Ripped By mstoll
It's very Christian of you to bear the responsibility of the wake, Miss Mardle.
Well, it's been a very difficult time for Mr Grove, it's the least I can do.
Even so, you're a loyal friend.
Of all the people...
She was too young.
It only seems like yesterday we were all starting out together.
Mr Selfridge, we weren't expecting you.
I came to pay my respects.
Is it a suitable time?
Yes, of course, Mr Grove is in the dining room.
Please come in.
- Can I come in? - No.
You can't. It's not appropriate. Please go.
She's only just been buried. Give it time, Billy.
I don't even know where Doris is laid.
The western side of Kensal Green.
For the morning sun.
The number 26 bus takes you there.
What a world.
Chief.
You didn't have to come.
No. Doris was one of us.
Thank you for the flowers.
Would you like some tea, Mr Selfridge?
Uh, thank you, Miss Mardle, yes.
Who was that young man?
Uh, young man?
Uh, oh, it was a delivery boy.
I'll get you the tea, Mr Selfridge.
How you holding up?
It's all right, Roger.
What was she doing
running across a road?
It's difficult to believe it was God's will.
They're crying for her.
The children.
How were they when you told them?
They don't know.
I said she was away, visiting family.
I've been in your shoes.
My children got me through.
They're stronger than you think.
Small piece of virtue in the column today.
"The music, cocktails, and charm of the enigmatic Mr Colleano
"make for an intoxicating evening."
Oh, just here to give us the reviews?
I have some friends who I would like welcomed.
They'll be in and out as they see fit.
Who are they?
Just friends, George.
Just leave their names with Elsa.
Things going well backstage?
I'll get the rake.
How are you working it?
Well, those in the know ask for the club room.
We vet them and then we take them through here.
Had a little flutter in here yet, George?
Gambling's not my thing.
You're missing out on one of life's joys.
If you say so.
Think you're a bit above this?
Course he doesn't.
I can speak for myself.
I don't think I'm above this. No.
My only concern is for my friend and our club.
Both of which are in the pink at the moment.
Wouldn't you say?
I hear, what's her name,
the Selfridge girl, hasn't been here much of late.
She's got a name.
Violette.
All over between you two?
Selfridge bring you to heel, did he?
Shame.
She's a draw.
I'm afraid I'm not like you, Mr Regan,
looking for angles the whole time.
Dogs is dogs, Victor.
Thank you for minding them.
Thank you.
Children.
Um...
I have something to tell you.
Uh, Mr Crabb.
I have an appointment, Miss Plunkett.
He isn't there.
It's almost 5:00!
We have the report to finalise for the shareholders' meeting.
Do you know when he'll return?
Your guess is as good as mine.
After the wake, my first thought was to see you.
Oh, it sounds like such a difficult day.
Hmm.
Brings a lot of feelings back up to the surface.
Well, life is fragile.
I mean, we think we know how it'll turn out, but
nothing is guaranteed.
That's why we have to work hard here and now.
To achieve what we desire.
And I know you.
As soon as this project's up and running,
you'll be on to the next grand Selfridge scheme.
Sounds like you want it all to be over, Miss Webb.
No...
Not at all.
Let's go out.
Where?
Wherever the wind takes us.
Tabac Blond by Caron.
Straight from Paris.
What do you think?
It's beautiful.
No, Harry, I couldn't possibly take it.
Oh, no, it's okay. I know the owner.
No, we shouldn't be here, it feels wrong.
Oh, we must all do things that feel illicit sometimes.
Fashion next, I think.
Come on.
How are things at the store?
I'm sure Gordon could do with me around, getting him out of scrapes.
Mr Selfridge has made it very clear there is no rush for you to return.
Do you want to go to them?
I told them when I came home.
That must have been terribly difficult.
One cannot hide news of that magnitude.
No.
I have something for you.
It was Doris'.
She always spoke so highly of you.
