Ripped By mstoll
I wanted you all to see the warehouse that I've hired
to store all of the extra stock for the sale.
The Britain at Play event was the first part of a strategy.
We attracted significant attention.
Now we'll capitalise by selling like we've never sold before.
We'll have rotating offers in every department throughout the store.
I made a personal promise to our shareholders,
and I intend to keep that promise.
We need to make a lot of profit, quickly.
Frank.
As you'll have seen, an intense press advertising campaign started this evening
with robust, some might say aggressive, wording.
How much of this do we have to sell?
All of it. It'll be the sale of the century.
You're working evenings now?
I have a business meeting with Harry later.
What's in the suitcase?
I was hoping to bunk down on the couch.
I've run out of money for digs.
Look into lodgings for tonight, hmm?
Come on.
Can't you dip into the Selfridge estate account?
No, we stick to the plan.
We take it all out in one lump sum when the rest of the money comes in.
Why's he having a business meeting with you at this hour, anyway?
As we're not together any more, I have to take what time he offers, don't I?
You'd better go.
I'm sorry, sir, but there's nobody by the name of Olga Pushkin at this residence.
This arrived at the Russian Embassy with instructions to be delivered to this address.
There must be some mistake.
Good evening.
Is there a problem, Fraser?
A mistaken delivery, ma'am,
from the Russian Embassy.
What on Earth are you doing?
Mama?
I never thought I'd see them again.
This changes everything, Serge.
Now you can build your plane.
No, you've lived on your wits long enough. I'm busy with Jacques.
You can't still support Jacques and create.
I'm going to sell some of these and make your dreams come true.
All through the terror,
the running,
the relying on strangers,
one thing... one thing kept me going.
You, Serge, you kept me going.
Now we are in charge of our own destiny.
Harry, I thought maybe you weren't coming.
Nothing could keep me away.
You haven't changed your mind?
No.
But a supply merchant sees a ring like that, it makes it even harder to haggle.
Well, you could wear it if we made an announcement.
Might increase your buying power as my future wife.
Let's just keep it to ourselves for now.
At least until building starts.
- Besides... - Besides?
I need some time to get used to being Harry Selfridge's wife.
The project and marriage, it's a lot to take in.
You need an office. Come to the store tomorrow.
It would be nice to have you around.
Really? Thank you.
Let's make this work.
Hardly what you promised.
It's not like we can openly advertise.
I have put the word out. Rome wasn't built in a day.
I'm not bankrolling Rome.
Good morning.
- Good morning, madam. - Good morning.
- Morning.
- Good morning, sir. - Morning.
Good morning.
That's 10 shillings, madam.
An excellent idea, buying your Christmas presents in advance.
How long do we have to keep this up for?
Keep going, just keep going.
- May I help you? - Oh, yes, please.
I'll need a lot more than that. We've already sold out of the button-up calfskin.
Customers keep moving things on my displays. I can't keep up.
Oh, just get on with it.
Is everything all right? Can I help in any way?
No, everything's under control, thank you.
Looks pretty busy to me.
How many customers through so far?
Footfall is up five times already on this time last week.
I want a till report from every department by noon, Mr Crabb.
Yes, chief.
Good morning, Mr Selfridge.
I thought I'd see you here today, Sir Robert.
What can I do for you?
We've always employed a gentleman's code of conduct
between the retailers of London.
We'd never spring a random sale at Swan & Edgar.
Nothing to stop you.
The tone of your adverts is unashamedly huckstering.
"Buy now, while goods are still in stock"?
You know damn well you've severely diminished
the amount of stock that we can lay our hands on now.
So you would compete if you could?
I doubt you would tell your friends in the press that.
You are responsible for this morning's unfavourable editorials, I take it.
Believe me, that's just the start.
I've no doubt your board will have plenty to say about the bad publicity.
There are several groups within the city who find the tone of your advertising
aggressive and scaremongering.
We're in business, Sir Robert.
Tactics can be a little rougher than we'd like.
As for my board, like yours, they're interested in one thing.
Profit.
Barton!
Bitch!
Do you know there's an article in here calling our sale "un-public-spirited"?
"Encouraging people to be spendthrift." What utter rubbish.
You'd better give this to Mr Grove.
Little fella might be missing it.
Are you missing him, George?
I suppose I was playing at happy families for a while.
What with Agnes gone...
Look, George, I'm sure Mr Grove could find a good position for you.
Would you like me to ask him?
I think it'd be best if I start over.
Let me ask anyway and then you can decide.
Gentlemen, please.
I take it you've seen the editorial.
Sour grapes from our competitors. Do we care?
Not if Selfridge is focused on profit at last.
As long as he shifts that warehouse of merchandise.
- What warehouse? - Oh.
