Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 2, Episode 10 - A Special Mischief - full transcript

Elizabeth joins the suffragette movement, but in her effort to protect her, Rose is imprisoned.

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♫ Pale hands I love... ♫

Rouge is for silver, not hands.

It costs money, you know.

- Ruby!
RUBY: Yes, Rose?

You done yet?

RUBY:
Nearly, Rose.

"Nearly."
That girl's always nearly.

Nearly all there, eh?
[ Chuckles ]

I don't know.

We work harder when they're away



than when
they're bloomin' well here.

Gives us a chance
to get straight.

Though this curtain...

Oh, my God!
Edward!

Don't touch me.

Not all at once!

If Mr. Hudson had seen that,
he'd have had a fit,

and quite right.

- Have you dried them?
- Washed and dry, Rose.

Well, get some mutton cloth
and give them a good polish.

You know where it is.

That girl.

Why is Miss Elizabeth not away
like the others?

Miss Elizabeth?



Might as well ask
why water don't flow uphill.

She knows
I want to get into her room

and give her a good turnout.

But will she let me?

Elbow grease, mind,
and don't tear it.

You know what Mr. Hudson's like
about his mutton cloth.

What's she doing up there,
anyhow?

If you are ready to join us,

you could provide
the perfect rendezvous.

Rendezvous?

Our battle headquarters,
here in this house.

Well, you said
your parents were away.

They are. And the reception
rooms are all shut up.

Not the basement, surely?

The servants' hall?

Well, no, but what about the
servants? They're not all away.

- Can't you send them out?
- On what pretext?

Well, you'll have to think
of something.

I'll tell Mrs. P. our group's
got a secret base in Belgravia.

She'll be delighted.

The time!

I really must ring down
for lunch, or Rose will sack me.

I ordered something cold.
I thought we'd have it here.

Not me, my dear.
I must fly.

But, Ellen, you must!

A sandwich and cocoa
at headquarters.

Headquarters?
Can I come?

No, dear.
Only committee members.

Oh, here.

You have it.
It's the list.

It's your house, so you have it.

What a night it's going to be.

We shall make history.

That's what I want to do --
make history.

[Knock on door]

Until tonight, then.

Tonight.

And now I must hurry. I'm late
for the coordination meeting.

Goodbye my dear.

There's luncheon for two,
Miss Elizabeth,

like you ordered.

Thank you.

The time -- We got carried away.

Never mind.
You can eat it all.

No, I'm not hungry.

She's an odd one.

Ellen Bouverie
is my oldest school friend.

Oh? Funny you haven't seen her
since then.

Come on.
Eat it up.

No, thank you.

Well, what's that for?

Edward can take it away.

Would you bring me
my writing block?

I should have asked her
what to wear.

What to wear, Miss Lizzie?

When we...

I mean, suppose
we all wear the same colour.

- Where to?
- Anywhere.

[Knock on door]

Take that tray downstairs.

Pour out a glass of milk,

and bring it up
with a slice of the Madeira cake

that's in the tin
with the butterfly on it.

ELIZABETH:
I don't want it, Rose.

Well, get along with you.

[ Door closes]

My Rose has thorns today.

That's just 'cause I'm in charge
of this great place.

I've no cook, no butler, but
I've got it all to look after.

Including me.

Aren't you gonna go up
and see your family at all?

I detest Scotland.

Well, Frinton, see the baby.

Oh, the baby gets along
very well.

Life for me is one
long, boring holiday, anyway.

Oh, I wish it were otherwise.

Oh, not for you, of course.

I mean,
you've a right to complain

-with all you have to do.
- Aye?

Fetch me my purse.

You shall have a holiday.

Ooh, no.

You and Edward and the girl.
Here.

- No.
- Take it.

- I shan't go out again today.
-[ Knock on door]

Oh, Edward, how kind of you.

So, tonight, Rose,
you'll take Edward and Ruby

to the Bioscope in Wilton Road.

- I will not.
- I know you enjoy it so.

And so will Edward.

You're to go there and not to
spare a single thought for me

and enjoy yourselves.

See it twice.

And there's enough there
for supper afterwards.

- But, Miss Elizabeth, I...
- I insist, Rose.

You'll look after them,
won't you, Edward?

- Oh, yes, madam.
- Thank you, Edward.

Thank you, Rose.

Just one lamp, I've got.
Other if the house is dark.

That's better. Put it
on the table and sit down.

Elizabeth Kirbridge, our
new recruit who lives upstairs.

- Well, my parents do.
- And kindly allowed us

to congregate down here.

Good girl.

Our group --

Bessie Purdoe,
Lady Jessica Barnstaple,

Dr. May Lindsay,
and Miss Cutforth, who teaches.

Good evening.

Now...

you all understand --

Tonight is to be the greatest
in the history of the union.

