Ripped By mstoll
There's a telephone call for you, Mr Selfridge.
It's Inspector Purkiss from Bond Street police station.
I see.
Of course.
The police aren't pursuing a prosecution against you this time.
But they said that you were in a compromising position.
I didn't do anything!
You will not leave this house or speak on the phone!
You're not serious?
I'm just glad your mother is not here to witness your shame.
It was fun while it lasted.
Are we going to reopen?
I'm working on it. Just need a bit of time.
Gordon Selfridge, Deputy Manager.
Pleased to meet you.
Gordon Selfridge, Deputy Manager.
Good morning. Gordon Selfridge, Deputy Manager.
Good morning to you too, Mr Gordon.
Deputy Manager. Gordon!
Barely out of short trousers, and I'm expected to take orders from him.
Finish your breakfast. You haven't touched your eggs!
I can't.
I feel sick.
Why did he even bother asking me to apply if he already knew
he was going to give it to his son? It's humiliating.
You're still his right hand man, whatever title his son has.
Exactly!
And all the work, and none of the recognition!
Can't we be grateful for what we've got?
A roof over our heads, healthy children, each other.
Well...
If he thinks I'm taking his son in hand,
he's got another thing coming, hmm?
Goodbye, my dear.
Miss Pertree.
Did I tell you to move the tortoiseshell rouge cases?
I'm sure I haven't touched a thing, Mrs Edwards.
Well, there's three missing.
The Autumnal Shades eye shadow is gone too.
Miss Calthorpe, have you been messing with my counter?
I would never be so bold.
You're quite certain you haven't touched this display?
I know better than to interfere with your work, Mrs Edwards.
Then we've got a thief.
Well, don't look at me.
Whoever it is has had a tawny boater off us and all.
Ground floor, please. Thank you.
I know that you were the natural candidate.
You have been justified in assuming the job was yours.
You're a Selfridge.
There's no more natural a choice.
I appreciate you being so magnanimous, Mr Grove.
I'm content to be a shoulder to lean upon.
Mrs Edwards, I saw the way you looked at me. It was accusatory.
Mr Gordon, I have just been accused of being a thief!
I haven't accused anybody of anything!
Ladies, please, one at a time.
I merely said that it makes sense that the people who came in first this morning
might have been the ones to take it.
- I've been here for a long time. - That is not what I said, Miss Calthorpe.
None of my girls would do such a thing. I can vouch for all of them.
I wasn't insinuating that. You were the one making accusations.
- I am not making any accusation! - Ladies, be quiet!
Ah, Mr Gordon. It would appear Fashion has become a victim of crime.
You're not alone. Now, Mrs Edwards, what are you missing?
Tortoiseshell make-up cases and Autumnal Shades eye shadow, but I can...
Miss Calthorpe, what about you?
A tawny boater with a taupe ribbon.
- Miss Mardle? - Well, a burnt sienna day dress, and...
Everything that's missing is brown.
Well, one would hardly describe burnt sienna as brown.
- Tortoiseshell is a combination of colours. - Quite, quite, ladies.
If you'll excuse me for a moment,
I think I'll have an answer for you very shortly.
- Ah, well, there you are. - Nobody was accusing you of anything.
- Yes, you were... - Ladies!
Monsieur Longchamp.
I understood you were to arrive this afternoon.
Ah, Monsieur Gordon. Pleased to see you again.
I didn't want to waste any time getting started on my first window display.
On that subject,
it's probably for the best if you inform the departments
before you appropriate their stock.
That way we can avoid any unnecessary excitement amongst the staff.
People will always moan.
They hate anything that interferes with their little routine.
You know, their...
their "just so."
And their, "This is how we do it here."
But the truth is the only thing we can count on is change.
You and I are young.
We are the future.
If we dare to grasp it.
Yes. Yes, that's all well and good.
It certainly...
It is only a prototype.
Gosh.
Harry Selfridge is here to see you.
Ask him in.
Victor.
Mr Selfridge.
Wow. What a place you've got here.
Congratulations.
If I can keep it open. The police have been flexing their muscles.
Apparently I'm not sufficiently contributing to their pensions.
I suppose you must know that my daughter was caught up in those events.
Oh, I can only apologise.
Hmm.
Did you notice who she was with?
I fear that she's fallen in with the wrong crowd.
It wasn't Violette's fault.
I have nothing but respect for you and I respect your daughter.
You? The police report said that she was...
They exaggerated. We did nothing untoward.
My children are still reeling from the death of their mother.
Violette is not herself at this moment.
I will ask you to leave her alone.
Am I making myself clear?
Perfectly clear.
Ladies, if you could all follow me, I have found our missing merchandise.
How is it I haven't been allowed in here before?
Come on in. Come on in, don't be shy.
I've always fancied myself as a creative person.
- You? Only thing you make is trouble. - Hey!
May I introduce you to our new Head of Display...
Pierre Longchamp.
Bonjour tout le monde.
Um, please do forgive me. This is, um...
It's a work in progress.
Looks like Mr Gordon's first appointment might work out rather well.
How does it turn round?
- Oh, he's so clever. - Marvellous. It's like magic.
He was always going to inherit the store, you know.
It was always going to be his.
It's moving.
All right, everyone, entertainment's over. Back to your positions.
Come on, come on, chop-chop.
You're quite the showman, aren't you? Bit of your old man in you, I reckon.
Look at me, I'm shaking like a leaf.
You were terrific.
Morning.
Ah, Miss Webb.
Pleasure to see you again.
Is there anything one of our ladies can help you with?
I'm here on business today. I have a meeting with Mr Selfridge.
Oh, very good. How are the plans for the Selfridge estate?
Coming along nicely.
Our architect has created all the plans, including the sections and elevations
for the cottages, and to be frank, we're only waiting on the money now.
Is there a problem? Harry?
Well, only that I've underestimated
the English love for bureaucracy.
I've booked engineers. And builders.
- And I... - Come to dinner with me tonight.
I want you to meet my family.
Harry, this is a business meeting. We have business to discuss.
Is that a "yes"?
It's a little fast.
I'm asking you to dinner, not to marry me.
It's not a good idea.
Well, the truth is
my daughter is driving me to distraction, but if you're there, she'll have to behave.
What can I say?
There's been a delay. The banks are being slow.
Could be stringing you along while he investigates us.
If he were suspicious, he would not have invited me to meet his family.
Jesus, is he in love with you?
I don't know.
And if it means we get enough money to start a new life, then it's worth it.
I can't wait to get out of this city.
Do you really think it'll be so different in America?
I want to be able to walk down the street without looking over my shoulder.
No one's luck lasts forever.
All right.
Here's to a fresh start.
I went to a club. I did not do anything wrong!
Violette, you were arrested!
I'm being imprisoned in my own house! I'm not...
I'll go.
Gordon, why don't you tell everyone about your first day at the helm?
Of course. Well, uh...
So, you were working with Harry, and now you're his lover.
You have investor and suitor, all in one.
- Marie. - Very convenient.
I beg your pardon?
Oh, excuse me. I meant no offence, as my English is not perfect.
I meant "fortunate".
Nice of you to join us, Violette.
You remember Miss Webb?
- I hear you're dating my father. - Oh!
Well, it's early days.
- A word to the wise... - Violette!
There was me thinking I was going to be bored tonight.
Other people's families are usually so dull.
You should be open. You must be losing money hand over fist.
Same terms as before?
It's triple now.
- You're not serious? - You crossed me, Colleano.
You've got to pay.
I can't make that.
Thanks for the drink.
So, the staff went from wanting to kill Monsieur Longchamp
to eating out of his hands.
I don't remember approving a new window display.
You did leave me in-charge, Pa.
If you'll excuse me, I must pack for my business trip tomorrow.
What trip?
I leave for Paris in the morning. Thought I'd said.
How long will you be gone?
I'm meeting a potential backer, so as long as it takes.
- How long is that? - As long as it takes. I just said.
Let's all have coffee in the drawing room, hmm?
May I be excused, or is coffee compulsory too?
She must be punishing me for something. Why else would she be dating a club owner?
Well, the first man a girl falls in love with is often just like her father.
We're attracted to what's familiar.
We usually get over it.
I'm nothing like Victor Colleano.
If you don't want to lose her, you have to stop treating her like a little girl.
This might be a good moment for you to speak to Serge.
Perhaps it is best if we don't interfere.
- What happens between husband and wife... - We did agree.
Very well, of course.
Whatever you say.
What is it, Mama?
- What do you want? - Rosalie is not happy.
Her grandmother spoke to me.
What is my marriage to do with Lois Selfridge? Or you, for that matter?
Because we live with them. We need them.
- You need them to pay your bills. - Serge...
Everyone is this house is expecting me to fail,
and this is my chance to make something of myself.
A marriage also needs tending if it is to grow.
Talk to her.