He's bulk-bought at unheard-of levels for this sale.
But that's a huge gamble. What if he doesn't shift it?
The man might have a history of gambling, but never with his own store.
Look, despite the fact he does not consult us,
I think it would be better for future relations if we showed some support.
I don't want to support something that's going to lose me money.
Why don't I go and see, um, Mr Crabb?
He seems a reasonable fellow.
I'll ask to inspect the trading figures and see that the ship is sailing on an even keel.
Hmm. Good idea, Loxley.
Come.
Oh, George found it this morning.
It's Ernest's, of course.
Yes, thank you.
Oh, I was hoping to speak to you about George.
Well, he's looking for employment, and I thought maybe with the sale...
Well, let me come back to you. I'll see what we have.
Thank you.
I can't do the roof struts for less than 30 shillings a piece.
It was 25 on the estimate you gave me last week.
With all the rebuilding going on since the war, price of timber goes up every day.
You've got to toughen up to play in this world, miss.
Does a gentleman's agreement not really count for anything any more? I'm...
You've already paid for the timber.
You gave Miss Webb her price.
Mr Selfridge, sir. I didn't know the lady was with you, sir.
What difference does it make?
The price is not the same for everybody.
Well, in my store, they are.
Seeing as it's you, I will hold the price I gave the lady.
You'll drop to 20 shillings.
We can put a lot of business your way, or none at all.
- Yeah, all right. - Sign the cheque, Miss Webb.
- Thank you for that. - You're welcome.
I didn't like him taking advantage of you like that.
I thought you were going to hit him.
You'd like that, wouldn't you?
No, I would not like that.
Harry.
Stay close.
- Should we call the police? - No, they had their fun.
Just take the posters down.
You want me to pull back on the advertising for the evening editions?
No. We forge ahead.
Mr Grove, it's time that we hired a new head of security.
- Good morning, Mr Selfridge. - I think I know just the person.
- You okay? - I'm fine. What are you going to do?
Well, I'll tell you what I'm not going to do and that's back down.
They take me on at their peril.
Right, Connie, we need 60 pairs of stockings and 75 camisoles.
Oh, and tell the porter to bring every box up to fashion.
We'll have this lot sold by the end of the day.
Well, what'll we do then?
Oh, you needn't worry. There's a warehouse full of replacements.
Miss Mardle.
Might I have a word?
Yes, of course.
Tell the porter, Connie. And then you can take your tea break.
Thank you, Miss Mardle.
George Towler,
he's perfect for the position of head of security.
Oh.
He knows the store and has military experience.
Good honest man.
Would you ask him to come see me first thing in the morning?
Yes, I'd be happy to.
Thank you. Yes.
- Thank you, Miss Mardle. - My pleasure, Mr Grove.
"Colleanos Club invites you to join its exclusive membership."
This batch is ready for posting.
Mr Barratt, Lord Sherridge, Jonathan Campbell.
You know a lot of rich people.
Years of running the Palm Court.
Regan will be pleased.
There's only one thing that'll please Regan.
Turning that lot into money.
I have independent means now, Harry.
The Wiasemsky family jewels have arrived out of Russia.
I'm delighted for you, Princess Marie.
I will repay every single penny of my debt to you.
- We can have a completely fresh beginning. - Marie...
Before Serge married Rosalie,
both our families had seen some...
Very dark times.
Now there is a baby to look forward to.
- New hope for the future. - Marie...
I wanted to thank you for your kindness.
I need not prevail upon it any longer. There.
You're not moving out. I won't let you repay a thing.
It's not about the money.
You're part of the family now. You belong with us.
And it means a lot to me that you offered.
It means a lot to me that you refused.
Rosalie will be a new mother, and she'll be glad of your support.
Miss Webb is inexperienced in this line of things.
Ah, Miss Webb.
Perhaps part of this brighter future, no?
We were going to wait for the right moment to tell the family,
so this is for your ears only.
- We're secretly engaged. - No!
- Yeah. - Oh! Congratulations.
Wonderful news.
So she'll be taking up a lot of my time, and the Selfridge estate.
She has an office here now. Why don't you pop in and say hello?
I would love to.
Very impressive.
I can nearly believe in you myself.
Well, the house plans are real. We paid good money for them.
It doesn't mean they're going to get built.
What do you want?
The money you gave me only covered lodgings.
Well, I don't have anything on me.
But I do need you to deliver these revised estimates to Mr King at the estate office.
He keeps on asking for architect's instructions and all sorts.
I'm trying to stay out of his way.
He's waiting on these estimates.
Please, Gus.
You're enjoying this side of things a bit too much for my liking.
Oh!
Is there a fire?
Oh, that was Mr Gerrard, the architect.
These creative souls can be a bit of a handful.
Harry told me your exciting news.