I know she would have liked you to have it.
I can't accept it.
It's a thank you.
You don't have to thank me.
I don't have many friends.
Always so busy with work and the family.
Something like this makes you realise
your support has been beyond the call of duty.
Please.
I shall keep it as a memento of Doris.
Good.
Good night, Roger.
Hello, Bill. How are you? Are you all right?
Gentlemen, would you like a table?
No, thanks.
Evening, gents.
These are friends of Mr Regan.
You're looking for the club room?
No, Mr Colleano.
Ah, you look beautiful.
Straight up or with a kick?
Oh, no, straight.
I'm giddy enough already.
Oh!
I love spending time with you like this.
So, tell me, Mr Selfridge.
Do you often run riot with ladies in your store?
You know, this is the first time.
Mmm?
I find that hard to believe.
If I owned this place, I'd be here all the time.
Mmm.
I'm going to tell you something not very people know.
I'm not the owner of Selfridges any more.
Not outright, anyhow.
What?
I had a little trouble raising the finance for our estate, so
I had to sell off some of my shares.
How many?
5%.
Takes my personal holding below 50%, so...
- It's not a problem. - You shouldn't have done that.
Why not?
Well, the store is everything to you.
The store will still be here in 100 years.
I care about what's important today.
The budget can cover sideboards if we opt for the cheaper tables.
I'll see how the numbers work out.
Now, living rooms.
Late night catching up with you?
Oh, um, yes, a little.
Why don't you leave me to finish up?
Ooh!
Well, are you sure?
Your father's asked me to attend the shareholders' meeting this morning.
He does like an audience.
So things are still difficult between the two of you?
I'm finding a way through it.
Good.
Go on, I'll be fine.
Oh, thank you.
Keeping up to date with the Paris Peace Conference?
Horses, actually.
I thought she'd never leave.
Nancy and I have a lot to do.
Want some help?
What do you know about furnishing soldiers' houses?
Plenty.
First, I want to show you something.
What do you reckon?
Yeah, I know it's no Rolls Royce or a Bugatti, but...
Handsome.
How can you afford it?
Club's doing all right.
Why don't you take me there tonight?
I can tell Pa I'm going to the theatre with a friend.
Yeah.
Maybe.
How about we get the wind in our hair first?
I would have preferred it if you'd looked this over yesterday, Mr Selfridge.
The accounts aren't the most dazzling, but I've tried to outline the mitigating factors.
First class, Mr Crabb. Shall we go?
Um, have you read the addendum?
Of course, I adore your addendums, Mr Crabb.
- Guess who's back. - Ah!
What a surprise, I thought you weren't back till the weekend.
We caught an early boat train.
Serge has business to attend to, and...
Are you free for tea?
I would love nothing more, but we are on our way to a shareholders' meeting.
Business, business.
Well, as shareholders, you're more than welcome to join us.
No.
Or you could take tea at the emporium.
With my compliments.
Oh, how generous. What a very kind man you are.
Please, don't let me keep you.
Until this evening, then.
How lovely.
And I want to order some new headed paper. De Bolotoff and Disabour Enterprises.
Who is this Disabour?
A new business partner, Mother, I told you.
Oh.
He's an aviator and we have grand plans.
Shall we?
You can charge the stationary to Rosalie's account.
Thank you, Madame Selfridge, but I have capital of my own.
I have some premises to look at later.
Would you like to come?
I'm meeting friends. I'll see you at home.
Bye. Bye, Grandma.
Goodbye.
Something happened in Paris.
Doesn't it always?
I thought these could go faster!
You saying I can't keep up with you?
Is that what you're saying?
- All right, hold on. - Ahhh!
Whoo!
Sales are a little flat.
But Selfridges remains number one on Oxford Street, why?
Because we continue to understand what the customers want.
They want hope.
They want life.
Sensuality.
Death has stalked the fields of Europe for too long.
Now is the time for all of us
to look to the future.
Motion to approve the report and accounts, say aye.
- Aye! - Thank you.
Any questions? No.
I have one.
How much longer are you going to take advantage of your shareholders,
Mr Selfridge?
What are you doing here?
Answer the question.
Lord Loxley, this is a most improper invasion.
You need to be a shareholder to attend this meeting.
Oh, will 5% do?
Picked them up for a song not two weeks ago.
Let's call the meeting to an end and reconvene.
I'm not running from him.
Lord Loxley.
If you have something to say, let's hear it.
I've learnt of certain facts
that show Mr Selfridge runs this company
as if it were his personal piggy bank.
What facts?
Erm...
A residence at Arlington Street,
four vehicles, allowances for each of his children.
Is it not true that all of these, uh, expenses,
goes through the Chairman's account?
Is that true, Mr Selfridge?
Mr Selfridge's children are ambassadors for the store.
Ambassadors.
He has committed no crime.
Technically, perhaps not.
But what does it say about the man?
It says he doesn't care.
It says he has lost interest in this company.
That is not true!
Oh.
Such loyalty.
From the young heir to the throne.
Your leader has thrown away his majority share.
He has sold his own shares whilst they were at rock-bottom prices.
What man in this room would put himself in such a position?
I sold those shares to raise money
for the Selfridge estate.
Your vanity projects are of no benefit to this store.
How dare you!
Ah.
You must be Miss Webb.
I can see now why Mr Selfridge has spent all his time on his pet project.
That's enough!
Lord Loxley is correct.
The share prices did deflate,
which is why today I make you this promise.
Over the next three months, your share value will increase
no less than 10%.
You have my word.
Placing it all on red, Selfridge?
Thank you all for attending today.
Thank you.
10%? How on earth are we going to fulfil such a promise?
We'll find a way, Mr Crabb. We always do.
And those... That fan is very beautiful.
This fan is delightful.
I need to talk to you.
I feel wholly responsible.
Look, is there anything I can do?
No, I've got this covered.
Oh...
They'll say this was the beginning of the end.
They will not, of that I assure you.
We'll see.
Where'd you get that information?
Mr De Bolotoff was very forthcoming.
When we were friends.
Ah, by the way.
I'll be expecting a seat on the board.
You'll need more than my 5% to get anywhere near my board.
Oh, did I say I had 5%?
I should have said 7%.
Your son-in-law placed some of his wife's shares in the market last week,
which I believe entitles me to a seat.
See you at the next board meeting, Harry, old chum.
You have to accept that the arrangement is no longer possible.
But the boy is my own.
I know.
But Mrs Grove's husband is unaware of that.
- Then he'll have to be told. - No!
You can't do that.
You started this, Miss Mardle.
It's up to you to finish it.
It's great to get out of the club.
I've been looking forward to seeing you.
Thought I might've seen you at the wake.
I don't like them.
I remember sitting at Ma's.
Rain pouring down.
It was as though I was inside a bottle.
I wanted to scream or smash something.
Well, that's why I like you.
Oh, right.
Brought a little light reading, did ya?
Just in case you get bored?
Hey, give it back.
You said you were gonna help me, not tease me.
I'm sorry.
It's not easy figuring out how to furnish those houses.
I want to get it right.
All you need is a good table,
sturdy chairs,
and a comfortable bed.
Isn't that a bit spartan?
It's what the family men dreamt of in the trenches.
Table with kids around it.
Bed to curl up with the wife.
Do you reckon you could live in one of those houses?
Depends who it was with.
Gosh...
You open in three hours.
Mind if I drive?
Dancing and drinking awaits.
A good day, sir?
When Serge arrives home, tell him to come and see me.
I'll be in the drawing room.
Night, Miss Mardle.
She's been funny all day.
Who's in the mood for steak?
New place just opened on Barrett Street. Steaks direct from Argentina.
Would you like to join us for supper, Miss Mardle?
No, thank you.
- Can we get jelly? - Jelly?
Yeah, I love it. Especially with the fruit in it.
You're a connoisseur, Miss Hawkins.
Tell me to mind my own business, Miss Mardle.
But you appear to be carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Whatever's the matter?
Doris told me a few weeks ago.
I interfered, I...
Tried to do right.
I should have just left well alone.
Billy won't go away.
If I don't do something soon, I know he's going to tell Mr Grove
and I daren't think how that will turn out.
- He has to know. - No.
No, I can't tell him.
- Why? - Because I just...
I can't.
Is it because you don't want him thinking badly of you?
You've been carrying a heavy burden.
But he has to know.
Would you like me to accompany you?
No.
But thank you, Arthur.
Evening, Fraser.
Have I missed supper?
Mr Selfridge would like to speak with you, sir. He's in the drawing room.
I have to congratulate you on the staff you have in stationery.
They have been wonderfully helpful.
Have you been talking to Lord Loxley?
About our personal financial affairs?
What?
No.
Think, Serge.
We spoke when we were discussing the aerodrome, maybe.
But I didn't tell him anything he shouldn't have known.
What about Rosalie's Selfridge shares?
Have you been selling them?
As Rosalie's husband,
I'm entitled to buy or sell on her behalf.
Lord Loxley bought them.
He owns 7% of Selfridges.
He will have a seat on our board.
I didn't know. I...
needed to raise capital for a business venture.
So you sold us out.
It's not as it seems.
Get out of my sight.
Get out.
Where'd you go?
- The seaside. - Yeah?
The seaside?
I'm surprised that thing made it round the block.
It drives rather well, actually.
You let her behind the wheel, Victor?
It was a little smoky.
Nothing a martini won't fix.
I'll line 'em up.
Cheer up!
What's the matter with you?
Nothing.
Are you gonna be in trouble being here?
I'll be fine. I'll be home by 9:00.
If you let me.
Excuse me.
I knew who it was,
you know, whether it was Pinkerton or not.
What has happened?
I sold shares in Paris.
Lord Loxley bought them.
And has a place on the board.
We're not welcome here any longer.
I've ruined everything.
Where's Harry?
You're exaggerating. You always exaggerate.
Look at me, Serge.
Right. Out.
We won't have it in our club.
What do you think you're doing? Sling your hook.
Turn around.
It's all right, George.
I know.
A roulette table, we said.
That was as far as we were gonna go.
I hoped it wouldn't happen
but I knew it was a possibility when we shook hands with Regan.
What did they call it in the trenches?
"Forced March".
Soldiers used to go loopy on it.
Why would anyone want to do that stuff for fun?
Because, George, the world has rolled round.
People want to try things they didn't do before the war.
And why? Because they know
life is short.
And we've seen it.
Boys, kids, lives not yet lived, gone.
Like that.
Who are you trying to convince?
Me or yourself?
You don't understand, do you?
No, you've got this different mindset, see, George.
- Don't start showing yourself up. - Why'd you have to be like this for, then?
- Like what? - Like you?
Just straight the whole time.
You are so straight!
I know what goes on!
Victor, I am not an idiot!
If we let this continue,
we're gonna have trouble on our hands.
Oh...
I don't know if you've forgotten.
But I walked out on a job for life at Selfridges for this.
I never asked you to.
You needed me.
I needed you?
Listen to yourself.
Just get on the telephone to Regan and let him know what's what.
What do you think he's gonna say?
Sorry about that that, Victor, mate.
Won't happen again.
What's his number?
No, leave it. I'll do it.
Go on, I'll talk to him.
Go on.
You just want me out of the office, don't ya?
We're earning at long last.
Think of all the things we could do.
Serge, please.
Serge, stop!
I'll talk to Pa.
Your grandmother already tried.
You don't deserve me, Rosalie.
I'm selfish.