About what?
Americans love to talk about their feelings.
Oh, please, God, no.
Your father and I didn't set you a very good example.
We seldom saw each other, let alone shared our feelings.
Your father would rather have shot himself.
I don't know how to be the husband she wants.
Then treat her like an attractive girl you do not yet know.
You never have any trouble making them happy.
Billy's been loitering on the street.
Mr Grove walked straight past him yesterday.
Thank goodness he's too caught up with this nonsense at work
to pay any attention to what's going on around him.
If Mr Grove finds out Ernest isn't his, it will be the end of us. I know it will.
Well, we...
We just have to give Billy what he wants.
We do it in secret.
Let me sort everything out.
And please don't worry yourself about it any more.
It's all going to be fine.
Oh, it's lovely.
How does he do it?
- Oh! - Grace!
- What have you done? - Sorry, I...
Don't touch it! It's completely ruined.
Clumsy idiot!
Monsieur Longchamp, that is no way to speak to a lady,
let alone one who is working in our store.
Monsieur Gordon, I did not see you there.
You must excuse me, mademoiselle. I...
I apologise.
Apology accepted.
It is pretty, huh?
Yes, quite.
But the best...
The best is yet to come.
I wish to bring the essence of France to England,
the beautiful garments that all French women wear,
but yet I...
I cannot find anywhere in this gargantuan temple to conformity.
Where are...
- I'm not quite sure... - Exactement.
They're not in here.
We could bring les dessous affriolants to London,
but at a fraction of the cost.
Yes, yes, I see.
My display will bring every London woman to Selfridges,
dragging her husband and his chequebook behind her.
I'll try.
Do not try, Mr Selfridge.
Do.
Thank you for sticking up for me.
What else was I going to do? You're my girl.
I mean, if you'd like to be.
Uh, I'll think about it.
All right.
I've thought about it, and the answer is yes.
Mr Crabb.
I have an order from Monsieur Longchamp for a new window display.
Monsieur Longchamp and I are very concerned that English women
are being denied the dessous affriolants.
Mr Grove?
Oh! Uh... Excuse me. Sorry.
It's all French to me.
Well, who are we to stand in Mr Gordon's way?
Thank you, Mr Grove.
I wasn't sure you'd come.
That's what you want from me, isn't it?
Shopping and gossip and marriage.
I want you to marry one day,
but gentlemen won't marry a woman who's been disgraced.
Perhaps I don't want to marry a gentleman.
Why don't you come work with me on the Selfridge estate?
Why on earth would that be of interest to me?
Because it's a cause that your mother would have loved.
Mmm.
Now, have you two declared a truce?
My father has suggested that I come and work for you both.
That would be wonderful.
The building and planning work are all in hand.
What I really need is for somebody to organise fundraising for furniture.
Raffle tickets and rattling buckets?
No, thank you.
It's no good providing servicemen's families with homes if they have nowhere to sit.
I suppose I could organise a party.
I'm always having to go to friends' charity events.
They can finally repay the favour.
That sounds just the thing.
I have to confess,
I'm incredibly envious of you.
Good heavens. Why?
You have your own career, your own life.
I don't know how you managed it.
But I didn't have a choice.
Come on.
Quick turn around the Burlington Arcade?
It won't be half an hour.
I'm going to go home to Frank.
- Night. - Night.
Oh! Sorry.
You can't spare a penny for men who've fought for King and Country?
All right, Kitty?
Kitty! Kitty, it's me!
It's George!
Let's get out of here.
It's all right.
It's all right. I've got you.
We were wondering if you needed any help.
I'm fine, thank you.
One thing I know is how to throw a party.
Oh, no.
No, no, no, no, not him.
And definitely not her.
This will not do at all.
A guest either be charming, beautiful or rich. Preferably all three.
What concern is it of yours?
Your father asked me to be part of this family,
so you must let me save you from yourself.
I also have a list.
The right people. Hmm?
- And who are male and unmarried. - Mmm.
You must meet a man, get married, and fly this coop.
If you would like to invite these men, I'm happy for you to.
There are invitations and envelopes here. Help yourself.
We don't mind rolling up our sleeves, do we, Marie?
Grandma, do you mind if I use the telephone? I do need to hire a band.
Of course. Go ahead.
Shall we get started?
I have... a headache.
Colleano's.
Oh. Hello, Elsa.
- May I speak to Victor, please? - Hello, Violette.
I'm afraid he's out at the moment.
Shall I ask him to return your call?
Thank you.
Victor.
Michael Regan.
I know who you are.
It is a nice spot. I've always thought so.
- I'm not selling. - The last thing I want is a club.
It's too much like hard work.
Did the pair of you work this routine up between you?
Purkiss comes in, turns the screws on, and then you waltz in and save the day.
Oh, he's no friend of mine, but I know how he operates.
That's why I make it my business to keep his boss in my pocket.
And in return, you'd expect...
Nothing.
Nothing much. Bit of gambling.
Roulette table would fit nicely back there.
You'd have this place from under me within a week.
I already told you I don't want your club,
but unless you deal with Purkiss,
you won't have it either.
Thank you. Goodbye.
Did you find out how they're back on the street?
Lord Loxley put up their bail.
Loxley? What's he got to do with anything?
His new foundation's paying for their legal representation, too.
It's all part of this war with Harry Selfridge.
Harry stands up for you female workers,
so Loxley champions unemployed servicemen, says you're taking their jobs.
Charlie was always a nasty piece of work.
Rumour at the front was he did time before the war.
Is that so?
Silas hasn't got the brains he was born with.
He'll do anything Charlie tells him to.
Right. Well, I'm going to see Lord Loxley. He needs to know what these men are capable of.
That's not a good idea.
Well, nor was getting those men drunk in the first place,
but somebody's got to do something.
I'll go.
Well...
- I should be getting on. - I'll show you out.
If there's anything you need, anything at all,
you can always rely on me.
You already saved me once today.
I appreciate it.
I really do.
Good heavens!
He's not in, Mr Crabb.
I need an appointment with him at the earliest opportunity.
It is a matter of the utmost urgency.
Come to Paris with me.
- What? - You have half an hour to pack a case.
What is this?
Why the sudden change of heart?
- We've barely spoken for days, and now this? - Shh!
- I never know what you want from me. - Hmm?
Okay! Serge, stop!
Serge's invited me to Paris. Isn't that wonderful?
Darling.
I'm sure you'll have a lovely time.
Such a happy couple.
Let's hope they're still smiling when they return.
We've been notified that you intend to sell five percent of your holding in the company.
I've been asked to prepare the documents of sale.
Well, it's the only way that I can raise the capital Miss Webb and I need to build.
You realise that if you do this, you lose your majority stake?
It wasn't an easy decision,
but between us, the Selfridge family will still control the store.
I feel some personal culpability in this matter, Mr Selfridge.
If I hadn't spoken out against the store loaning you the money,
you wouldn't be in this predicament.
You did what you believed to be right,
and I respect you for it.
I beg you to reconsider.
Selfridges will no longer be yours.
Trust me. I know what I'm doing.
Now, where do I sign?
Mr Frank Edwards is at the door. He does not have an appointment.
Show him in.
Whatever game you're playing with Harry Selfridge, it doesn't include my wife.
I'm a grown man. I don't play games.
Then why stand bail for the men who attacked her?
Ah, allegedly attacked her.
They're nothing to you.
On the contrary. They're a tragic example
of how our once-venerated war heroes are being persecuted...
Heroes? Do you know what they did?
No, but a judge does,
and he believed them worthy of bail.
I merely provided it.
I've got a court report here of a case against Charlie Copperstone.
He served time for assaulting a woman.
He wasn't a hero before the war, and service hasn't made him one.
Don't you reformers believe in "innocent until proven guilty"?
A big public trial like this will provide a platform for their cause.
And let you restore your character.
Well, any positive reflection on myself is merely incidental.
Meanwhile, my wife gets put through the wringer by every newspaper in the country.
Which is an irony coming from you, Frank.
I look forward to seeing you in court.
That article about you is just the start.
I think you should consider dropping the charges.
What? After all I've been through?
If I could think of another way... I'm just trying to stop you being hurt!
Can we not try to put this behind us?
No. I can't!
There's no way those men are walking away scot-free!
What are you doing here?
You know how you said if there was anything you could do to help?
Well, turns out there is.
You can't tell Frank.
Good evening.
Lady Henry, how lovely to see you.
Miss Francis, have you been badgered to buy a raffle ticket?
Violette, this is Lord Foregill of Foregill Textiles.
Charmed.
He's not a real lord, but his money is real enough.
- Marie. - He's also deaf.
We're going to exceed our target.
I have to say, I am really impressed.
- You are? - Mmm-hmm.
That means a lot. Thank you.
Oh.
I see why my father likes you.
Can an old man have a dance with his daughter?
Of course, Pa.
I'm very proud of you.
Thanks, Pa.
George...
You can do this.
I know you can.
I'll be right here by your side.
I won't let anything happen to you.
Come on.
George. What are you doing here?
Read this.
This is who your friend really is,
the one you're lying to protect.
- I didn't lie to no one. - I wasn't the first girl he attacked.
And I won't be the last, either.
Unless you do the right thing and tell the truth.
- Leave me alone. - Do you have a sister, Silas?
- What of it? - What if it were her?
Are you intimidating my friend?
I'll have to speak to my solicitor about that.
This is who Charlie Copperstone is!
He did time for bashing a girl's face in.
And now, he's back in court for trying to do worse to my friend!
- He's a liar. - You're a disgrace to the uniform.
George...
Give it here.
Take it from me.
Do the right thing.
Come on, Kitty.
- What are we celebrating? - I have secured the funds for the project.
How much do you need to begin work?
That's fantastic.
- Uh, 4,000 to secure building materials. - Mmm-hmm.
- It'll reduce costs if we buy in bulk. - Mmm-hmm.
- 3,000 for labour.
I'll have 7,000 put into the account tomorrow morning.
What's going on?
Thanks.
Purkiss won't be troubling us any more.
You must be George. I'm Regan.
- We're expanding, George. - A games room in the back.
Roulette.
- Just gambling? - You'll barely know we're here.
We're back in business.
A-ha!
Mr Gordon.
Mr Grove, what can I do for you?
Monsieur Longchamp's dessous affriolants have arrived from his designer.
I thought you might like to sign for them,
as it's your personal project and responsibility.
Of course.
- Thank you, Mr Grove. - Thank you.
This I am looking forward to.
Miss Blenkinsop, um,
what does les dessous affriolants mean?
My French is a little rusty.
Um...
Here we are.
Oh!
Oh, my good Lord.
So that we can prevent running out of essential goods.
There's no point in doing it in the first place...
- Lf no one acts on it. - Uh, Mr Gordon.
It'll have to wait, Miss Calthorpe. This is pressing.
It can't.
I'm sure it can. Now, I understand...
Mr Longchamp is putting women's knickers in Selfridges' window.
Oh, my word.
These denigrate all women.
Well, I think they're beautiful.
That's as maybe, Miss Calthorpe, but I for one will not be jettisoning my girdle for them.
Connie!
Hi, Pa.
You knew!
Oh, Kitty.
What are you doing here?
Silas has withdrawn his statement supporting Charlie.
He's made a new one telling the truth.
Charlie's had to change his plea to "guilty". He's going to prison.
Oh...
Oh, thank goodness.
Oh, it's good to see you happy.
I don't think I'd realised the toll this had taken on you.
I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry about everything.
It's all right, Frank.
Everything's going to be all right.
Take me to lunch.
We've got something to celebrate.
Why would we leave?
The job's not finished.
Seven thousand pounds will be in the business account by now.
I'm a signatory. We clear it out and get steerage to New York.
What about the government money?
If we wait, we can get four times that.
Harry will expect me to hire a team.
A civil engineer will see straight through me.
- It's too risky. - You're losing your nerve.
No, I'm not losing my nerve.
You've gone soft.
I have not.
Prove it.
Stay in for the long game.
Fine.
"Downright offensive, incredibly unfitting..."
Ah, yes, here we are. "These outrageous French camisoles
"have no place in a woman's wardrobe, much less a high street window.
"This time, Harry Selfridge has gone too far."
Well, let's take a look at the damage.
Congratulations, son. You hit it out of the park.
Thanks, Pa.
I'm very impressed with your initiative, Mr Gordon. Aren't you, Mr Grove?
Yes. Yes, very.
- Don't do it again. - No, Pa.
Well done. Well, congratulations.
I was on the fence, but I'm a believer now.
He's got my eyes. Hasn't he got my eyes?
You've got your mum's nose.
Although that's no blessing.
Oi!
I've brought you a photograph of him.
There's a girl at work who likes me.
She's asked me out.
- Do you like her? - She's a bit daft.
And she's got these teeth.
I mean, she's not you.
- But I can't have you, can I? - Billy.
I need you to say it.
Go out with your girl.
Teeth it is, then.
See you soon.
Billy!
Doris!
Doris?
Doris. Doris, can you hear me?
I want you to read your own sentences when I come back.
A sentence each from the next chapter.
Miss Mardle.
Josie, what is it?
Ripped By mstoll