekeeper asked
if you were
available again.
Lady Padgett?
And several
of the people
who were here
for the dinner
for Dom Carlos.
I've made a list.
Sir Ernest Castle,
Admiral Fisher.
Crikey! There's half
the brass here.
There you go.
What the bleeding hell
is this, eh?
It's obvious, isn't it?
I've decided to go ahead.
Oh. You have,
have you?
It makes sense!
Our savings won't
last forever.
We need a regular income
to keep our heads
above water.
We're not in
the bleeding navy.
We've already
discussed this idea
and decided
against it.
You decided.
"Rooms
for gentlemen."
Discreet, Louisa.
Only for the best people.
Out! Out!
We'll ring you
when you're wanted.
Now, see here!
Don't you
"See here" me.
I don't understand
what you're objecting to.
That's what worries
me, Gus.
Always on
about your dignity,
your position
in life.
When you start putting
signs like that up,
you're throwing it
away.
I want us to be
independent.
You was ambitious,
ready to work, you were.
Now you won't lift
a bleeding finger.
This whole idea is
a way for you
to sit at home
and do nothing.
But that's what
I want.
I want us to be here
together.
Gus, I've told you.
I'm starting up
me business again.
I've asked you to
help me run it.
I'm not
a kitchen hand.
Oh, come on.
There's other ways
you could help,
and me prospects
are looking up now.
You're a good cook,
Louisa,
there's no denying that,
but it's time you learned
how to be a housewife!
I'm not
an housewife,
nor an housekeeper,
nor an house anything,
and let me tell you,
when my business
really gets going,
it's going to bring in
50 or 60 quid
a week,
and that goes straight
into the bank
for you and me,
for the both of us.
£60?
Yes, and we don't
need to let rooms
because I deal with
the real best people,
and some of them
are gonna come here
to consult me
to make bookings,
which is another
reason why
I don't want this
staring them
in the face.
Put that where
the monkey put the nuts!
LOUISA: Hurry up
with them sauces, Mrs. Wellkin.
The cab will be here
in a minute.
Yes, madam.
All right. You got
everything in there, Mary?
Yes, ma'am.
Good. Well, we're
just about ready.
Don't know how we
managed it all in here.
There's a limit
to how much
we can make
and take with us.
Need a bigger
kitchen, madam.
Yeah. That we do.
Right. Now, Mary,
you take the implements,
Mrs. Wellkin, you take
the sauces,
and both of you
manage the hamper.
Yes, madam.
What--what about
the master?
Oh. Left something
cold for him.
Hang it.
Where's the patties?
I'll fetch them, ma'am.
They're in the pantry.
Oh, thank you,
Ethel.
I could carry them
out to the cab, as well.
Oh, would you?
There's a good girl.
Please, ma'am, I could
do so much more.
I've been watching
how you do things.
In your own time, eh?
Oh, please, ma'am,
please.
I've heard you say
you need
another pair
of hands.
Well, I know there's
a lot to learn,
but I am quick
and...
Ethel, turn round.
Slowly.
Yeah. You're not
bad-looking.
Quite presentable.
If you could pick up
a bit of style
and control yourself,
I might be able to use you.
Oh, ma'am. Oh, ta
ever so, ma'am.
I mean, thank you,
Mrs. Trotter.
Blimey. Here. Come on.
Here's the cab. Right.
But you're not coming
with us tonight, Ethel.
When you're working
other people's houses,
they watch you
extra critical.
Don't want any of my girls
showing herself up.
You start with the basics
like Mary
tomorrow morning
6:00 sharp.
Any idea where
Mr. Trotter is?
He's at the pub, ma'am,
The Grenadier.
This early?
Shall I fetch him?
No, no. Leave him.
I've been going
through the mail, ma'am.
There's some bookings
for the month after next.
Oh. Right.
Oh! This one's
for the 14th.
"Could you quote
for a dinner party of 36,
wines included?
Lady Bee-u-champ."
"Bee-u-champ?
Beauchamp!"
My God.
"Bee-u-champ." right.
The Marquess of Thorne.
Yeah? What's
the randy old beggar
want this time?
He's willing to pay out
200 guineas
for a private supper
for two.
Oh. I think he wants you
to be the other guest, ma'am.
"100 guin...private,
own apartment,
"6 delicious
courses,
and a bum surprise
to follow."
I'll give him
a surprise all right.
Nice to see you,
Johnny.
A very great pleasure
to see you.
You're as lovely
as ever.
Thank you, kind sir.
What brings you
round?
Oh. I was just passing.
Somehow, whenever
you say that,
I get a very funny
feeling.
Heh heh.
What's up?
Don't tell me I'm
gonna expect a visit.
No. No.
Nothing like that.
So you were just
passing, eh?
Take a pew.
Thank you.
Everyone in London
seems to be talking
about your cooking.
An astonishing
success.
Yeah. It's working
out pretty well.
Yes.
Is Mr. Trotter at home?
No. No. He's...he's
out this morning.
Most mornings,
I gather,
and evenings.
It's about him, actually,
that I rather
wanted to see you.
Oh?
Word has reached
the palace
that your husband spends
much of the day
in a public house
near here
and that after he's
had a drink or two
he starts talking
about things
he shouldn't.
Oh, my God.
Now apparently,
it's not really malicious.
It's partly boasting,
partly feeling
sorry for himself.
He'll tell anyone
who will listen
how his life has been
ruined.
Now so far,
the king hasn't heard,
but if he does...
His majesty is completely
discreet himself,
and he demands discretion
from others.
He knows I wouldn't
do nothing to hurt him,
and neither would Gus,
not meaning to.
I admit I have
a certain sympathy
for Trotter,
and I realize
this puts you
in a very difficult position,
but if the greatest
possible damage
is not to be done,
you must find a way
to stop him.
No. I'm afraid not,
my dear.
It was only
a little while ago
you said Lord Henry was
keen to take him back.
Yes, but not
without you.
It was really you
he wanted.
Thank you, James.
Well, you know
the situation.
I'll be honest with you,
Mrs. Catchpole,
I don't know what to do.
I'm desperate.
It must be dreadful
for you.
No. It's not me.
I don't matter so much.
It's the palace.
Think what some
of them scandal papers
could make of it.
Well, you must speak
to Mr. Trotter,
warn him.
Ta.
I don't seem able
to talk to him no more.
He gets on his dignity,
and when I do try
and lay down the law,
it only makes him worse.
He's been hurt
very badly,
as well as the fact
that he hasn't
worked at anything
since he left here,
been living off you.
He must have lost all
belief in himself.
I've asked him
to take over
and run me business
for me.
He won't hear of it.
Oh, no, no, no.
That would make you
his employer.
Ta.
He'd be all
the more conscious
of his own failure.
Well, I am fond of him,
and, you know,
I'm sorry for him, like,
but it's no good
if he won't even try.
I think you have
the answer.
He has to be given
back
his self-respect
and pride
by having work
and responsibility.
I only wish I could
think of some way
to help.
"Partner in dairy.
"Capital investments
and shared profits,
"Hotels and catering.
Receptionist,
day and night porter."
No. "Bentinck.
"Long established
family hotel for sale.
"Excellent position,
permanent residence,
"small experienced staff.
Present owner retiring."
Permanent residence, eh?
"Lease and content
subject to negotiation.
Extensive
fully equipped kitchens."
Right.
Here's
the old Bentinck.
What do you think
of it?
Nice class
of premises.
How'd you like
to run it then?
Us?
No. You.
You'd be the boss.
Want to have a look?
MAN: Go on. Go on.
You've bought it?
60 years left
on a 90-year lease,
contents,
and the goodwill.
The man made us
a very good price.
I think he was taken
with Louisa.
How could you
afford it?
Where did the money
come from?
Well, we've
worked it all out...
what was left
of our savings,
what I've earned
these last few months,
what we'll get from
selling this place.
We can afford it.
Signed the papers
this morning.
And Gus is gonna
manage it.
Well, naturally
with his experience.
What will you
be doing?
Looking after
the kitchens,
running me own
business,
and Gus will
take care
of everything else.
The best hotel
in London.
I intend to see
that it is.
Yeah. Need a deal
of modernizing.
Well, we need to learn
to walk before we can run.
Of course, I shall
ask you to assist me.
Norah?
Well, I shall need
someone I can trust.
I shall want Norah
to be housekeeper.
Well, I've said it.
You make
the decisions.
LOUISA: Right.
Come on, girls.
Good morning!
Morning.
What are you doing
down here, Jessop?
Aren't you meant to be
the hall porter?
Well, yes, ma'am.
Get up into the hall
and port.
Here you are,
Mrs. Wellkin.
Here's your kitchen.
Do the best you can.
Shout for me
if you want me.
We'll work out
the menus together.
Yes, madam.
Right. Come on, girls.
Roll your sleeves up.
Get this place ready.
It's a bit
old-fashioned.
What do you mean?
Plenty of space.
Aah!
Oh, God.
Oh. Turkey.
Wild turkey
coming?
Yeah. Yeah.
The turkey
are coming.
They're
on their way.
Oh, good. Ohh.
Huh? Huh?
Mr. Merriman.
This is
Mr. Merriman.
He's the Bentinck's
head waiter.
Mr. Merriman,
this is me staff.
Nice
to meet you.
All right. Come on.
Get to work.
Deal to do to get
this place cleaned up.
I'll say.
Broken-down old dump.
Meals were cooked
in this kitchen
for Gladstone,
young woman.
He was a bit
broken-down, I know.
LOUISA: Ethel.
Excuse me.
Come on.
There you are.
He sort of goes
with the hotel.
I inherited him.
He's better
than he looks.
What was all that
about the turkey?
Oh. I've been warned.
Every now and then
he wakes up,
thinks he's still
in the Crimea.
He says he was
Lord Raglan's batman.
It's possible.
Women running
the kitchen.
It will end in tears,
end in tears.
I go away
for only two days,
and I come back here
and find Mrs. Wellkin
all upset
and ready to leave.
All I did was
send back her menus.
You what?
It seemed to me that
with only 16 guests
in the hotel,
they were
needlessly extravagant.
Well, that was none
of your concern, was it,
and in any case,
she'd agreed them with me.
I would have thought
that even you
would have realized the need
to economize at first.
The last thing
we want to economize on
is the service
we give.
There are dozens
of small savings
we can make.
Augustus agrees.
We can use the extra money
to redecorate this office.
Well, in my opinion,
it would be better used
in trying to brighten up
that hall.
That's none
of your concern, is it?
Any such decision is
up to Augustus.
All right,
but I'll have
no more interference
in my kitchen.
Louisa's right,
in a way.
She will go on playing
the great cook.
All she thinks about
are her precious kitchens.
She appears to forget
that you run this hotel
and that I am
the housekeeper.
Oh, Jessop, have
Merriman bring me
a bottle
of champagne.
Champagne, sir?
Yes. The Krug '92.
Krug '92.
Certainly, sir.
MERRIMAN: Trouble.
Trouble brewing, ma'am.
Knew it all along.
Trouble?
What do you mean?
Couple of more guests
left this morning.
Staff thinks
if any more go,
shutters will go up
and they'll all be out
on the street.
Now, listen here,
the lot of you.
This hotel is gonna be
a success.
It's gonna make
its reputation
on its cuisine, right?
10 guests or 100,
they get the best
bleeding meals in London.
We'll be turning away
visitors in 6 months,
and my business is growing
all the time.
So whatever happens,
you're not gonna be out of.
You'll be treated fair,
and there's gonna be
no sackings,
and that's my guarantee.
Right?
Very good, ma'am.
Now you've got lunch
to get ready.
Carry on.
And the menus stay
the same as we arranged,
Mrs. Wellkin.
Yes, madam.
Ethel, you'll take over
the preparations
for the German Embassy
dinner.
Yes, ma'am.
Mary, you come with me
to Hertfordshire.
Mrs. Trotter.
I...I've been meaning
to say,
the kitchen
at the embassy,
last time we had
ever so much trouble
keeping things hot,
and when there's
50 or more places...
Yeah. That's a problem
we keep running into.
I've been thinking
about it.
We're gonna use
hay boxes.
Hay boxes?
When I was a kid
at home, we used to put
the porridge overnight
into hay boxes.
Porridge? Are we
gonna make porridge?
No, you silly herbert.
It's the process,
isn't it?
You start it
in a big iron pot,
then you put the pot
in a box of straw overnight,
and in the morning,
it had cooked
nice and slow
in its own heat.
For bouillons, fricassee,
and such, perfect!
If you say so,
ma'am.
Yeah. I'm having
a load of boxes
delivered tomorrow.
We'll try it out
on the kaiser's nephew.
Oh, excuse me, madam.
A letter for you.
Lady Freel.
Countess.
Ah. Come in,
my dear chaps.
Don't believe it.
We're at Newmarket.
Oh, Jessop, have
Merriman bring us up
a bottle of brandy.
Certainly, sir.
Come into the office.
Wine with dinner.
Now brandy.
LOUISA:
Lower them in gently.
In you go.
Gently, for God's sake.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Mr. Trotter, he
wants dinner for 6
in his room.
What, at this time
of night?
His personal guests,
ma'am,
a few
sporting gentlemen.
It will take
a bit of time.
Now mind you don't
get them mixed up, Mary.
There's a soup of game
and a veal fricassee
for Richmond
and bœuf à la mode
and the oyster soup
for Grosvenor Street.
Oh. Hay boxes, eh?
They'll work,
Mr. Merriman.
Oh, I know it, ma'am.
I've seen the turkey cook
rat stew in them
in the Crimea.
Rat stew?
Oh, it's very tasty,
a nice rat.
Eh.
Mrs. Trotter said
we got to know how
to set out
the places.
I got it wrong
last night,
and there was
hell to pay.
Eh.
Sure that's right?
Study the menu.
Lay for
the first course
on the outside,
work your way in.
Simplest way
stands to reason.
Never thought of that. Ta.
Yeah.
You're late tonight.
Uh, Mr. Trotter's
entertaining
a few friends.
Oh, yeah?
Something wrong?
He's asked
for the keys
to the wine cellars,
ma'am.
There's a lot
of rare wines in there,
and as head waiter,
I'm responsible,
always have been,
and, uh, he wants
the keys.
Well, he's the manager.
He better have them.
Very good, ma'am.
So his lordship bet them
that none of them
would say hello to him
the following morning
when he rode down
rotten row.
They all said of course
that they would
and took him on
for 50 guineas.
Next morning,
they were all there,
so his lordship just
carriages a few horsemen
and an old
hackney cab.
When the hackney reaches
the end of the row,
the cabby stands up,
takes off his hat,
his muffler,
and his coat,
and it's his lordship!