I'm vain.
I'm pregnant, Serge.
I will not let this family fall apart without a fight.
He's family now. And he betrayed us.
It wasn't a betrayal.
It was foolish but I don't believe it was maliciously intended.
Loxley has borne a grudge against me since his wife divorced him.
He blames me, now he sits on the board.
That isn't Serge's fault.
He's using what we have to establish a business.
Just as you have done to establish the Selfridge estate.
I appreciate that you're trying to defend Serge,
but nothing you say will fix this.
He will have to go.
If Serge leaves,
so will I.
So will your first grandchild.
Oh...
What's the matter now?
Why is everyone standing around like servants?
Congratulations, Serge.
Thank you.
I'm sorry for putting you in a difficult position.
I will do everything I possibly can to make things right.
You're damn right you will.
Fraser. Champagne.
What for?
Why am I the last to know?
The next generation of Selfridges are on their way, Princess Marie.
Oh, my darling, darling girl.
Oh, sweetheart!
How lovely.
Vodka too, Fraser.
How wonderful! Sweet...
I'd, uh...
Given up on your visiting altogether.
I wasn't going to but then I rather thought I should.
Please, go through.
I can see that you're preoccupied, Josie.
Is there something you wish to say?
There is no easy way to tell you this.
But while you were away serving,
Doris had a brief affair.
What on earth are you talking about?
It's Ernest.
He was the product of that union.
I am so sorry, Roger.
But Ernest is not your son.
An old flame...
His name's Billy.
They knew each other when they were young.
And she told you this some weeks ago?
She was frightened of your reaction.
It wasn't my place to tell her what to do.
So instead
you plot
and scheme.
You lie.
You take the child to meet its real father.
We thought we were doing right by everyone.
Is he the young man
I saw outside your house?
Yes.
Ernest was with you
on the day that Doris died.
Were you en route to see this man on that day?
The accident happened on our way home.
So...
If you had not
involved yourself in matters that were none of your concern,
Doris and I would be asleep in our beds at this very moment.
I know how it must seem but it was an accident.
There are no accidents!
People do what they should not, and then they try to wheedle out of the consequences.
Now, yes, goodness knows, I wish I hadn't tried to help her
but I told you, she was frightened.
Not as frightened as her daughter was last night.
I had to sit with her and hold her hand
until the dawn.
God.
I am so sorry.
I thought your actions in these last weeks
were those of a true friend.
I am your friend.
I see now
they were driven by guilt.
Go and get him.
Who?
The child.
No...
You should go home now, Violette.
I thought you wanted me here.
What's changed?
This place has.
It still says Colleanos on the door.
What is it? What's eating you?
Victor!
Stay there.
Can you hear me, sir?
Sir, can you hear me?
I told you to stay put.
All right, I'll call the doctor.
Wait.
He bought this from Regan's men.
The ones you let stay.
You call a doctor, they're gonna report this to the police.
And then you'll have real trouble on your hands.
I'll get Violette a brandy.
Wake up!
Go home.
Seeing Harry at the shareholders' meeting making that promise,
completely off the cuff, it was just...
Remarkable.
And... And he's a gambler.
It's in his bones.
He will stake everything he has
for something he wants.
This is nice.
Harry gave it to me last night.
You're not here for dresses and perfume.
I know that. But it isn't easy.
It's what we're doing to him.
His family...
- It's huge. - You need to step back.
Remember what we're here for.
America.
A fresh start.
You're getting too involved with him. It could ruin everything.
That man, was he okay?
He's fine.
Come on, Violette.
It's time you went.
I want to stay.
You can't.
I'll walk you to the cab rank.
What is it? What's wrong?
Your father's right.
My world.
It's no place for you.
I've tried to find a way to make it work.
I have.
But I can't.
I just can't.
But I love you.
Love doesn't make a difference, Violette.
You're gutless, Victor Colleano!
Ripped By mstoll