At precisely half past 10:00..

-[ Knock on door]
-...we --

- Ah, the last.
- That'll be Mabel Tomkins.

You're late.

I'm losing money as it is.

Won't that boa show up?

- It'll go in me bag.
- You weren't followed?

No, I went twice
'round the block.

A-And if anyone is watching,
it won't look odd,

people coming in and out
this way.

They'll think the servants
are having an evening

while upstairs are away.

Where are your servants?

I sent them to the Bioscope.

I sent mine to the Riviera.

Mm, I must say. I thought
we'd have met upstairs.

I prefer it here.

You don't surprise me.
You're new.

Just joined.
Now, be quiet.

I was saying,

tonight is to be the finest
in the history of the Union.

For too long, men have made
the shoddy argument

that women are too volatile
and too passionate

for political life.

There are members of Parliament,
men's Parliament,

who will sponsor votes
for women's suffrage.

But we know -- We've learned
in a long, hard school --

that it's all a waste of time
because no party

-will support us.
- Ellen, you're so right!

And to the newspapers,
we're fun,

like drunken undergraduates in
Piccadilly on boat-race night.

And so the time has come
to prove we are in earnest.

Tonight...

-a bomb is going off.
Bomb?

The like of which
is new in the wide world.

I don't relish a bomb.

Well, she doesn't mean
a real one.

Oh, but I do, Elizabeth.

At half past 10:00 precisely --
precisely, mind --

every single member
of the government

and every single senior
civil servant is to be attacked.

Deary!

Well, not only our group
is involved,

but every group in London
and all over the country.

Think of it --
every man at the same moment.

-Isn't that a bomb?
- ALL: Yes!

Now, our target
is Mr. Arthur Granville, M.P.

- The home office?
- He lives quite near.

Number 66 Digby Street,
Westminster.

That's why
We're assembling here.

- Will he be home?
- MABEL: I hope so.

The bag, Bessie.

BESSIE:
Here, take what you fancy --

what you can do
the most damage with.

Plenty of bits.

Here's one.

Elizabeth.
- Yes.

[All murmuring]

Now, leave one by one.

Walk naturally

and assemble very discreetly
at 5 and 20 past.

Bessie, you leave first.
Make sure the coast is clear.

BESSIE:
Right.

Oh, no, you don't.

ELIZABETH: Rose!

You can go, the rest of you,
and good riddance,

-but not Miss Elizabeth.
- Who's she?

- Get out of my way.
Rose, you don't understand.

I heard. It's wicked.
What would your father say?

I mean, I never believed it
of you -- you a suffragette.

I'm old enough
to have my own opinions.

We'll see about that.
You'll not budge.

- It won't go in!
- Oh, use the carpet bag.

Let us pass!

You common thing!

How could you, Miss Elizabeth?
Such people.

ELLEN:
One by one and no noise.

You disobeyed me.

- Where are the others?
- Out.

I knew something was up.
Oh, Miss Elizabeth!

"Oh, Miss Elizabeth!"
Can't you stop grizzling?

Now, Lady Jessica.

I'm not letting you out
with this lot, and that's that.

No?
Then wait and see.

You don't know what'll happen.
I've heard stories.

So have I, dear.

You, Mabel.

Best of luck, one and all.

Elizabeth, I must go next.

Go.
You're not needed here.

You must do as you think best.

I know what's best.
I'm with you.

- No!
- Yes!

My life's not like yours,
limited and --

- Not like a servant's, you mean?
- Yes, I do.

You can't understand, Rose.
The world's changing.

But why do you
want it to change?

I'll be there, Ellen.

A suffragette.

Yes.
It's exciting!

Haven't you had
enough excitement?

- Oh.
- Is this your new toy, hmm?

Today's raree-show?

I thought you were my friend.

No, I'm your servant.

Then behave like one
and do as you're told.

You let go of me!

- No.
- Let me go, or I shall...

Or you'll what?

Or I shall sack you.

I can and I shall, Rose.

[Piano music plays]

[ Indistinct conversations]

[Applause ]

Them windows are a fair height.

Who's got the bricks?

I have.

Are you a good thrower, dear,
or shall I?

I played cricket
with my brother.

That's the ticket.

What time is it?

We'll hear St. George's clock.
Don't worry.

Think of it --
all over London, every home.

I wish we had Downing Street.

Mrs. P. has that.

Stands to reason.

[ Indistinct conversations]

That's a lovely motor for you,
Lady B.

Yes, lovely.

- It's so hot.
- ELLEN: You're nervous.

First time out.

- That girl.
Rose?

ELLEN:
Suppose she tells your parents?

ELIZABETH:
Oh, she won't.

Anyway,
I wish you wouldn't coddle me.

You're as bad as she is.

Shh.

[ Door opens ]

- Must you go so early?
- I regret so.

I hope the evening
has been useful.

Business and pleasure.

And an excellent dinner.

- As for those copper shares...
- First thing in the morning.

I'll, um...
see you're in on that.

Give my regards
to Marshall at the Treasury.

You can count on it.

Good night, Julius.

Good night.

[Door closes, bell tolling]

- Votes for women!
-[ All shouting indistinctly]

We want the vote!

We want the vote!

[Shouting continues,
glass shatters]

[Banging]

Ladies, please!

Do you know
Whose house this is?!

Why else are we doing it?

You will listen to us!

Votes for women!
We will be heard!

Votes for women!

You will listen to us!

Vote for women!
Women's rights!

[ Banging, glass shattering]

[Whistle blowing, hoofbeats]

Hurry!
They're coming!

Listen to us!

Let go of me!

No.

Miss Lizzie!

Oh!

Leave her be, you cad, you!

Oh, Rose, go home!

[Shouting continues]

Votes for women!

Oh, a pretty one, eh?

This way, my beauties.
Come on. Come on.

WOMAN: Votes for women!
Victory!

[Shouting continues]

I told you not to, Rose!

And I told you!

Now look what you've gone
and done!

Oh!

[Glass shatters, whistle blows
in distance ]

"165 Eaton Place."

Morning, Mrs. Bridges.

Now, then, Ruby, me girl,
have you got that range going?

Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

Well, Ruby,
I hope you used no paper.

Oh, no, Mrs. Bridges.
We don't want clinker.

What's that
you're making, then, Ruby?

A cake, Mrs. Bridges.

Like you taught me.

Save it be better than yours,
you silly, old cow.

Oh, and what's up
with me tea, then?

- Did she turn her nose up?
- She's not there.

Then you'd best find her,
for she won't want it cold.

She's not anywhere.

Hey, I'm making a cake
for this afternoon.

What do you think of that, then?

She's not in her room.
She's nowhere.

- What?!
Rose. Nowhere.

Don't be daft.

Well, I knocked on her door
and went in,

and her bed's not been slept in.

Edward, do you mean to say

that you and me
have been alone all night?

After Biosoope,
we come back here and we...

She went out last night
and didn't come home.

It's a man.
I bet it's a man.

Oh, not Rose.

Here, who's gonna take up
Mrs. Kirbridge's breakfast

-when she rings?
- Oh, not me, not upstairs.

Well, I can't.

What has happened to her?

[Spectators murmuring]

"Hoggett, Marks,
Tippet, Brewster --

court three.

Babcock, Fulmin,
Warne, Jones, Lewis --

court four.

Sidcup, Lindsay, Cutforth --

court five.

Bouverie, Barnstaple, Purdoe,

Tomkins, Buck, Kirbridge --

court six.".

MAN:
This way, ladies.

"Walker, Shears...

- Here! what's this?!
- You expect the Old Bailey?

I don't call it
tried in a bloomin' cupboard.

It's a court
as long as that's up there.

There's too many of you.

Flooded in from every
police station in London.

Now, come on, get into line.
Into line. Come on, into line.

- Stop pushing.
- Come on, come on. And you.

Don't push!

Oh, sorry, your ladyship.

[Murmuring]

Hush, now.

[Clears throat]

This is even smaller
than Mr. Wilson's court.

He was here first, sir.

- Oh, was he?
- We want a proper court.

You have a proper court, madam,
and a proper magistrate.

- So hold your tongue.
- MABEL: Silly old...

And please, sir, the bailiff
will be vastly obliged

if you can keep all cases
to 10 minutes.

Summary justice, indeed.

"Lady Jessica Barnstaple
of Beckhampton in Wiltshire."

Here.

CLERK:
You don't respond.

Then I beg your pardon.

"Lady Jessica Barnstaple
of Beckhampton in Wiltshire,

Miss Ellen Bouverie
of Sutton in Surrey,

- Miss Bessie Purdoe..."
-"Bessie"? "Elizabeth," surely?

"Bessie" I was born,
and "Bessie" I'll die.

"Miss Bessie Purdoe
of Salford in Lancashire,

Miss Mabel Tomkins

of Lisle Street
in the city of Westminster,

Mistress Elizabeth Kirbridge

of Eaton Place
in the city of Westminster,

Miss Rose Buck of Eaton Place
in the city of Westminster.

You are charged with conduct
provoking a breach of the peace

by causing willful damage
to property in..."

...um...

Digby Street.

Ah. Digby Street.

"Property at Digby Street

and committing certain
illegal and wrongful acts

at 10:30 p.m.
on August the 14th, last."

We break laws to make laws!

Silence!

I have seen some mischiefs
in my time,

but this is
a new and special one.

It must end, and I shall end it.

Me cake's not rising,
though it smells a treat.

Miss Elizabeth's not there,
either.

Perhaps it was too wet.

She's not in her room,
and her bed's not been slept in.

Oh, never both of them?

What are we gonna do?

Well, y-you're in charge,
Edward.

- Police?
- Police? Oh.

Or give 'em time, eh?

Aye, Edward, that's best.
Give 'em time.

It's settled.
We're guilty before we're tried.

You will not say that.
I will not have it.

You do as your masters tell you!

I don't call it
tried in a bloomin' cupboard.

- It's a Star Chamber!
- I will have silence!

Yes, yes, be that as it may.

Now, uh, which of you
is your spokeswoman?

- I
- No, me!

- No, I am the --
- JUDGE: That will be enough.

Ellen Bouverie.

The rest of you
may sit down and be quiet.

As a husband and a father,
I have long found

it is better
for one woman to speak at a time

rather than several.

Now, then,
we have heard from the police.

What have you to say?

My father
is a guardian of the poor.

My mother,
a member of the school board.

JUDGE: Your parents are not
before me, Miss Bouverie.

From them, I learned
how many of my own sex

find themselves
in dreadful situations,

because of the state of English
law as it affects women.

You must have had women
before you

who would never have been
in court

if the law gave them
a better claim to justice.

You know how unjust the marriage
and divorce laws are,

even that a married woman has
no rights in her own children.

JUDGE:
I should prefer it

if you spoke of the events
of last night.

ELLEN:
We've presented petitions,

held meetings
greater than any in history,

faced mobs in the streets

because we've been told
we can't have political power

until the whole country
supports us.

JUDGE: well, the whole country
does not support you.

It can be led to it.

It's our duty to make the world
a better place for women.

When we get the vote,

we can create vast changes
for our less-fortunate sisters.

The average wage of women
workers is £7 and 6 a week.

JESSICA: Shame.
- ELLEN: £7 and 6.

Can you wonder so many of them
are driven to an immoral life?

- MABEL: True.
Legislation must come about,

but it won't until we have
the same electoral power as men.

We stand
by what we did last night.

We put our protest,
our determination,

in a form
which cannot be ignored.

We think our action moderate.

Moderate?!

Be upstanding.

Now, will you be bound over
to be of good behaviour?

No.

JUDGE:
And so say all of you?

Very well, then.

Mrs. Elizabeth Kirbridge.

For your part
in this disgraceful affair,

you are fined 40 shillings.

CLERK:
Stand down.

But where do I pay?

Outside.

Now, for the rest of you,
who should know better.

ELIZABETH:
You came to see me hung, sir?

How 40 shillings must annoy you.

Not at all.
I would deplore to see you hung.

As for your fine,
I have paid it for you.

Here is your receipt.

You are impertinent, sir.

You don't have 40 shillings.

You dare to look inside?

How else
was I to identify the owner?

You will be repaid, sir.

I count on it.

I must have your card, sir.

I shall send what I owe
the moment I get home.

I could not call for it?

MAN:
This way.

What is it?
What's happened?

Now, then, miss, stand clear.

- Please, what?
- He give us two months.

ELIZABETH: Oh, no.
- In prison.

- Not all of you?
- Oh, Miss Lizzie.

Rose.

You have a friend in court,
eh, miss?

You see what you've done?

Saved you from jail.

I don't want to be saved.
I want to be with them.

Remember that
in your comfortable bed

in Eaton Place tonight.

ELIZABETH:
I wish I hadn't hit you.

I was waiting for an apology.

I wish I'd killed you.

I gave them my card
that I knew you,

mentioned your father,
your connections.

You know a great deal
about me, sir.

Convinced them you could hardly
be a villain like the others.

I am. You saw me.
I was there and...

Prison?
Well, which prison?

- I must ask at once and --
- Holloway, without a doubt.

Who are you?

You have my card.

"Julius Karekin."

Your name, where you live.
But who are you?

- Tell me I have been of service.
- You haven't.

Oh, God.
What am I to do?

JULIUS:
We shall go for a refreshment

-and discuss the matter.
- I shall do nothing of the sort.

If you had to save me, why could
you not save Rose, as well?

Who is Rose?

[Keys jingling]

[Keys jingling]

Stop it, stop it.

[Murmuring]

Hey. Don't get lost.
Stick together.

ROSE: No.

Don't be a goose.
You're better with us.

You know us.

Look around, dear.

[Metal clanks]

ELIZABETH: If I appear
less angry with you than I was,

it is entirely due
to exhaustion.

A night in Rochester Row police
station is far from beneficial.

A night
with a pack of suffragettes

can hardly be beneficial.

I am one, Mr. Karekin.

I have my doubts.

Then little you know me.

Only I were with them now...

[ Footsteps ]

Thank you.
No.

Thank you, Loris.

I cannot abide China tea.

I cannot abide chocolate.

My Aunt Kate
drinks nothing else.

The family have been expecting
her to turn yellow for years.

That would be
the marchioness of Castleton.

Are you a snob, sir,
or a detective?

Connoisseur of handsome women.

Well, then,
I shall leave at once.

How vain
to assume I include you.

Every woman is precisely aware
of her degree of handsomeness.

To most women,
it is all that matters.

But not to suffragettes.

You are a Jew, I think.

It is well-known that all Jews
wish to ingratiate themselves,

or so my mother says.

Lady Marjorie.

I thought Jews were greedy
only for money.

That also.

I have Jewish friends,
most of them

are every bit as greedy
for money as my English friends.

I wouldn't mind being Jewish.

Then what are you?

I was born in London.

And your parents?

My father was Armenian.

As I said.

You said a Jew,
which is quite different.

I confess to an astonishing lack
of interest.

I'm here because you said
you might help Ellen and Rose.

Your house parlourmaid.

Rose has been my friend
for as long as I can remember.

How bizarre.

Perhaps I am less English
than I think.

She's loved me and looked after
me and understood me

ever since I was a child.

Oh, why did she involve herself?

Because she believes
in the cause?

No, not Rose.

But prison, the shame of it.

Oh, not to me, of course,

but for your interference,
I should be revelling in it.

But Rose.

If my mother ever finds out...

I believe there is less cause
for concern than you fear.

Prison is a lesson, a token.

You women don't eat.
It's almost routine.

ELIZABETH: Don't eat?
- Do have a cake.

You should read the newspapers.

What do you mean, "don't eat"?

They refuse to eat
for a few days.

They are released.

A few days?
How few?

It varies.
But I hope I comfort you.

ELIZABETH:
If it's the truth.

I never lie to a woman

till I've known her
at least two weeks.

You won't know me two weeks,
sir.

Now, I must go home.

I shall escort you.

No.
No, I can take a Hackney.

I...

Good day.

JULIUS:
And thank you.

I must have me pins.

There's no one
to admire you, anyhow.

And then get dressed,
all of you, and quick!

WOMAN:
[ Sobbing ]

Quiet! You!

[ Slap ]

Stand away, you, and you!

Quiet, all of you.

- Should give her one back.
- You leave me alone!

[Voice breaking] I won't be
here long, not even all day.

Miss Lizzie'll come for me.

Elizabeth?
Elizabeth betrayed us.

Come on, come on.

I'll have to telegraph
Mr. Hudson in Scotland.

Oh, you wouldn't dare.

Well, what, then?

I -- Well,
I've got to do something.

Anything might have happened.

[ Footsteps ]

Hey, someone's coming.

Rose, where on ear--

Good day, Edward, and, uh...

Ruby, madam.
Uh, we're all here, madam.

- All?
- All here, yes, madam.

Doing this and that.

Rose was going to give your room
a good share, but...

Something most unfortunate
has happened.

I don't want to hear.

- Yes, madam?
- It's Rose.

I've no choice but to tell you.

But if you ever so much
as breathe a word of it, ever,

to anyone.

Rose, owing to an unfortunate
mistake, has been taken to...

She never come home.

She didn't come home
because Rose is in prison.

It's better than winson Green.

All you're used to, I daresay.

You come near me, Bessie Purdoe.

Bessie.

In my line of business, we learn
to take care of ourselves.

What is your business?

- I'm in the entertainment line.
-[ Snickers ]

Actresses is no better
than trollops.

Not so good, dear.

[ Door opens ]

Your pints?

Yes, miss.
Here, miss.

No, miss.

Same as all the others, eh?

Put all the pints on there --
You!

Hurry UP-

[ Door closes]

Oh, wish it was a cup of tea.

Leave it.

- Well, we've got to eat.
- No.

We don't, Rose.
We all refuse to eat.

Look, if I'm gonna be in here,
I'm gonna be --

You won't eat!
None of us eat!

- I'm starving.
- Starve, you will.

At least let her eat.

No, my dear.
It's all right.

We might die.

- It's better than giving in.
- Yes, Rose.

She's right, Rose.

Very well.
If you say so, my lady.

But the shame will kill her.

I know about that.
Your class is ridiculous.

I don't reckon your mother and
father will laugh at it, either.

Well, they won't know --
not ever.

I won't tell them, and
you've given your sacred word.

That won't be worth a cinder

unless she's here
when they get back.

I have it on the best authority
that she'll be released.

They'll all be released.

And when you
come to think of it,

it's another victory
over the system,

making the law look foolish.

EDWARD:
And what would that be, madam?

Prison's a token, a lesson.

They don't eat.

They refuse to eat,
and in a few days, they...

- Few days?
- How few?

I don't know,
but it must be true. It must.

She's dropped off.

You ain't
half got bony shoulder blades.

You'll be bony
'fore we get out of here.

What's Miss Bouverie doing,
then? writing her life story?

A speech for Caxton Hall
on Saturday.

Saturday.
Huh, you'll be lucky.

Has anyone heard how long
they're letting us starve?

BESSIE:
The last lot was three days.

Oh, this pain.

Dear.

Who was that man,
the one what got Miss Lizzie?

Didn't notice.

- He was the one she bashed.
- Never.

The one what came out
of the house.

That's right.

He came to tell on her.
Beast.

Then how did she get off?
He's after her.

Not Miss Elizabeth.

What, she's not bad-looking.

Do you think that,
Miss Bouverie?

I'm worried about her.

Oh, why don't you shut up?!

I wonder
if she's worried about us.

About me?
Yes!

MABEL: You know, I've seen him,
now I come to think about it.

- What?
- That toff.

He lives down the Dilly,
where, uh...

Albany, yeah.

He's one for the ladies.

I've seen them
going in and out with him.

Oh, my God.

Oh, nice class of women.
Never looks at me, of course.

But I suppose he gets it
for nothing.

Bloody black legs.

BESSIE: Here,
who's had the corner off this?

Not me.

- Let's have a look, then.
Perhaps she's ate it.

Take your common hands off me,
you. Stop it!

It -- It wasn't for me.

It was for her
'cause she's old and that.

Aah!

Help me!

Bessie!

She must keep the rules,
as we do.

This is democracy!

She ain't used to it.

[ Door opens ]

Visitor for Buck.

[Voice breaking]
That's Miss Lizzie.

I told you she'd come.

Miss Lizzie?

EDWARD:
She doesn't know we're here.

RUBY: No, we shouldn't have left
the house.

Why don't she come?

Rose, you look horrible.

EDWARD: That's a proper shiner
you've got there, Rose.

And your hair.

Why don't she come?

Hey.
Brought this.

It's a cake.
I made it.

They won't let me eat it.

Why don't she come?

Well, she said a few days
and you'd be out.

Though what you did --
breaking a window --

Oh, Rose, it was awful.

[ Sobbing ]
Why don't she come?

-[ Metal clanging]
- I can't stand it no more!

Why don't she come?!

- WARDRESS: Right!
- Why don't she come?!

Visiting's canceled.
Out!

Out, out!

EDWARD: I'll tell her, Rose!
I will tell her!

[Murmuring]

[Murmuring]

Are they letting us out, eh?

- They letting us out?
- We don't know.

Not from the looks
on their faces.

WARDRESS:
In line there.

- Ohh.
- Oh, my God.

WARDRESS: Next.

It's never torture.

- Not in England.
- WOMAN: [Screaming]

God in heaven.

You won't be let out this time,
ladies.

Oh, no.

Because you will eat.

We're feeding you with this.

And the more you resist,
the worse it is, they tell me.

This end goes down your throat.

Or, if you're very bad,
up your nose.

Oh, no.
Please, God, no.

[Wardress shouting
indistinctly, bell ringing]

[ Raspily ]
I don't want to wake up.

Are you all right?

I'll just stew a bit.
I didn't mean to sleep so long.

[ Raspily ]
They won't do it again.

-[ Raspily ] what's that?
- Chew the stuff.

I daresay.
Sit down.

They can't.
Not again.

Rise and shine!
Rise and shine!

Slop's out!

Then there'll be
a nice breakfast.

Unless you want
a repeat of yesterday.

No, miss.
I'll eat, miss, pie--

The same as yesterday.

WARDRESS:
Suit yourselves.

Now, get that pot emptied!
You!

[Raspily] My good woman,
Where is our friend?

She fainted,
and we ain't seen her since.

Ellen Bouverie --
What have you done with her?

Don't ask me.

- Was she fed as we were?
- Not so many questions!

[Thumping]

Whatever is it?

There's someone coming up,
madam.

Ruby, is that you?
RUBY: Yes, Edward.

Ellen!

Elizabeth.

Thank you.
Ruby, make us some tea.

Yes, madam.

You're out.

Are you all out?

Rose? where's Rose?
Why isn't she with you?

Only me.

[Voice breaking]
Oh, Elizabeth.

[ Crying ]

Calm.
Only you?

Now, there'll be tea
in a minute.

Now, why only you, Ellen?

- When I fainted...
- What?

...they examined me.

The doctor says
my heart is weak.

Oh, dear.
How dreadful.

But he may be wrong.

It's the other, what happened,
what they're doing in there!

Well, tell me, my dear.
You must tell me.

Oh, no, Ellen.

No, they couldn't do anything
so brutal.

Not women to other women?

They are.

I can't describe it to you.

I'm lucky.

Have they released any others?

I don't think so.

So no one will know.

Oh, if only my father were here.

I think
even mother would be angry.

God in heaven, is this England?

You wait there a moment.
I'm getting dressed.

Dressed?

We're going out.

No, no. if I'm to play
the woman, I'll do it properly.

But where, Elizabeth?
What can we do?

We must see Mr. Karekin at once.

I'm sorry, madam,
it is not possible.

- I'm sorry, but I must see him.
- But, madam, at this hour?

Madam, I must insist.

JULIUS:
Who disturbs me, Loris?!

Oh, Mrs. Kirbridge
and Miss, uh...

ELIZABETH:
We realize it's early, but...

- What time is it?
ELIZABETH: 8:00.

8:00! God in heaven,
I never rise before 10:00.

- Loris.
- Mr. Karekin --

Do you think I'm interested
at 8:00 in the morning?

You overestimate my goodwill,
Mrs. Kirbridge.

But surely you...

Surely, you show
all the arrogance I expected.

You may turn.

I rise at 10:00.

Besides which,
it is a well-known fact

that I have no truck with ladies
before noon.

It's my inflexible rule
and why I have never married.

But you were kind yesterday.

Goodness,
you sound almost feminine.

You haven't introduced
your friend,

though I saw her
the other night.

Ellen Bouverie.
She's been in prison.

You see.

I said
they wouldn't keep them long.

Only she is out.
The others are...

Please help me.

You must hear what's happening.
It's dreadful.

Anything dreadful at this hour
would spoil my day.

ELIZABETH:
But there's no one else.

Ellen, tell him.

Because we won't eat,
they're using a tube.

They have this long rubber tube
and a funnel.

Four of the women hold you
down -- each arm, each leg.

They put a block in your mouth
to keep it open

and force the tube
right down your throat,

right down into your stomach.

If you vomit,
and most can't help it, they...

push the tube up your nose.

It's some kind of hot liquid
they pour in.

It's quite frightful.

The law of the land
is frightful.

I'm sorry, Ellen.
It's a waste of time.

We'll leave you
to your decadence, Mr. Karekin.

I'm sorry to have troubled you,

and I hope
I never see you again.

- Come, Ellen.
- What did you expect me to do?

Rose is in there,
enduring that horror.

Oh, Rose, yes.

Loris...

Do sit down, ladies.

We are none of us at our best
at this hour of the morning,

and Miss Bouverie looks quite...

Loris, a bottle of the
Heidsieck '95 and three glasses.

Oui, monsieur.

ELIZABETH:
Champagne at such a time?

JULIUS:
It is ideal at any time.

In the evening,
it smoothes the way to love.

At midday, it is an excellent
aid to the digestion.

At this hour, I'm not sure,
but it will offer some benefit.

You look most charming,
Mrs. Kirbridge.

I find the thought of alcohol
as degrading as I find you, sir.

I have lost ground with you.

You never gained any.

Come, Ellen.

A bargain.

You will drink champagne with me
when your Rose is free.

When?

As soon as your Rose is free.

Perhaps.

[Telephone ringing]

- Should I?
- Well, I'm not.

Hello? [ Clears throat]
The Bellamy residence.

- Oh, Mr. Hudson.
- Oh.

Are you still in -- in Scotland?

Yes.

Uh, uh...

Oh. Oh, everything's fine,
Mr. Hudson.

Yes.
Oh, right as rain.

Rose?

You want to speak to Rose?

Oh, Mr. Hudson, uh, she's out
at the shops at the moment.

Yes, I-l know it's early,
Mr. Hudson,

but you know what Rose is.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

I'll tell her, Mr. Hudson.

Edward, you lied to Mr. Hudson.

[Thump]

Madam's back.

Are you off up?

No. She'll ring
if she wants something.

The thing for us to do now
is to go out

and chain ourselves
to some railings with a placard.

What good would that do?

Oh, really, you're so stupid.
It's all stupid.

Elizabeth!
- Well, it is.

Women are weak.

If we weren't, we'd be helping
Rose, and we're helpless.

Well, aren't we?

A glass, Arthur?

A glass, Arthur?

It's too early for me.

This new development
is disturbing.

ARTHUR:
Development?

Yesterday, the women convicted
in Holloway were fed by force.

- Ah.
JULIUS: By stomach tube.

May I ask how you know?

There can be no secrecy in
public life, but, uh, yesterday?

I heard of it
from Sir Gilbert Tuften,

the president
of the Royal College.

He and I are old friends.

You're paying towards
his new charity clinic

and an eventual knighthood

-for yourself.
- Oh, you wrong me, sir.

I seek no knighthood,
merely to help my friends.

And you think I need help?

Sir Gilbert is most upset.

He regards force feeding
as barbaric and dangerous.

His Majesty's government
does not.

JULIUS: The government
does know about it?

It's for the women's own good.

If they won't eat,
they must be fed.

- It's hospital treatment.
- Not a punishment?

It's --
What is that you're holding?

This is a letter,
the draft of a letter.

Sir Gilbert sent it to me
for my opinion.

He knows I have so many friends
in Fleet Street.

It's a letter he proposes
sending to The Times.

They'll publish, of course.
Sir Gilbert --

ARTHUR:
What does it say?

Oh, but it's confidential,
until it's published.

But, then, you and I have known
each other a long time.

I don't have all day, Julius.

No, well.

"Dear sir..."

He says
Where he's heard about...

Go on, man.

"And I submit
that such treatment,

when the patient resists, is
attended by the gravest risks."

"When the patient resists."

Yes, resist they must.

"I submit that accidents are
liable, even likely, to occur

and that the health
of the patient

may be permanently damaged.

In my opinion,

and I have no doubt many of my
colleagues will agree with me,

the treatment
is unwise and inhumane.

And to try labelling it
'hospital treatment'...

is a gross libel.

Hospitals in this country
hold no place for brutality."

There is more.

He's sending that to The Times?

If I advise.

And will you?

There'll be an outcry.

Without a doubt.
Sir Gilbert can muster big guns.

I reckon those people who find
the suffragettes laughable...

Which I do not.

Irritating and dangerous,
but not laughable.

A wave of sympathy at least.

I can't help wondering, Julius,
if you have a personal interest.

Oh, that's impossible.
I already have the vote.

I only want to help my friends.

If you would like to...

...modify your point of view,

for the good of the party,
finish it today,

you'll hardly look heroic,

but you will reduce your value

as a target for a lot
of criticism and ill will.

You know I cannot say.

I must consult my masters.

I don't think you have masters.

Good morning, Julius.

Such an impatient man, Loris.

Now I must go out, must I not?

The day is beginning.

Offer her a bit of me cake.

What have I done?

It's all my fault,
every bit of it.

-[ Footsteps ]
- I should be in prison, not...

I was not sure
your servants would be here,

so I took the liberty...

What have you done
about Rose and the others?

What I can.

Leave us, please.

I have wasted my power for you.

A man has so much power here,
so much influence there.

He hoards them.

People may owe you one favour,
rarely two.

With what result have you wasted
your power, Mr. Karekin?

Who knows?

You must know!

Then you are ignorant of
the real world, Mrs. Kirbridge.

You strike a match,
throw it down.

Who knows
to what it will set fire?

- I must know.
- You must know...patience.

It's important for a man,
essential for a woman.

Patience!
Must women always be patient?!

You are not a suffragette,
Mrs. Kirbridge.

You're not the type.

Miss Bouverie, perhaps,
and I raise my hat to her.

- But you are a very selfish...
- I'm --

...and somewhat spoiled
young lady.

-[ Hoofbeats ]
- Oh, very charming...

as selfish ladies often are.

Ah, they're right on time.

RUBY:
Someone's coming.

The cab is paid for.

Rose!

Oh, my dear Rose!

My Rosie.

I'd be very much obliged,
Miss Lizzie...

Yes, Rose, what?
Anything.

...if I could have a cup
of that tea.

Yes, yes, yes.
Come. Come, have mine.

I have to thank you, sir.

Well, I don't know what he done,
but we're all out.

I warned you I stored up favours,
and you made a bargain with me.

- Y-Yes.
- Here, Rose.

Edward, do you have the key
for the wine cellar?

Yes, madam,
but I'm not supposed to use it.

Go down and fetch a bottle

of my father's
very best champagne wine

and serve it
in the morning room.

You must go up and lie down now,
Rose.

I'll come up and see you later.

You must be...

Oh, it's all my fault.

Rosie, I'm so sorry.

Look, just leave me be,
Miss Lizzie. Leave me be.

Another cup of this tea,
and I'll be right as a trivet.

If you'll come this way, sir.

It weren't right.

Whatever it's for,
it weren't right.

What they did to you?

And what you did.

All that shouting and hurting.

It's not right,
whatever it's for.

I know, Rose.

I really do.

And you're not gonna do it
anymore?

- Well...
- No, Rose, she isn't.

Well, that's all right, then.

- Here, Rose.
- Hmm?

Is it all right
about the cellar?

Don't keep asking questions.
Just do as your told.

- Yes, Rose.
- And, Ruby?

Yes, Rose?

Has this floor seen
a scrubbing brush this morning?

Oh, no, Rose,
what with all the --

Well, you can get about it now,
then, can't you?

Yes, Rose.

[Sobbing lightly]

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