Congratulations.
I'm so happy for you both.
Er, it's supposed to be a secret.
Oh, don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. I love secrets.
I would like very much for us to be friends.
I fear you and I got off on...
Wrong foot.
I hadn't noticed.
And you can never have too many friends.
That's exactly what I always think.
I'll have these typed up for you today, Mr Crabb.
Thank you, Miss Plunkett. Oh, and...
You, out. I need to speak to Mr Crabb.
Lord Loxley, can I...
The board is very worried about this sale.
No one came to us.
Mr Selfridge knows what he's doing.
We demand to see the trade-in figures at the end of each day.
Out of the question. Figures need to be analysed, put in...
What are you doing here?
The board is concerned about a warehouse full of stock.
Bad press, protesters outside the door, is everything under control?
- Loxley, we are... - Spiralling expenditure!
How much did that Britain at Play extravaganza cost?
I don't expect you to understand our strategy.
More full pages of advertisements this evening?
Strategy, or a complete and utter waste of money?
- Get out. - I want answers.
I don't care what you want.
Reduced prices and increased advertising, is this...
Mr Crabb, tell Mr Edwards to double the advertising,
and we're offering an additional 10% off everything.
This is my store. I'll run it my way. Now get out.
Grace. Grace, please wait.
Don't do this. It's hard for us both, but it's for the best.
Why are you being like this? I...
Look. I'm a shop girl. You're the boss's son.
We're from different worlds.
I let myself down in front of Mr Crabb.
It mightn't mean a lot to you, but it certainly means a lot to me.
More than I mean to you?
See? You don't have to worry about things like that.
It's all mapped out for you.
I have to make my own way.
- Grace. Grace, please... - Look, just leave me alone, Gordon.
You know in your heart your father will never approve.
I don't know that. How would I know that?
You didn't tell him about us, did you?
Hold on tight, please.
Grace.
I know, I know, Mr Crabb.
Know what?
You're going to say that I should not have let Loxley get to me.
That my orders about advertising and a 10% discount
could come back to bite me in the... behind.
I was going to say, "Let's stick it to them."
Are we celebrating?
Yes. Well, your new job, if you want it.
Mr Grove is offering you head of security.
Really?
It's difficult to turn that down.
Well, going back was the right decision for me.
Felt like I was returning to family.
All the arguments that come with family, too.
Things must be better between you and Mr Grove.
They're getting better, George.
Yes, they're getting better.
Quiet, children, please.
Please, can I just see him?
Get away from my door. You know you're not welcome here.
Miss Mardle allowed me to see Ernest.
Please. I am his father.
As far as Ernest is concerned, I am his father.
Miss Mardle should not be encouraging you to make contact with him.
Things are looking up.
That looks like a heavy loss to me.
They win hard. They lose even harder.
We've got board directors over there. Bankers.
These are quality punters. You'll get your money.
You'd better get some rich losers in here, and fast.
I'm running out of patience.
You've got a week to turn this place around.
Right...
How's the new office working out?
I like being here.
I like knowing that if I want to see you, all I have to do is step out that door.
We make a heck of a team.
We'll do good things together, Nancy Webb.
You've given my life back to me.
You've changed my life completely.
Yes?
You wanted to see me?
That man came to my house last night.
To my house.
Honestly, what does he think is going to happen?
That I'm going to raise his son to call him father?
Oh, he just wants to see him.
Well that is never going to happen. You can tell him so for me.
Roger.
This is the result of your meddling.
I cannot believe you let that man see Ernest at your house.
Why do you always see everything in black and white?
Right or wrong?
In this instance I'm entirely in the right.
Oh, in every instance.
But let me tell you something.
You're a hypocrite.
Oh, yes, Doris let you down.
But have you really forgotten that we had an affair behind your first wife's back?
How could I possibly forget?
You're a constant shadow to me. You follow me from place to place.
You interfere in my work, and now you interfere in my private life.
How could you possibly know my feelings for Ernest
when you have no children of your own?
- Josie... - Oh, yes, it's true. I'm not a mother.
But I am a human being.
There was a time when I thought you were one, too.
Leave me alone.
With pleasure, Mr Grove.
With absolute pleasure.
Good morning.
Twenty-five English pounds. Good day to you, sir.
Mr Paynton, you've forgotten your receipt.
Throw it in the bin.
Am I disturbing you?
Not at all. Come in.
For you.
Oh!
An Austrian crystal paperweight.
From that gorgeous shop in the Burlington Arcade.
My engagement present.
It's beautiful. Thank you.
While I was there the most confusing thing happened.
I saw a man who looked exactly like your architect friend
coming out of the jeweller's.
He had the same unfortunate abrupt manner.
But they called him Mr Paynton.
Well, no wonder you were confused. