The Paradise (2012–2013): Season 2, Episode 3 - Episode #2.3 - full transcript

(ALL GASPING)

Oh, Mama. She's almost
as beautiful as you.

But see, she comes to us
only in her underclothes.

- We must attend to her wardrobe.
- Are we to take her to Ladieswear, then?

What a splendid notion.
She deserves nothing but the best.

And I am confident that,
despite Miss Audrey's departure,

her department will remain
the jewel in the crown.

Do you not think, Denise?

Yes, ma'am. I hope so.

You are quite the anomaly, Clara.

You do not gasp in wonder
with the rest of your sex.



Well, it would take more than a toy
to make me gasp, sir.

- Was ever a child so adored?
- Was ever a child so spoiled?

An entire wardrobe in miniature
ordered from ladieswear? What a farce.

You might want to revise that opinion

if you're to apply for
Miss Audrey's post,

seeing as Flora's parents own the store.

Who said I was applying for anything?

Walter, in the bays.
He was offering odds.

Six-to-1 for you, 4-to-1 on Denise.

- They're betting on us?
- I was scandalised when I heard.

Who cares about that? What I want to
know is what about the works outing?

We missed it last year
when Mr Moray was away,

so it stands to reason we're due a
double helping of pleasure this year.

How do you even do that?
It's like you were born sweating smut.



Hey, I heard it was the waxworks one
year. Oh, I'd die to see the waxworks.

They could put 10 guinea behind the bar
at The Three Crowns and I'd be happy.

As it so happens, I believe I have
a notion of Moray's plans.

Oh, the music hall!

Last year, the staff had to forego
their outing.

This year, we shall make it up to them.

If you're sure the music hall
is the right choice.

One week only, Dudley.
We'd be fools to miss it.

I mean, this hall does tend
towards the improper.

Dudley, the staff are daily served food

by a woman who cannot put a pudding
on a plate without innuendo.

After life with Myrtle, I doubt any
of us have sensibilities left to offend.

You'd never have dared suggesting it
if Miss Audrey was still with us.

But she's not, Dudley. She's not.

Close early for a staff outing?

Out of the question.

With profits so low, I'm surprised you
even think to suggest it.

With respect, profits are rising.

And the annual outing is not
a mere indulgence.

Every member of our staff is an asset.

And it's taken time and care
to train them, to teach them.

If they leave us,
we lose not just a colleague

but the investment we've made in them.

We cannot compete with the wages
offered by industry,

so we must work in other ways to make
ourselves the employer of choice.

-"Must"?
- Well, this is something we've always...

Oh, God's blood, man. You bandy
about that "we" as if you were royalty.

There is no "we".
There is only myself and my wife

and you, our employee.

And the music hall, Moray,
it is fearfully vulgar, you know.

How goes the search
for a new head of ladieswear?

Several applications
have already been submitted.

Oh, must the process be so formal?

Can't we simply appoint one of the girls
already in the department?

- Clara, for example.
- Really, darling,

we can't simply promote every female
that catches your eye.

The entire store would
be run by pert brunettes.

And one might imagine that fingers so
recently burnt would still be smarting.

Besides, if anyone has proved themselves
deserving of the advancement,

surely it is Denise.

DUDLEY: As we have advertised
the post, we must follow protocol.

May I suggest the first interviews
at the end of the week?

By all means.
Let due process be observed.

And may the best man win.

Gentlemen.

I have the disquieting sensation
I'm caught up in a war,

the causes and objectives of which
I can only guess at.

I believe, Dudley, that is
the definition of cannon fodder.

I'm sorry, madam, only members of staff
are allowed to adjust the displays.

But if there's anything I
can help you with?

Quick, go after her. See if she picks up
an application form from the office.

- Clara...
- Oh, don't.

I know what you're going to say.

"Better one of us, never mind which,
than someone like her."

Well, I'm afraid if it came
to a choice between you

and some crone
with a bad smell under her nose

and a mouth pursed up like a cat's arse,

I'd still pick her.

Because the truth is I cannot bear
to have you chosen over me again.

And if you believe you'd
feel differently,

you don't even begin to know yourself.

Denise, I have just seen the jay
in the street, flying towards the river.

I'll take my break now while it's quiet.

Since when did Denise care for birds?

Oh, don't perjure yourself.

Was there ever anything
as insufferable as true love?

Denise.

Sometimes I think when I'm dead,
this will be heaven.

Me walking toward this bridge
and you standing here, waiting.

You have a maudlin cast of mind.
I've often noted it.

And what else have you noted?

That you've not yet submitted
an application for head of ladieswear.

I have not yet had time.

Don't.

There is trouble between
Katherine and her husband.

He favours Clara for the position

because he favours Clara.
Katherine champions you.

You're both pawns in their game.
That is not a safe thing to be.

Will you be talking to Clara?

- Will you tell her not to apply?
- I do not love Clara.

Denise, you said so yourself,
we must tread carefully.

All of our efforts must go
to winning back The Paradise.

If Miss Audrey had not left,

if... Things might have been different.

But now that she has, I cannot quiet
this hunger that's awoken in me.

I have such a passion, john.
I burn to take this position.

The thought that I must
stand aside, not even try...

Have you never longed for something
so desperately

you could think of nothing else?

Yes. You.

Sweetheart, is it really so hard to
wait when in a year, maybe months,

The Paradise will be ours?

Not just ladieswear, everything.

Call me that name again.

It will keep me steady.

Sweetheart.

Sweetheart.

Sweetheart.

You have come all the way from Paris,
so I must teach you English.

In that case, you must improve your own.

The doll has not come, but been brought.

Yes, Papa.

- Where is Paris, Flora?
- In France.

- And where is France?
- Across the sea.

Which sea?

The...

- Atlantic.
- You confuse France with America.

Perhaps it's understandable,

all those revolutions.

Who discovered America?

- Christopher Columbus.
-When?

- A long time ago.
- Oh, yes, I should think it was.

A very long time ago.

A fearfully long time ago.

-1066?
- Well, heavens,

how can anyone be expected to remember
anything when you look at them so?

I'm sure if your papa had been
so fierce with me at the altar,

I should have forgotten my own name.

- Goodnight, my darling.
- Goodnight, Mama.

Goodnight, Father.

Her ignorance is deplorable.

It is late. She is tired.

And you are so stern.

Is it your back?

Does it trouble you?

I could send the servants away,
wait upon you myself.

It is not my wounds that gall me,
Katherine.

Today, in The Paradise,
how dare you speak to me as you did?

I? I have offended?

KATHERINE: We had an agreement.
Lock horns with Moray if you must,

but you will not seek to crush him

and you will not flaunt
your indiscretions for the world to see.

You imagine me your puppet?

You think I don't see how
you scheme and manoeuvre?

How your eyes never leave one person?

- I have told you he is nothing to me.
- It is not Moray your eyes follow.

It is Denise.

And it is not love that draws
you on but something noxious.

You wish to punish her.

Why?

Because he chose her over you.

Oh, you watch her
as a cat watches a bird,

hoping that circumstance will present
you with an opportunity to pounce.

And in the meantime,
you work for her advancement.

Because the higher she is raised,
the further she will have to fall.

You are ridiculous.

Whatever your purpose in promoting
Denise's interests, I promise you,

if you ever again seek to humiliate
me before other men...

Oh, believe me,
I make no effort in that front.

You do the job so thoroughly yourself.

I am sorry.

I am tired.

I've been thinking about Flora.

Her ignorance appals me.

I intend to engage a governess.

The attic will be converted
to a schoolroom.

An end to idleness and indulgence,

to shopping

and dolls.

No outing? No outing?

Only that Mr Weston feels
that in the current climate...

Current climate be buggered.

How often does he think I get
to savour a treat like that?

One sole and solitary day a year

to take my place in the world
and enjoy my leisure like a lady.

I have a tippytoes to wear.

What was it to have been, Mr Dudley?

Was it the music hall? Was it?

I cannot say.

Moray would have took us
to the music hall,

and that miserable bugger
has forbade him.

I swear, I will make him pay for this.

I will cut out his heart
and serve it up on a platter.

Remind me to start taking
my meals at The Three Crowns.

Denise, I've been thinking. About your
application for Miss Audrey's job...

- Sam.
- Now, it strikes me that the one thing

-that she had that you do not...
- Sam.

...is a motto.

- Sam! I've decided not to apply.
- Not to apply?

If anyone was born to fill
Miss Audrey's shoes, it is you.

You, of course,
have it with Walter's odds.

I'll have to move Myrtle
from 50040-1 to 499.

500? 500 to bloody one?

You know, I've been wracking me brains
why you might choose not to apply

for head of ladieswear.

And there's only one thing
I can think of.

Are you in trouble?

Because if you are, you have
to make him stand by you, Denise.

Hold him to his promises.
I'll talk to him, if you can't do it...

No, Clara. No. It's not that.

It's complicated, but it's not that.

Well, I would ask,
but you're not going to say.

Are you?

Look, I won't change anything, you know,

if it's me that gets the job.
Not a thing.

But there's so much more
we could do here.

This could be a department
like no other.

A store no one's ever been to before.
Not even a shop any more.

It could be a...fantasy.

This isn't life, Denise,
it's work. Only work.

- How did they take it?
- Most of them disappointed.

Myrtle murderous.

Weston! He punishes them through me.

No, he punishes you through them.

He is a man who sees
where the tender places are

and lands the blow accordingly.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr Moray, sir.

Might I have a moment of your time?

I'll be in the office.

Denise.

Tell me again what it will be like
when The Paradise is ours.

Tell me again why I must stand aside.

-What's happened?
- Clara is...

(SIGHS)

...my friend.

But to her, head of Ladieswear
is only a job.

To me, it would be a chance
to grow, to breathe, to live.

It...will...

be...worth it.

We are playing for bigger stakes.
We must set aside lesser considerations.

- Lesser considerations?
- It's only one department.

Besides, perhaps this advancement
would not have been in our interests.

If, as you believe, Katherine is not
as accepting of the situation,

of us, as she would pretend,

any failure on your part would only
give her ammunition to use against us.

- You imagine I would fail?
- Everyone fails. That is how we learn,

by making mistakes.

Most of us do so privately.
You would not have that luxury.

You're too visible, too known.

Your association with me
is a public secret.

You would be scrutinised and judged
from the moment you took on the role.

Failure. Mistakes.

Do you even believe me capable
of filling Miss Audrey's shoes?

I think you are my little champion
but this is a big step up.

- Do not speak to me as if I am a child!
- Denise!

We are receiving applications
not just from this city but beyond.

I have never known competition
as fierce!

(SIGHING) Look.

You know that you astonish me,
that your ideas astonish me.

But being head of ladieswear
requires more than ideas.

You're bowing out of a fight
you may have lost anyway.

Is that really such a sacrifice?

It is to me.

I would like to make an application
for the position of head of ladieswear.

Denise. I thought
you'd changed your mind.

I've changed it back again.

MORAY". As you know, we have all week

been taking applications for the post
vacated by Miss Audrey.

You should take it as a personal
compliment to yourselves

that so many talented

and highly experienced candidates
have applied to join your number.

All submissions are now in and we'll
presently be drawing up a shortlist.

Successful candidates will be invited
to The Paradise for interview.

Thank you.

Those two are going to give themselves
neck strain not looking at each other.

All right there, lads?
You have any bets?

Walter!

You are running a book.

Odds are given on who will be appointed
head of ladieswear.

I should like to place a bet.

10 shillings.

On Myrtle.

Arthur, you're wondering why
I choose to throw away 10 shillings.

Myrtle hasn't even applied for the job.

The only reason Walter was offering odds
is because the thought of her

taking over from Miss Audrey made
everyone laugh so.

How do you suppose it feels
to be the joke that everyone gets?

What if there were to be
a gesture made?

10 shillings that said he considered
Myrtle the equal of anything and anyone.

It would make her feel better.

But only if she heard about it.

WESTON". So, how do we progress?

When all applications are read,

it is for each of you to put forward
the name or names of those

you feel merit an interview.

Thank you.

We have a shortlist of four.

If our business is concluded,
I should see to Flora.

How would you like me to respond
to the candidates

who have not been so fortunate
as to make the shortlist?

WESTON: Thank them for their interest.

Tell them we'll be happy to
consider them for future positions.

Mr Franks, why is it that
whenever I see you,

I have the impression
that you're watching me?

I have told you.

I have trained myself to know men.

To know when a man is
worth the following.

To also know
when the tide of history is changing

and inclining towards a new favourite.

To find oneself of use,
of service to such a man,

would be a very great privilege.

(ALL TALKING, INDISTINCT)

Oh, Mama, look.

Excuse me.

She looks lovely. You both do.

- Oh!
- Sorry, Mrs Weston.

Arthur,

Mrs Weston has taken faint.

Please deliver these
to Clara and Denise.

Yes, sir.

Take my arm.

Mrs Weston, I do not wish to intrude.

But I cannot see you in such distress

and not ask if there is any way
in which I might help.

You are a father, are you not?

I have two children.

When I married, I did not expect...

Flora is...

My husband finds her woefully ignorant.
And perhaps she is.

But I do not want her banished
to the schoolroom

with lessons and tutors and no love.

I do not want to lose her.

Well, I should not care for my children
to be raised in ignorance.

But why must it be in a schoolroom?

Why can you not teach her?

You are an accomplished woman

and you have had the benefit of travel
to broaden your mind.

I am so shallow
I remember almost none of it.

All the better.

You can teach Flora and yourself
at the same time.

I cannot see how our children could be
expected to acquire a love of learning

unless we ourselves demonstrate it.

And do you follow your own precept?

Every day,

I open the dictionary at random
and pick out a word

and commit it to memory.

Though I discount medical terms
and shrubs.

Such a thirst for knowledge.

You quite put me to shame.

One day when we were young,
Moray used a word I did not understand.

I realised that if I did not try
and match his hunger for betterment,

then he would get so far ahead of me
I would never catch him again.

I did not want to lose him.

You need not feel alone in your efforts.

If you would consider allowing Flora
out of your sight for a time,

then the business of The Paradise
can be an education in itself.

And I believe it is high time
I had a junior to assist me.

- Sam!
- You made the shortlist!

And Clara, and two others.

Including her with a mouth
like a cat's arse.

Ah, I see Myrtle's refinement
is rubbing off on all of us.

- Hey, when are the interviews?
- Tomorrow. Sam,

what did you mean when you said
the only thing Miss Audrey had

that I don't is a motto?

Not just Miss Audrey, every head
of department in this building

has a signature saying.

With Miss Audrey, it was
things came to her in the night.

Mr Edwards in glassware
is forever declaring,

"A smudge on the crystal is a slur
on the department."

With Walter in the bays it's...

SAM AND WALTER: I can see
what you're doing.

-(DENISE LAUGHS)
- You cannot be without one, Denise.

Now, I took the liberty of setting down
a few possibilities.

"Girls, girls, girls, girls, girls."

Like the word, like the way you say it.

Perhaps more of a personal treat,
that one.

"When the day is done, so are we."

Oh, in case of idleness.

-"We have a saying in Peebles..."
- Ah, now, the genius of that one is

you can use it on staff
and customers alike.

Well, since no one has any notion
of what is said in Peebles,

you can append it with
whatever you like.

Your own thoughts, delivered
with all the authority of a proverb.

"We have a saying in Peebles."

Oh, Myrtle.

Is that not something the three of you
could arrange in private?

Sam has no notion of
this season's décolleté.

DENISE: There.

- Congratulations, miss.
- Thank you, Arthur.

Though, uh, Mr jonas
shouldn't be pleased.

Haven't you heard?
Everyone's talking about it.

He put 10 shillings on Myrtle
to get the job.

At 50040-1.

That one.

- Dutch.
- This?

Spanish.

- Over yonder?
- Italian.

Like the Spanish but with more I's.

Flora, you are a marvel.

In one morning, you have managed
to identify every European language

and a few from farther afield.

Now, crates from japan are particularly
precious to us at this time.

Why do you suppose that is?

Japanese items are popular.

They are.

Is there a shortage?

We fear one and why might that be?

There has been a grave disaster.

Their navy was sunk in a storm

and now they are unable to deliver
the goods they have made.

Well, that would have to be
a mighty storm indeed,

but you are right to think
in terms of disaster.

Only this one was man-made.

- A war?
- A war brewing.

And war destroys trade as well as lives.

See? Through logical deduction,

you have come to a grasp
of world affairs.

Tired?

Very well, then. There are some people
I should like you to meet.

Four and a half yards of finest cambric

at 3 and 6
makes 15 shillings and ninepence.

Add the grosgrain ribbon,
we'll call it an even 16,

which means the ribbon costs...

Thruppence?

Ladies and gentlemen, my new assistant,
Miss Flora Weston.

How do you do it so fast?

Sam knows his times tables
like no one else.

It's not easy.

The seven times table, for example,
is the very devil.

No sane person can learn it.

You have to keep it in your head
with tricks.

Nines, on the other hand, now,
there's a pattern with nines.

- Boutons.
- Y es.

- Gants.
- Very good.

- (WHISPERING) Parapluie.
- Parapluie.

Because pluie rain.
I've learned so many things today.

I don't know how they'll fit
inside my head.

There's more room in there
than you think.

Some items may fall out
but most will find a place to lodge.

Miss Flora.

What does "noxious" mean?

Well, that's another way
of saying "harmful".

I don't know what people have been
saying about Myrtle's cooking,

but I can assure you,
her cake is excellent.

Harmful.

Why would Mama wish to harm Denise?

Papa says that is why Mama
watches her all the time

but I think he must be confused.

I think Mama watches her all the time
because she is so pretty.

- The child overheard something.
- She is a child.

She cannot be sure what was meant,
nor can we.

Whatever the meaning,
it is clear that Mrs Weston bears

some manner of ill will towards Denise.

And yet she advocates her
for head of ladieswear.

There is a paradox in that
which unnerves me.

I am no enemy to Mrs Weston.

But Denise is my friend.
I care for her. And now,

- I fear for her.
- You think I don't?

I think you did not see her as I did
every day of your absence.

Alone.

Exposed to gossip and rumour
and the speculation of scandal-mongers.

Without the man she loves,

unable to share the feelings
of her heart with anyone.

Stared at, and pointed at
and whispered about.

And yet through it all,
she held her head up

and did her job with skill
and courtesy and grace.

Even though there were days
when I could see

that the only thing holding her together
was her own force of will.

I've never held anyone
in higher esteem.

Not even you, Moray.

(SIGHS)

Denise is gallant and resourceful.

But she's not invulnerable.

You persuaded her once to withdraw
from the fray,

could you not do so again?

I fear Denise is no longer
minded to listen to me.

Then you must make her.

I am disgracefully ignorant and
I simply cannot tolerate it any longer.

I am determined to educate myself.

Oh, I see there are elections in France.

Do you take an interest in politics,
mademoiselle?

No?

Then perhaps you would care to know that

the Prince of Wales
is shooting in Scotland.

And the House of Commons is to debate
the Japanese question.

Now...

What do you suppose that is, and why
do you suppose they are debating it?

I expect it has something to do
with the war brewing in japan.

And what do you know of
the impending war in japan?

I disrupts trade, Papa.

I think perhaps that is why
the government wish to debate it.

(SCOFFS)

And I thought you empty-headed.

Flora, it seems I misjudged you.

I have all manner of things
in my head now

but Mr Dudley says
there is still room for more.

Mr Dudley.

I've had such a day, Papa.

I'm so glad that we
belong to The Paradise.

We do not belong to The Paradise.

The Paradise belongs to us.

She means only that
she feels at home there.

My daughter,

at home in a shop?

Flora, run along to your room.

Martha will be wanting
to get you ready for bed.

Goodnight, Mama.

(DOOR CLOSING)

I thought I'd made my feelings clear.
The Paradise is not her playground.

- But see how much she has learned.
- I will not have my daughter

smelling of that shop as if she were
the spawn of some merchant.

Perhaps you were right.

A governess, tutors,
it all does seem rather unnecessary.

Perhaps I should simply
send her away to school.

I will not allow it.
Do you hear me? I will not.

You dare to dictate to me?
I warned you, Katherine.

Do not presume on my gallantry
or the protection of your sex.

If you choose to cross swords with me,

I will make you remember
you married a soldier.

- I will meet you head on!
- Yes.

And yet you bear
your scars on your back.

Get out.

Get out!

You nervous about
your interviews tomorrow?

I would be, if I were you.
I wouldn't sleep a wink.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Oh, well, let me guess.

You saw a nightingale
on the way to The Three Crowns?

Or was it a chaffinch
in Mr Moray's office?

I won't be long.

Well, if those two are on terms again,
I may as well give up.

Just for once, I thought I might be
in with a chance.

Mr Moray wouldn't give Denise the job
just because he likes her.

- He's not like that.
- Arthur's right.

If he was such a fool for love,

he would never have
built up The Paradise.

If he wasn't, he'd have never lost it.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Denise.

Why did you wish to see me?

When I returned from Paris,
you told me that, uh,

Katherine was too calm,
too kind, that you feared her.

You were right to do so.
She means you harm.

If you win this role...

This role that you do not consider me
ready for or capable of.

If you are made head of ladieswear,
you will be visible,

exposed. And whatever
Katherine's designs,

I will not be able to shield you.

You fear your plans
will suffer through me?

No, I fear you will suffer.

I hadn't realised until Dudley told me

how my departure to France
left you vulnerable,

unprotected.

I would not for all the world
have that happen again.

Denise, please.

Let me keep you safe.

Please, withdraw.

When you were my age,

you were building The Paradise.

Yes, but you're not me.

You are yourself.

- Your little champion?
- Yes.

- But not your equal?
- Look, you...

You are different.

When I was your age,
I was building The Paradise.

But not only because I had the ideas,
because I'd gone out into the world

and begged and borrowed
and browbeat my way

into the kind of financial backing
that turns ideas into reality.

That is not something I see in you.

Because if I walked into a bank
seeking financial backing,

they would assume I'd come to sell
my services as a cleaner.

Or perhaps just to sell myself.

I do not even know that a woman
would be allowed through the doors.

It is different for me.
But not because I am different

but because the world treats me so.

Can you not see that?

I would not want you to become

another version of what I am.

Of who I am.

Oh, john.

That is where we differ.

Denise.

He can't see.

He can't see that I am like him
in every way.

That the limits to what I may achieve
are not inside me but outside!

I'm sorry.

It's late. You do not have to listen
to my tales of woe.

I would listen to whatever
you had to tell me.

I only wish that I could show him
what I'm truly capable of.

DUDLEY: So four chairs, in the corridor,
outside Mr Moray's office.

Mrs Weston.
You are in advance of the schedule.

- Interviews aren't set to commence...
- I wanted to see you first.

It is the most unfortunate thing.

Flora's doll.
It seems there was a fault

in the manufacture.

I'm sorry to hear that, ma'am.
We will, of course, replace it.

If you could let me have
the defective item...

No. It is gone.

It's my fault. I did not wish Flora
to see it and be distressed.

I have told her we will replace it with
another the same, just the same,

and it will be as if nothing happened.

Mrs Weston, is something wrong?
Has something happened to distress you?

Thank you for the care
you took with Flora.

I will not forget.

Sir. Might I have a moment of your time?

Oh, I've a devilish head
on me this morning.

Last night is something of a fog.

I can't remember what I was drinking.

Other than too much.

Your health.

BARMAID: Yes, sir.

How can I be of help?

I was hoping it might be
the other way round,

that I may be of assistance to you.

I wasn't aware I stood
in need of assistance.

No. Quite possibly you are not.

You must understand The Paradise is more
than just a place, it's a people,

a tribe, whose leader is Moray.

They are weak, credulous.
Loyal beyond measure.

They do not see that Moray's time is
past, only that he was good to them,

their rightful king.

Every action against him
increases their loyalty.

It is possible, more than possible

that in their ill-conceived fidelity
to the man,

they might turn on those
they view as his usurpers.

Well, they'd be turning
on themselves in the process.

I'd sack every man jack of them.

What would then happen to The Paradise,
the goose that lays the golden eggs?

I will not tolerate insurrection.

I have told you.
They are simple, credulous.

All that is needed is for them
to transfer their loyalty.

All their murmurings
and mutterings at present

centre on the forbidden outing
to the music hall.

If you were to find a way of
restoring it...

In my experience,
the rescinding of an order

is never anything but
an exhibition of weakness.

I believe there is another way.

You are this morning conducting
interviews for the head of ladieswear,

are you not?

If a customer was desirous of a gown
you did not think suited her,

what would you say?

That would depend on
the price of the gown.

Before venturing an opinion
on the matter,

I would seek the advice of
a more experienced authority.

Sir, I believe there are some truths
a woman does not wish to hear.

I would tell her the truth.
I do not want her custom only today

but tomorrow
and for many years to come.

And for that, there must be
a trust between us.

At the heart of it, one must have faith
in one's own stock.

If you are given this advancement,
what would you change?

Whatever I was told to.

Heavens. Where to start?

I wouldn't change a thing.

If it was good enough for Miss Audrey,
it's good enough for me.

I would change anything
I felt needed changing.

Would you care to be more specific?

Why, no.

Because then you would have my ideas
and I might have no advancement.

You seem to set great store
by your ideas, Miss Lovett.

Not just by my ideas
but by my ability to make them real.

Miss Lovett, one last question.
Let us say that for reasons of morale,

you wished to take the staff
on a trip to the music hall.

And let us say that for reasons
we need not go into, you were denied.

What would you do?

If I could not take the staff
to the music hall,

I believe I would seek
to bring the music hall to them.

And if you were told that
the considerations preventing attendance

were in part financial,
that there was no budget

to pay for any performance,
what would you do?

We have saying in Peebles.

"If the store doesn't have it,
make it yourself."

That's what I would do.
I would make a night at the music hall.

- Oh, Denise! How did it go?
- I said it, Sam.

"We have a saying in Peebles."

I looked them straight in the eye
and I just said it!

- So, does that earn me a kiss?
- Better than a kiss. Drink after work?

JONAS: Denise.

There is someone who would
like a word with you privately.

Miss Lovett.

An impressive interview.

I was particularly struck by your idea
for the homemade music hall.

Tell me... If you were to attempt such
a thing in reality, what would you need?

The great hall, after dark.

With as many lamps
and candles as we could find.

And if the experience was to truly
replicate a night at the music hall,

there would have to be refreshments.

That could be arranged.

Who would be your performers?

Us. The Paradise!

Very well. You are commissioned
to bring such an event into being.

Tonight.
Shall we say an hour after closing?

It is an opportunity, Denise.
To prove yourself.

To show to all of them
what you're capable of.

I did not know that you and Mr Weston
were so much in each other's confidence.

And now you're wondering
what business it is I am about.

Well, I shall tell you.
I serve The Paradise.

You must shine, Denise.

You must persuade even the most unlikely
of your colleagues to take part.

You must conjure something from nothing.

- Why do you look at me?
- Mr Jonas.

When was the last time
you danced a reel?

Urn... A man cannot dance a reel alone

and a man with one arm
is no fit partner

for anyone.

Well, I have two arms and two feet.

Although both feet are left, so perhaps
overall we'll equal each other out.

- You can sing?
- I can sing. Put me down!

Thank you, Susy,
have a think about the song.

I've got it!

DENISE: So a little birdie tells me
that you have a talent.

Sam. I'm relying on you.

You have such a way about you. You keep
the customers entertained for hours.

- You were born to do this.
- Now, there's no need to flatter us.

You know I'd give you
the shirt off me back.

I don't want your shirt, Sam.

I only want your wit
and your love of making people laugh.

How about I throw a little
something extra in there as well?

Every time I seek to influence events,

the effect seems to be the perfect
opposite of what I intended!

I wish her to withdraw,
to be less visible,

and she burns brighter by the moment!

DUDLEY: just something in the air.

In teaching Flora, I hope to soften
her father towards her.

But I fear the reverse may be true.

Torn Weston is not the kind of man
who would love the child for herself.

Only the reflected glory
she might bring.

Ten shillings?

I think and I think.
Still I can't fathom the meaning of it.

I was on the road for many months.
I met with no kindness there.

- And much here.
- It didn't come with a price tag.

Perhaps I know what it is
to feel judged, known.

One's borders so completely mapped
that all around imagine

there is no more to you
than what is seen.

No inner self.

Well. Ten shillings is
a considerable sum.

A woman might find
her self-respect again

with that amount riding on her back.

Though you might just as well
have bought me a drink.

A drink is something
you can buy for yourself.

There's a plum duff in the stove
if you've a mind.

You still have a spare look about you

and if there's to be reeling,
you'll need your energy.

Who said anything about a reel?

The walls have ears, Mr Jonas.

What I want to know is
will there be a kilt worn?

I have a strange partiality
for a man in a kilt.

Denise. It is an open secret that you
are working to stage a music hall

in The Paradise after closing tonight.

- Yes, sir.
- And Mr Weston is to attend?

I believe so.

My impression is that he regretted
his decision to cancel the outing

and wishes to make reparation
without losing face.

Denise, I wonder if you
could find space in the programme

for an act that would be both
entertaining and instructive?

Mr Weston, sir.

- Good evening, Mrs Weston.
- Good evening.

- Flora.
- Dudley.

Would it be okay if I show
Miss Flora backstage?

Yes, of course. Flora,
would you like to see backstage?

(SINGING A SCALE)

You look beautiful. You sound...lovely.

- Sam, you ready?
- He's nearly there.

ARTHUR: Come on, Sam.
just one last squeeze!

-(ELASTIC SNAPPING)
- SAM: Oh! I'm in.

(RHYTHMIC CLANGING)

That better bloody not
be what I think it is!

(AUDIENCE SHUSHING)

(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

Don't you know that imitation
is a form of flattery?

SAM: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.

Ooh! Hello, handsome.

Now, ladies and gentlemen,
are we ready for the show?

AUDIENCE: Yes!

I said, are we ready for the show?

ALL: Yes!

Then I give you...The Amazing Arthur!

AUDIENCE: Ooh!

Mr Weston, your hat,
if you wouldn't mind.

There you go.

(APPLAUSE)

The Mighty Waldo!

(APPLAUSE)

# Early one morning
just as the sun was rising

# I heard a young maid sing
In the valley below

# Oh, don't deceive me
Oh, never leave me

# How could you use a poor maiden so? #

I always were a sentimental bugger.

DUDLEY: You're a nightingale, Susy!

(PLAYING SCOTTISH REEL)

Bravo!

WOMAN: Lovely footwork, Jonas!

MAN: Very good, Mr Jonas!

AUDIENCE: Ooh! (APPLAUDING)

Now, ladies and gentlemen,
please, pray silence

for our final act
and the highlight of our show.

The infant prodigy

Miss Flora Weston!

- What is she about to do?
- Wait and see, it's good.

Ladies and gentlemen, 10 questions only,
we only have time for 10 questions,

so that'll come on a first come,
first serve basis. So...

Yes.

I would like to know...
What is the capital of Peru?

Lima.

Yes.

I would like to ask the infant prodigy

how do you say "umbrella" in French?

Parapluie.

WOMAN: Can you name me
one chemical element?

Copper.

What is the largest river
in North America?

The Mississippi River.

MAN: Can you spell the word
"Chrysanthemum"?

C-H-R-Y-S-A-N-T-H-E-M-U-M.

Oh, my goodness.

JONAS: Can you tell me
the capital of Scotland?

Edinburgh.

Take a bow, take a bow!

- Excuse me.
-(APPLAUSE DIES)

I should like to ask
the infant prodigy a question.

In what year did Christopher Columbus
discover America?

1492.

Bravo!

She is a credit to you!

Well done, Miss Flora. Go and sit down.

Thank you all for coming,
ladies and gentlemen!

And we have two people to thank
for this evening. Mr Weston...

MAN: Thanks, Mr Weston!

...and Denise Lovett of ladieswear!

(ALL CHEERING)

Go on! Go on!

Lovett, have the job.

But I'll tell you something.
You'll lose the man.

Denise!

You have dazzled us all.

I only wanted to dazzle you.
I can't bear it when we're apart.

I can't bear it!

AUDIENCE: (CHANTING)
Denise! Denise! Denise!

Your public awaits.

AUDIENCE: Denise! Denise! Denise!

Denise! Denise! Denise! Denise!

Moray. I think we've found
our new head of ladieswear.

Only, be careful, Moray. Denise shines
so bright, she may yet outshine you.

I don't think even you could have
achieved what she did today.

DENISE". I am head of ladieswear.

You need to step into the role now,

that means making decisions
that others won't like.

DENISE: Susy? Please attend
to the young lady.

I will leave it with you
while I have a coffee with Moray.

Why, you’re just a spoilt
little nothing, that's what you are!

You are a child!

Susy, go down to the refectory
right now.

I want my mum!

It was you who presided over
this humiliation of my child.

What do you propose to do
about this girl?

You wanted this position.
It is not all tea parties.

You must collect your belongings and go.