And they all owed him
50 guineas!
Very good,
very good.
Ohh! Ha ha!
Keys, sir.
You took your time.
There we are.
What did I tell you?
Keys to a fortune
in claret, port,
rare brandy,
and champagne!
Hey, hey!
Oh, thank you,
Merriman.
Keep you going.
Ohh.
You'll wear yourself
out, ma'am.
Begging your pardon,
but is it worth it
just for money?
It's worth it for what
money can buy.
I'm gonna clear
all this lot out,
get in the most
up-to-date equipment.
That's what I'm
working for.
Every penny
goes towards it.
This is gonna be
the best kitchen in England,
and I'm gonna use it
to create the dishes
that no one's ever
dreamt about.
Yes, ma'am.
Right. I'm off then.
Where to?
I told you...
house parties
after the season.
Doncaster,
up to Hamilton,
back down to Anglesey.
How long will you
be gone?
About 3 weeks.
I'll miss you.
Go on.
You've got Norah.
Don't laugh at me.
I'll miss you.
Gus, how many times
have I come looking for you
these last months?
You're never here.
Ain't even asked
after me.
Well, I've been
busy making contacts
for the future.
Good. That's good.
And I've asked
for the checks
to be sent
direct to you.
AUGUSTUS: What do
you mean you object
to the service?
It's a privilege,
a privilege for you
to be allowed
to stay here!
Oh, but you're
ridiculous.
Your bill's canceled.
Get out! Get out!
What are you
doing there?
If you have duties
to attend to, see to them.
Otherwise, clear off.
Here we are.
Oh, lord.
We weren't expecting you
back till tomorrow, madam.
Eh, we found we
could catch
the afternoon train.
Oh, good evening, ma'am.
Evening.
Where is everybody?
My God,
Mrs. Wellkin,
what in the bleeding
hell is this?
Thought I told you
never to get anything
but the best quality
poultry.
Anything else is a waste
of time and money.
They were the best
I could get, madam.
Rubbish. Mather and Russ
don't even sell stuff
of that quality.
We don't shop there
anymore.
They won't give us
no more credit.
No more credit?
Why?
I went round to see
Mr. Mather himself.
Seems our bills
haven't been paid
for several months.
Months?
Tradesmen have only
been supplying us
on your reputation,
madam,
but not anymore.
Not as much point,
seeing as hardly anyone
to cook for.
There's only two guests
left in the hotel, ma'am,
and they're friends
of Mr. Trotter.
What's going on?
Your ruination,
that's what.
What do you mean?
Staff walked out because
they've not been paid.
Guests followed
because there's no one
to look after them.
Only Mr. Jessop and me
left upstairs...ruination.
I wouldn't leave till
you'd come back, madam.
Well, what about
Ethel?
She was turned out
last week.
That Miss Trotter said
she'd have to go back
to being a general maid.
She refused.
Where is
Miss Trotter?
Lying down,
as is her wont.
And Mr. Trotter?
Cafe Royal,
I suppose.
Dines there
most evenings.
Does he now?
Right. Mary, you come
with me.
Here.
Here. Where do you
think you're going?
There's nobody allowed
in there.
Is that so?
I'm sorry, but I work
for Mr. Trotter,
and he said to make sure
that nobody goes in there.
Well, you just try
and stop me.
Oh, my heavens.
Oh, my God!
Here. Where does he
keep the account books?
Mary, see if you can
find the cash box.
It ain't possible.
It ain't possible.
How much?
7 pounds, 6 shillings,
and 4 pence, ma'am.
Well, that's all
we got left
in the world, Mary.
Here. Take that
downstairs.
Put it in one
of the ovens.
For God's sake,
make sure it's not lit.
And push off and get
yourself to bed.
Hey, you're not
usually up so late.
Louisa's back.
She's
in your office.
Ahem.
I wasn't, uh...
I didn't expect you
back so soon.
Obviously.
I, uh, had a few
friends in.
According
to these accounts,
you've signed half
the bar bills
for months
and given free meals
to every bleeding
sponger in London.
Oh. Hospitality, Louisa.
Oh, yeah?
You wanted to act
the big man, eh?
You've no right to
speak to him like that.
Right? You talk
to me about rights
when this hotel...
Not one bill's
been paid in!
Everything
I slaved for,
everything I earned
and gave you to put
in the bank
has been spent!
What the bleeding hell
have you been up to!?
I had to learn.
It's been difficult
with all...
Oh, no, not
for you, Gus!
Seems to me most
of it's gone down
you and your
friends' throats!
The rest of it has
gone on her back!
I tried. I tried.
If only you'd been
closer to me, Louisa.
You try to put
the blame on me.
Well, why not?
He gave up
everything for you.
He gave up
everything for me?
It's not the profession
for a gentleman.
A gentleman?
He's little better
than a thief!
He's the owner
of this hotel.
Owner,
I'll be damned!
I put him in here
to run it.
With your help,
he's run it
into the ground!
Are you gonna
let her speak
to your sister
like that?
Oh, get out!
Aah!
Go on! Get out,
both of you!
Go on!
Take your bitch of
a sister with you!
Get out! Go on!
Take her with you
and that rubbish!
Louisa, how can you run
the hotel without us?
The hotel can
go to hell!
And if either of you
show your faces
in here again,
I'll smash them in!
Aah!
Get out!
with the lobster?
Her ladyship
on her high horse again?
Shh!
Call this
a bleeding mayonnaise?
Well, I followed
that recipe you gave me
exactly, madam.
In a pig's ear.
It's curdled.
I'll tell you just
what went wrong.
The oil you used
was cold,
straight out
the pantry, right?
When it got
too thick,
you bunged in
some vinegar,
then more oil,
and beat it all up
together, right?
I was in a hurry.
I thought it would
save time.
You can save time
on most things,
not when you're
making a mayonnaise.
I did my best,
madam.
No, you didn't,
Mrs. Wellkin.
That's
the whole point.
Your mind wasn't
on it.
I'm sorry.
I'll be more careful
in future.
I'll pour it away.
Hold on.
Waste not, want not.
Fetch us an egg.
All right.
Now.
Ta.
Yep. One. Two.
Let me see
your cloth.
Ta.
Right.
Now slow and steady
does it,
and you can't
beat too hard.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Mrs. Wellkin and me,
we was wondering
if we could watch
the procession.
Eh?
The queen's
funeral procession, madam.
Ever so many kings
and princes and that
will be there.
Oh. You can go
and gawk
if you want to,
see her off.
Won't you be
watching, madam?
No. I take
no pleasure
in funerals.
It's the front
doorbell, ma'am.
Well, go and answer it
then, Ethel.
You know it's
Molly's night off.
Time to cool.
Here you are,
Mrs. Wellkin.
You beat that.
And add the rest
drop by drop.
And let's liven it
up a bit, eh?
Where's the lemon?
Won't you please
take a seat, major?
No, thank you.
May I offer you
a glass of port?
No, thank you,
Trotter.
As I said,
I was just passing.
Ah. Shocking news.
Yes, indeed.
It must have been
worse for you,
being so close
to her late majesty
in the household,
so to speak.
Yes. Of course,
the end had been expected
for some time,
but death always
takes us unaware.
Yes, I suppose
it does.
Good evening,
Mrs. Trotter.
Evening.
Major Farjeon was
just passing, my dear.
He's just looked in
for a minute.
It's always
a pleasure.
Well, I have one
or two little things
to attend to.
If you'll excuse me.
LOUISA:
How are you, Johnny?
Oh, sorry.
Sir John, isn't it,
since the new year?
Johnny will
still do fine.
Thought you'd still
be in the Isle of Wight.
I have been, yes,
but the lying in state
ends on Saturday,
and hi--his majesty
asked me to check
on the burial arrangements
at Windsor.
It takes a bit
of getting used to,
doesn't it?
His majesty.
King Edward, eh?
How is he?
He stood up to it
surprisingly well.
Of course, he's not
a young man.
He's waited longer than
anyone else in history
to become king,
nearly 60 years.
Yeah. I've heard him
say he waited so long
sometimes he hoped
it would never come.
Yes.
There are many
who hoped it wouldn't.
Well, they better
not say it near me.
Who are they anyway?
Who says that?
Oh, many in society
and in the government.
They see him only
as a man of pleasure.
They don't realize
how devoted he is
to his people
and country.
So he must be careful
not to give ammunition
to those who expect him
to be unworthy
of his high position,
and that is really
why I'm here.
He won't be calling
for a while, eh?
Not for the foreseeable
future.
Oh, come on, Johnny.
You don't have to go
all round the houses.
Let's have it
straight.
He asked me to say that
he will always cherish
the fondest memories
of your... kindness,
your friendship,
but in the new
circumstances,
the special relationship
between you
must regretfully
be considered as over.
So I won't
see him again.
Oh, no. No.
He hopes you will still
meet again as friends.
Why, the lease
of this house, of course,
is yours and all
the furniture and movables,
and if in the future
you're in any
financial difficulty...
Oh, no. He's been
kind enough already.
I don't want money.
Times change.
Remember, in case of need,
you can always call on him.
And now, please, don't
bother to show me out.
Thank you for making
my mission
so painless,
Mrs. Trotter.
Oh, yeah. Louisa
will still do fine,
and I hope we're
still friends, eh?
You know, Louisa,
after two weeks
of full mourning,
it's a blessed
relief to spend
a moment or two
with someone
as refreshing
as yourself.
You've been taking
lessons from him, Johnny.
Yes. Well,
if you'll collect
his things together,
I'll send a valet
round in the morning.
Well, old girl,
you tried all your life
to change him.
The only way you could do it
was by popping off.
So you're free?
Yeah.
I can't tell you
I've prayed for it.
Yeah. I'm relieved,
too, in a way.
Louisa,
if we could...
Not tonight, love.
We'll talk about it
some other time.
Not now.
I'll see you
in the morning.
Ahem. It was up
to Louisa.
She didn't, uh...
She didn't want
anything more from him.
I hope your settlement
was generous.
How much
did you get?
Uh, nothing.
Nothing?
You're too soft,
augustus.
That's always been
your trouble.
You should have
dealt with it.
You should have got
something out of it
to make up
for the humiliation.
You'll never
stand up for yourself.
Listen. Norah,
will you listen?
All I can feel is that
I'm glad it's over.
I have Louisa
to myself.
She's not the way
you think.
There's no one else
like her.
She's not fast
or flighty.
If she was, I wouldn't
have stuck it...
parties,
grand living,
all that sort
of thing.
She...she don't
care for them,
not for herself.
She's not after that,
nor money,
nor jewelry.
Then what is she
after?
I don't know.
I wish I did.
Even, well,
the other side of it,
she don't seem
to care much
for that either,
not even with him,
with a prince.
They're more
like pals.
Hear them laughing.
He could be natural
with her.
It didn't happen
very often,
and in between,
I was with her,
just the two of us.
But she was never
your wife.
What you know?
NORAH: Good morning, Louisa.
What brings you
round?
Surely I can visit
my own brother.
It seems to me
the last words
I heard you say was,
"I shall never darken
this doorstep again."
That's just Norah's way,
my dear.
That's how it is
in families.
It doesn't mean anything.
She has to speak
her mind, you see.
Oh. I see.
Well, let bygones
be bygones, eh?
I don't mind people
speaking their minds.
I've been known
to do it meself.
One thing,
I'll say, though,
when people
speak their minds,
I like them
to stick to it,
whatever it is.
And in future,
I see they do.
AUGUSTUS: The news from
the cape seems better.
Oh!
Kitchener has pushed
de Wet and his army
right back across
the Orange River.
Hooray!
Louisa's brother
Arthur's out there.
You must be longing
for him to come home.
Not much.
Boers can keep him
as far as I'm concerned.
No doubt he'll turn up
one of these days,
looking for a handout.
I was wondering
what you were
going to live on now.
Now?
This must be
an expensive house to run.
We'll manage.
But how?
If you ask my advice...
I never do when I know
I'll get it anyway.
You mind your business,
we'll mind ours.
And if you're stopping
for lunch,
I better make sure
there's something in.
Norah, please don't
leave, honest.
You married
beneath you.
You were one
of the youngest
butlers in the country,
highly thought of
in a fine position
with a great future.
She put an end
to that.
She dragged you down.
Well, you always were
too trusting.
One thing's clear.
If you are to have any hope
of leading
a normal married life,
you must put
your foot down.
There's the cod we was
gonna have tonight,
and there should be
enough
on that joint
of ham.
Yes, madam.
I could dice
some carrots and turnips
to go with it and some
veloute potatoes.
Plain boiled,
Mrs. Wellkin,
and make
a parsley sauce.
That will do fine.
Yes, madam.
Soup smells good.
Oh. It's Ethel's
making, madam.
She's keen to learn
cooking.
I hope you
don't mind.
Oh. I'd be the last
to do that.
How long was you
married?
Nearly 9 years,
madam.
In service together,
were you?
No. He was a regular
in the army.
His regiment was one
of the first
to be sent
to South Africa.
He died out there,
did he?
On the way.
He caught fever
on the troop ship.
He was dead before
they ever reached
Cape Town.
Do you miss him?
Yes, I do.
He was a good man,
very good to me.
Only thing missing
was children.
Just didn't seem
able to have any.
May be
just as well, eh?
Ethel, dice some
carrots, will you?
Oh, ma'am.
Yeah.
There's a person been
waiting to see you.
What kind of person?
Young. Servant girl,
sort of.
Where is she?
Walking up and down
in the street.
In this cold?
Why didn't you
bring her in?
She won't come in, ma'am.
Well, why didn't you
come up and tell me before?
I didn't like to.
I thought...
Well, go and get her now.
She must be
frozen to death.
LOUISA: Mary!
Why didn't you say
who you was?
Why didn't you come in?
Miss...
Here. What's up?
Come sit down, girl.
Now, sit down there.
Are you in some kind
of trouble?
You're frozen
to the bone, girl.
Not in the family way,
are you?
Did you get the push
from Lord Henry's?
No. I walked out,
ran away!
Oh, Mary, when?
Two days ago.
When did you
last eat, eh?
Yesterday.
You warm yourself.
Get us a bowl,
Ethel, quick.
Where you been
sleeping, eh?
Rough. Under
the railway arches,
but there's
awful people there.
I was afraid
to go back.
Why didn't you come
straight here?
I did.
I walked past
and hoped
you'd seen me.
I was afraid
to come in.
Oh. You silly herbert.
Here. Get yourself
around this.
Now mind, it's hot
as a jockey's breeches.
Now, take it slow.
Don't scald yourself.
I don't understand
why you didn't
just knock
at the door.
Ivy said you was
all different,
that you wouldn't want
to see anybody
you'd been
in service with.
Oh. Did she now?
She said you was
a grand lady
and you wouldn't want
to be reminded.
There's some
people I don't want
to be reminded of.
Poison Ivy's
one of them.
Miss, it's never
been the same
since you left,
you and Mr. Trotter.
They made me do
everything...
..washing, cleaning,
fetching, and carrying,
and Ivy hit me
for being slow,
and sometimes,
I got so tired...
And you didn't dare tell
Mrs. Catchpole, did you?
Oh, no, miss.
Oh, Mary.
I'm so glad she
came to you.
Poor girl.
I couldn't think
what had happened
to her.
And your kitchen maid
Ivy's been up
to her old tricks
again, Mrs. Catchpole.
Oh, dear.
What are you gonna
do about it?
What can I do?
I've not been well.
This house has been
so difficult to run
since you
and Mr. Trotter left,
and then
Monsieur Alex.
We've had a series
of cooks
on a month's trial
each,
two quite good
but only competent.
Oh, well, that's
enough of my worries.
Please do sit down.
I'm so glad things
worked out well for you.
I expect you were
provided for.
Mm. I have a house
in one of the best parts
of town,
servants look after me,
bit in the bank.
And a devoted
husband.
Yeah.
Most women
would envy you.
Well, they'd be wrong.
I knew it was wrong
from the start.
When I realized what was
behind all that attention,
all that special
sort of kindness
I had from the prince,
it's not that
I wasn't flattered.
I was--I was quite cocky
for a while,
but the price was
too high, Mrs. Catchpole.
Knowing the prince
must have,
well, helped you
professionally.
Helped me?
It's finished me.
I've become too exclusive,
ain't I?
"By royal appointment."
Nobody really thinks
of me as a cook no more,
and that's what I am.
I'm a master cook.
Yes.
And it's not
just the name.
It's not the big success
that makes your name.
It's going on
and building up
your reputation.
It's the doing of it,
the atmosphere,
the ingredients,
and the contrasts
and making everything
perfect.
What do I do now?
I order meals
for a husband
who don't much care
what's served up
in front of him
as long as it's on time.
It's driving me barmy.
Yes. I understand,
my dear.
Um, ahem, Lord Henry
is giving dinner
to the King of Portugal
next Tuesday.
He stayed on
for a private visit
after the funeral.
Old Carlos
is no problem.
He likes good,
no-frills English cooking
and lots of it.
You give him oyster soup,
halibut, lark pudding,
venison pasty,
3 kinds of roast,
and he's happy.
You see? Who else
could have known that?
Lord Henry will probably
get a decoration
out of it, you know.
And so might you
if you came back
and cooked dinner
for him
just for
the one night.
How many guests?
20.
Yeah. Tuesday's not
much notice, is it?
Here. We're forgetting
about why I come here.
What about Mary?
Say yes,
and I'll promise
she's taken back.
Don't worry.
I'll cook your dinner
for you,
and I'll keep Mary meself.
If I'm going back cooking,
I'm gonna need someone
to help me, ain't I?
You'll never believe
the change
in that place, Gus.
They've only really
learned
to appreciate you
in your absence.
Hmm.
It will be funny
being back
in the kitchen
at Lord Henry's,
where it all
started, eh?
I don't--I don't want
you to go there again.
Eh?
I won't have my wife
occupying
a menial position.
Oh.
I mean it, Louisa.
I won't--I won't have it.
Well, Mrs. Catchpole
only asked me
to do her
a favor, Gus.
Then she should
ask me.
Must I remind you
that you are my wife?
Do you think I have
to be reminded?
I haven't finished
talking.
I'm talking to you.
We have to discuss
our future.
Oh, not now.
Now! We keep
putting it off.
We can't put it off
any longer!
All right.
Let's hear
what Norah
had to say.
I knew I'd get it
sooner or later.
We have to take stock.
We have no income,
we live in a house
that's far
too big for us.
Do you want to
sell it?
No. Of course not.
It's our only asset,
all we got out of...
we should use it.
Oh, yeah? How?
In the most
sensible way.
Let the spare rooms.
Own a boarding house?
No, no, no.
Private rooms
for gentlemen.
You get all huffy
about me occupying
a menial position,
and you want to
let off our rooms
to strangers,
go skiving around
after them?
We have servants
to do that.
Don't you see?
It would give us
our independence,
a chance to keep up
our station in life.
Which do you fancy,
St. Pancras or Waterloo?
I'm serious
about this.
All right then.
Let's be practical.
Now how much would we
get out of letting
3 or 4 rooms?
Precious little.
There's no money
in it, Gus.
We budget carefully,
and we wouldn't need
Mrs. Wellkin
with you doing
the cooking.
Over my dead body!
What? Slaving away
in this place
day and night
for a handful
of moldy lodgers?
Look. I'd earn more
out of one booking night
at Lord Henry's
than we'd get out
of 10 lodgers
in a month.
You don't know you'll
get any bookings,
and this will be
regular, steady.
Norah says...
Well, Norah can go...
My sister is only
concerned for our welfare.
Welfare
my aunt Fanny.
She wants to know
you're good for a touch.
My sister is part
of my obligations.
My mother would
expect it.
I'm sick and tired
of hearing you and Norah
go on about
your great connections.
Can't even put
a name to them.
I'm sorry, love,
but if you want me
to face facts,
then you've got to
face them, too,
right?
I know it's
difficult for you.
You're a butler
by profession.
You can't very well
carry on a living
in your own home,
but it's different
for me, isn't it?
I'm a cook.
I can go anywhere,
and I'm willing
to work hard
with your help,
and we'll try and make
a go of it, eh?
I won't have you going
to other people's houses.
What do you mean?
Meeting other men.
They take advantage
at those house parties,
and women are
fair game.
I know what goes on.
I know what happens.
Do you think I'd
let it... ever again?
You're my wife.
Oh! You keep
doing that.
Scares the life
out of me.
Don't you ever knock?
Sorry. I'm sorry.
I had to...
I had to see you
to apologize.
I didn't mean
to imply...
I wanted to say that
we're just starting,
everything is just
starting now.
The past, it's over.
I draw a veil
over it.
What do you expect
me to say?
"How decent,
how generous"?
I'm prepared
to forgive.
You're offering me
forgiveness?
You're prepared
to forgive me?
You knew what was
gonna happen, Gus,
as well as I did.
I married you.
I was married
off to you
to make me available
to him.
I wanted you.
I'd have done
anything,
anything to get you,
anything.
I just wanted
to be with you.
You knew how
it would be,
and I fought against it,
didn't I?
I kept waiting,
hoping.
No one will believe
what it's been like
never knowing
when it would end.
I thought maybe once
he had let you go
we'd have a chance,
we'd be together.
Well, we are.
I mean,
really together,
man and wife.
I thought maybe,
all this time,
maybe you'd get
to like me a little,
maybe be ready
to settle down,
maybe realize
I could make you happy,
and I could, Louisa.
I know I could
make you happy.
We get along fine.
Nothing's changed.
I don't mean it
like that.
I want you, Louisa.
But we had
a bargain, Gus.
I told you straight
I didn't love you.
I still don't.
I'm fond of you, love.
I don't belong to you
or no one.
If things is gonna
change between us,
it will only happen
gradual.
How long do I
have to wait?
I can't say that.
We'll have to see.
It's no good unless
you stay at home.
If you're gonna go
working out
in other people's
houses,
I won't be able
to stand it...
There's not gonna be
no one else.
I'll never know
that for sure.
You're so precious
to me, Louisa.
I'm jealous.
God help me,
I get so jealous.
Here, Gus.
I love you.
Try to...
try to love me.
You're kind
to everyone.
Be kind to me.
Steady.
Let me. Please!
Be kind to me.
Gus, let go of me!
I want you.
It's my right.
I've waited.
No!
Gus, let go!
Just this once.
Just now, please.
Ohh!
It can't mean
that much to you.
I'm your husband.
It's my right.
You can force me, Gus.
You're stronger than me,
but if you do,
it will be the only time.
You'll never
see me again.
Well, the dinner
was a triumph,
thanks to you.
His lordship was ill
all yesterday.
Ill?
He couldn't let
his principal guest
eat alone,
but King Carlos
had so many
helpings,
his lordship nearly
passed out.
Still, he asked me
to thank you
most particularly.
I won't beat about
the bush, Louisa.
His lordship was
overjoyed to hear
that you were
available again,
and he's asked me
to offer you
the position
as cook here
at the same salary
we paid Monsieur Alex.
I...now don't think
I'm not grateful...
Now don't refuse till
you think about it.
He'd expect you
to work for him
only during
the season.
The rest of the year
you'll be free.
And he's prepared to
take Mr. Trotter back
as his London butler
on the same terms,
living out.
Blimey O'Reilly!
You'll want time
to think about it,
of course.
No. No.
It's a generous...
it's a more than
generous offer,
and I am tempted,
but, well, you see,
Mrs. Catchpole,
if I'm ever gonna make
a real go of my career,
I can't work
for just one person.
I wouldn't be me.
I'd be Lord Henry's
cook, wouldn't I?
I can't go backwards.
I was afraid
you'd say that.
Of course, I don't know
that anyone else
is gonna want me.
Oh. I've had some
inquiries.
Lady Padgett's
housekeeper asked
if you were
available again.
Lady Padgett?
And several
of the people
who were here
for the dinner
for Dom Carlos.
I've made a list.
Sir Ernest Castle,
Admiral Fisher.
Crikey! There's half
the brass here.
There you go.
What the bleeding hell
is this, eh?
It's obvious, isn't it?
I've decided to go ahead.
Oh. You have,
have you?
It makes sense!
Our savings won't
last forever.
We need a regular income
to keep our heads
above water.
We're not in
the bleeding navy.
We've already
discussed this idea
and decided
against it.
You decided.
"Rooms
for gentlemen."
Discreet, Louisa.
Only for the best people.
Out! Out!
We'll ring you
when you're wanted.
Now, see here!
Don't you
"See here" me.
I don't understand
what you're objecting to.
That's what worries
me, Gus.
Always on
about your dignity,
your position
in life.
When you start putting
signs like that up,
you're throwing it
away.
I want us to be
independent.
You was ambitious,
ready to work, you were.
Now you won't lift
a bleeding finger.
This whole idea is
a way for you
to sit at home
and do nothing.
But that's what
I want.
I want us to be here
together.
Gus, I've told you.
I'm starting up
me business again.
I've asked you to
help me run it.
I'm not
a kitchen hand.
Oh, come on.
There's other ways
you could help,
and me prospects
are looking up now.
You're a good cook,
Louisa,
there's no denying that,
but it's time you learned
how to be a housewife!
I'm not
an housewife,
nor an housekeeper,
nor an house anything,
and let me tell you,
when my business
really gets going,
it's going to bring in
50 or 60 quid
a week,
and that goes straight
into the bank
for you and me,
for the both of us.
£60?
Yes, and we don't
need to let rooms
because I deal with
the real best people,
and some of them
are gonna come here
to consult me
to make bookings,
which is another
reason why
I don't want this
staring them
in the face.
Put that where
the monkey put the nuts!
LOUISA: Hurry up
with them sauces, Mrs. Wellkin.
The cab will be here
in a minute.
Yes, madam.
All right. You got
everything in there, Mary?
Yes, ma'am.
Good. Well, we're
just about ready.
Don't know how we
managed it all in here.
There's a limit
to how much
we can make
and take with us.
Need a bigger
kitchen, madam.
Yeah. That we do.
Right. Now, Mary,
you take the implements,
Mrs. Wellkin, you take
the sauces,
and both of you
manage the hamper.
Yes, madam.
What--what about
the master?
Oh. Left something
cold for him.
Hang it.
Where's the patties?
I'll fetch them, ma'am.
They're in the pantry.
Oh, thank you,
Ethel.
I could carry them
out to the cab, as well.
Oh, would you?
There's a good girl.
Please, ma'am, I could
do so much more.
I've been watching
how you do things.
In your own time, eh?
Oh, please, ma'am,
please.
I've heard you say
you need
another pair
of hands.
Well, I know there's
a lot to learn,
but I am quick
and...
Ethel, turn round.
Slowly.
Yeah. You're not
bad-looking.
Quite presentable.
If you could pick up
a bit of style
and control yourself,
I might be able to use you.
Oh, ma'am. Oh, ta
ever so, ma'am.
I mean, thank you,
Mrs. Trotter.
Blimey. Here. Come on.
Here's the cab. Right.
But you're not coming
with us tonight, Ethel.
When you're working
other people's houses,
they watch you
extra critical.
Don't want any of my girls
showing herself up.
You start with the basics
like Mary
tomorrow morning
6:00 sharp.
Any idea where
Mr. Trotter is?
He's at the pub, ma'am,
The Grenadier.
This early?
Shall I fetch him?
No, no. Leave him.
I've been going
through the mail, ma'am.
There's some bookings
for the month after next.
Oh. Right.
Oh! This one's
for the 14th.
"Could you quote
for a dinner party of 36,
wines included?
Lady Bee-u-champ."
"Bee-u-champ?
Beauchamp!"
My God.
"Bee-u-champ." right.
The Marquess of Thorne.
Yeah? What's
the randy old beggar
want this time?
He's willing to pay out
200 guineas
for a private supper
for two.
Oh. I think he wants you
to be the other guest, ma'am.
"100 guin...private,
own apartment,
"6 delicious
courses,
and a bum surprise
to follow."
I'll give him
a surprise all right.
Nice to see you,
Johnny.
A very great pleasure
to see you.
You're as lovely
as ever.
Thank you, kind sir.
What brings you
round?
Oh. I was just passing.
Somehow, whenever
you say that,
I get a very funny
feeling.
Heh heh.
What's up?
Don't tell me I'm
gonna expect a visit.
No. No.
Nothing like that.
So you were just
passing, eh?
Take a pew.
Thank you.
Everyone in London
seems to be talking
about your cooking.
An astonishing
success.
Yeah. It's working
out pretty well.
Yes.
Is Mr. Trotter at home?
No. No. He's...he's
out this morning.
Most mornings,
I gather,
and evenings.
It's about him, actually,
that I rather
wanted to see you.
Oh?
Word has reached
the palace
that your husband spends
much of the day
in a public house
near here
and that after he's
had a drink or two
he starts talking
about things
he shouldn't.
Oh, my God.
Now apparently,
it's not really malicious.
It's partly boasting,
partly feeling
sorry for himself.
He'll tell anyone
who will listen
how his life has been
ruined.
Now so far,
the king hasn't heard,
but if he does...
His majesty is completely
discreet himself,
and he demands discretion
from others.
He knows I wouldn't
do nothing to hurt him,
and neither would Gus,
not meaning to.
I admit I have
a certain sympathy
for Trotter,
and I realize
this puts you
in a very difficult position,
but if the greatest
possible damage
is not to be done,
you must find a way
to stop him.
No. I'm afraid not,
my dear.
It was only
a little while ago
you said Lord Henry was
keen to take him back.
Yes, but not
without you.
It was really you
he wanted.
Thank you, James.
Well, you know
the situation.
I'll be honest with you,
Mrs. Catchpole,
I don't know what to do.
I'm desperate.
It must be dreadful
for you.
No. It's not me.
I don't matter so much.
It's the palace.
Think what some
of them scandal papers
could make of it.
Well, you must speak
to Mr. Trotter,
warn him.
Ta.
I don't seem able
to talk to him no more.
He gets on his dignity,
and when I do try
and lay down the law,
it only makes him worse.
He's been hurt
very badly,
as well as the fact
that he hasn't
worked at anything
since he left here,
been living off you.
He must have lost all
belief in himself.
I've asked him
to take over
and run me business
for me.
He won't hear of it.
Oh, no, no, no.
That would make you
his employer.
Ta.
He'd be all
the more conscious
of his own failure.
Well, I am fond of him,
and, you know,
I'm sorry for him, like,
but it's no good
if he won't even try.
I think you have
the answer.
He has to be given
back
his self-respect
and pride
by having work
and responsibility.
I only wish I could
think of some way
to help.
"Partner in dairy.
"Capital investments
and shared profits,
"Hotels and catering.
Receptionist,
day and night porter."
No. "Bentinck.
"Long established
family hotel for sale.
"Excellent position,
permanent residence,
"small experienced staff.
Present owner retiring."
Permanent residence, eh?
"Lease and content
subject to negotiation.
Extensive
fully equipped kitchens."
Right.
Here's
the old Bentinck.
What do you think
of it?
Nice class
of premises.
How'd you like
to run it then?
Us?
No. You.
You'd be the boss.
Want to have a look?
MAN: Go on. Go on.
You've bought it?
60 years left
on a 90-year lease,
contents,
and the goodwill.
The man made us
a very good price.
I think he was taken
with Louisa.
How could you
afford it?
Where did the money
come from?
Well, we've
worked it all out...
what was left
of our savings,
what I've earned
these last few months,
what we'll get from
selling this place.
We can afford it.
Signed the papers
this morning.
And Gus is gonna
manage it.
Well, naturally
with his experience.
What will you
be doing?
Looking after
the kitchens,
running me own
business,
and Gus will
take care
of everything else.
The best hotel
in London.
I intend to see
that it is.
Yeah. Need a deal
of modernizing.
Well, we need to learn
to walk before we can run.
Of course, I shall
ask you to assist me.
Norah?
Well, I shall need
someone I can trust.
I shall want Norah
to be housekeeper.
Well, I've said it.
You make
the decisions.
LOUISA: Right.
Come on, girls.
Good morning!
Morning.
What are you doing
down here, Jessop?
Aren't you meant to be
the hall porter?
Well, yes, ma'am.
Get up into the hall
and port.
Here you are,
Mrs. Wellkin.
Here's your kitchen.
Do the best you can.
Shout for me
if you want me.
We'll work out
the menus together.
Yes, madam.
Right. Come on, girls.
Roll your sleeves up.
Get this place ready.
It's a bit
old-fashioned.
What do you mean?
Plenty of space.
Aah!
Oh, God.
Oh. Turkey.
Wild turkey
coming?
Yeah. Yeah.
The turkey
are coming.
They're
on their way.
Oh, good. Ohh.
Huh? Huh?
Mr. Merriman.
This is
Mr. Merriman.
He's the Bentinck's
head waiter.
Mr. Merriman,
this is me staff.
Nice
to meet you.
All right. Come on.
Get to work.
Deal to do to get
this place cleaned up.
I'll say.
Broken-down old dump.
Meals were cooked
in this kitchen
for Gladstone,
young woman.
He was a bit
broken-down, I know.
LOUISA: Ethel.
Excuse me.
Come on.
There you are.
He sort of goes
with the hotel.
I inherited him.
He's better
than he looks.
What was all that
about the turkey?
Oh. I've been warned.
Every now and then
he wakes up,
thinks he's still
in the Crimea.
He says he was
Lord Raglan's batman.
It's possible.
Women running
the kitchen.
It will end in tears,
end in tears.
I go away
for only two days,
and I come back here
and find Mrs. Wellkin
all upset
and ready to leave.
All I did was
send back her menus.
You what?
It seemed to me that
with only 16 guests
in the hotel,
they were
needlessly extravagant.
Well, that was none
of your concern, was it,
and in any case,
she'd agreed them with me.
I would have thought
that even you
would have realized the need
to economize at first.
The last thing
we want to economize on
is the service
we give.
There are dozens
of small savings
we can make.
Augustus agrees.
We can use the extra money
to redecorate this office.
Well, in my opinion,
it would be better used
in trying to brighten up
that hall.
That's none
of your concern, is it?
Any such decision is
up to Augustus.
All right,
but I'll have
no more interference
in my kitchen.
Louisa's right,
in a way.
She will go on playing
the great cook.
All she thinks about
are her precious kitchens.
She appears to forget
that you run this hotel
and that I am
the housekeeper.
Oh, Jessop, have
Merriman bring me
a bottle
of champagne.
Champagne, sir?
Yes. The Krug '92.
Krug '92.
Certainly, sir.
MERRIMAN: Trouble.
Trouble brewing, ma'am.
Knew it all along.
Trouble?
What do you mean?
Couple of more guests
left this morning.
Staff thinks
if any more go,
shutters will go up
and they'll all be out
on the street.
Now, listen here,
the lot of you.
This hotel is gonna be
a success.
It's gonna make
its reputation
on its cuisine, right?
10 guests or 100,
they get the best
bleeding meals in London.
We'll be turning away
visitors in 6 months,
and my business is growing
all the time.
So whatever happens,
you're not gonna be out of.
You'll be treated fair,
and there's gonna be
no sackings,
and that's my guarantee.
Right?
Very good, ma'am.
Now you've got lunch
to get ready.
Carry on.
And the menus stay
the same as we arranged,
Mrs. Wellkin.
Yes, madam.
Ethel, you'll take over
the preparations
for the German Embassy
dinner.
Yes, ma'am.
Mary, you come with me
to Hertfordshire.
Mrs. Trotter.
I...I've been meaning
to say,
the kitchen
at the embassy,
last time we had
ever so much trouble
keeping things hot,
and when there's
50 or more places...
Yeah. That's a problem
we keep running into.
I've been thinking
about it.
We're gonna use
hay boxes.
Hay boxes?
When I was a kid
at home, we used to put
the porridge overnight
into hay boxes.
Porridge? Are we
gonna make porridge?
No, you silly herbert.
It's the process,
isn't it?
You start it
in a big iron pot,
then you put the pot
in a box of straw overnight,
and in the morning,
it had cooked
nice and slow
in its own heat.
For bouillons, fricassee,
and such, perfect!
If you say so,
ma'am.
Yeah. I'm having
a load of boxes
delivered tomorrow.
We'll try it out
on the kaiser's nephew.
Oh, excuse me, madam.
A letter for you.
Lady Freel.
Countess.
Ah. Come in,
my dear chaps.
Don't believe it.
We're at Newmarket.
Oh, Jessop, have
Merriman bring us up
a bottle of brandy.
Certainly, sir.
Come into the office.
Wine with dinner.
Now brandy.
LOUISA:
Lower them in gently.
In you go.
Gently, for God's sake.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Mr. Trotter, he
wants dinner for 6
in his room.
What, at this time
of night?
His personal guests,
ma'am,
a few
sporting gentlemen.
It will take
a bit of time.
Now mind you don't
get them mixed up, Mary.
There's a soup of game
and a veal fricassee
for Richmond
and bœuf à la mode
and the oyster soup
for Grosvenor Street.
Oh. Hay boxes, eh?
They'll work,
Mr. Merriman.
Oh, I know it, ma'am.
I've seen the turkey cook
rat stew in them
in the Crimea.
Rat stew?
Oh, it's very tasty,
a nice rat.
Eh.
Mrs. Trotter said
we got to know how
to set out
the places.
I got it wrong
last night,
and there was
hell to pay.
Eh.
Sure that's right?
Study the menu.
Lay for
the first course
on the outside,
work your way in.
Simplest way
stands to reason.
Never thought of that. Ta.
Yeah.
You're late tonight.
Uh, Mr. Trotter's
entertaining
a few friends.
Oh, yeah?
Something wrong?
He's asked
for the keys
to the wine cellars,
ma'am.
There's a lot
of rare wines in there,
and as head waiter,
I'm responsible,
always have been,
and, uh, he wants
the keys.
Well, he's the manager.
He better have them.
Very good, ma'am.
So his lordship bet them
that none of them
would say hello to him
the following morning
when he rode down
rotten row.
They all said of course
that they would
and took him on
for 50 guineas.
Next morning,
they were all there,
so his lordship just
carriages a few horsemen
and an old
hackney cab.
When the hackney reaches
the end of the row,
the cabby stands up,
takes off his hat,
his muffler,
and his coat,
and it's his lordship!
And they all owed him
50 guineas!
Very good,
very good.
Ohh! Ha ha!
Keys, sir.
You took your time.
There we are.
What did I tell you?
Keys to a fortune
in claret, port,
rare brandy,
and champagne!
Hey, hey!
Oh, thank you,
Merriman.
Keep you going.
Ohh.
You'll wear yourself
out, ma'am.
Begging your pardon,
but is it worth it
just for money?
It's worth it for what
money can buy.
I'm gonna clear
all this lot out,
get in the most
up-to-date equipment.
That's what I'm
working for.
Every penny
goes towards it.
This is gonna be
the best kitchen in England,
and I'm gonna use it
to create the dishes
that no one's ever
dreamt about.
Yes, ma'am.
Right. I'm off then.
Where to?
I told you...
house parties
after the season.
Doncaster,
up to Hamilton,
back down to Anglesey.
How long will you
be gone?
About 3 weeks.
I'll miss you.
Go on.
You've got Norah.
Don't laugh at me.
I'll miss you.
Gus, how many times
have I come looking for you
these last months?
You're never here.
Ain't even asked
after me.
Well, I've been
busy making contacts
for the future.
Good. That's good.
And I've asked
for the checks
to be sent
direct to you.
AUGUSTUS: What do
you mean you object
to the service?
It's a privilege,
a privilege for you
to be allowed
to stay here!
Oh, but you're
ridiculous.
Your bill's canceled.
Get out! Get out!
What are you
doing there?
If you have duties
to attend to, see to them.
Otherwise, clear off.
Here we are.
Oh, lord.
We weren't expecting you
back till tomorrow, madam.
Eh, we found we
could catch
the afternoon train.
Oh, good evening, ma'am.
Evening.
Where is everybody?
My God,
Mrs. Wellkin,
what in the bleeding
hell is this?
Thought I told you
never to get anything
but the best quality
poultry.
Anything else is a waste
of time and money.
They were the best
I could get, madam.
Rubbish. Mather and Russ
don't even sell stuff
of that quality.
We don't shop there
anymore.
They won't give us
no more credit.
No more credit?
Why?
I went round to see
Mr. Mather himself.
Seems our bills
haven't been paid
for several months.
Months?
Tradesmen have only
been supplying us
on your reputation,
madam,
but not anymore.
Not as much point,
seeing as hardly anyone
to cook for.
There's only two guests
left in the hotel, ma'am,
and they're friends
of Mr. Trotter.
What's going on?
Your ruination,
that's what.
What do you mean?
Staff walked out because
they've not been paid.
Guests followed
because there's no one
to look after them.
Only Mr. Jessop and me
left upstairs...ruination.
I wouldn't leave till
you'd come back, madam.
Well, what about
Ethel?
She was turned out
last week.
That Miss Trotter said
she'd have to go back
to being a general maid.
She refused.
Where is
Miss Trotter?
Lying down,
as is her wont.
And Mr. Trotter?
Cafe Royal,
I suppose.
Dines there
most evenings.
Does he now?
Right. Mary, you come
with me.
Here.
Here. Where do you
think you're going?
There's nobody allowed
in there.
Is that so?
I'm sorry, but I work
for Mr. Trotter,
and he said to make sure
that nobody goes in there.
Well, you just try
and stop me.
Oh, my heavens.
Oh, my God!
Here. Where does he
keep the account books?
Mary, see if you can
find the cash box.
It ain't possible.
It ain't possible.
How much?
7 pounds, 6 shillings,
and 4 pence, ma'am.
Well, that's all
we got left
in the world, Mary.
Here. Take that
downstairs.
Put it in one
of the ovens.
For God's sake,
make sure it's not lit.
And push off and get
yourself to bed.
Hey, you're not
usually up so late.
Louisa's back.
She's
in your office.
Ahem.
I wasn't, uh...
I didn't expect you
back so soon.
Obviously.
I, uh, had a few
friends in.
According
to these accounts,
you've signed half
the bar bills
for months
and given free meals
to every bleeding
sponger in London.
Oh. Hospitality, Louisa.
Oh, yeah?
You wanted to act
the big man, eh?
You've no right to
speak to him like that.
Right? You talk
to me about rights
when this hotel...
Not one bill's
been paid in!
Everything
I slaved for,
everything I earned
and gave you to put
in the bank
has been spent!
What the bleeding hell
have you been up to!?
I had to learn.
It's been difficult
with all...
Oh, no, not
for you, Gus!
Seems to me most
of it's gone down
you and your
friends' throats!
The rest of it has
gone on her back!
I tried. I tried.
If only you'd been
closer to me, Louisa.
You try to put
the blame on me.
Well, why not?
He gave up
everything for you.
He gave up
everything for me?
It's not the profession
for a gentleman.
A gentleman?
He's little better
than a thief!
He's the owner
of this hotel.
Owner,
I'll be damned!
I put him in here
to run it.
With your help,
he's run it
into the ground!
Are you gonna
let her speak
to your sister
like that?
Oh, get out!
Aah!
Go on! Get out,
both of you!
Go on!
Take your bitch of
a sister with you!
Get out! Go on!
Take her with you
and that rubbish!
Louisa, how can you run
the hotel without us?
The hotel can
go to hell!
And if either of you
show your faces
in here again,
I'll smash them in!
Aah!
Get out!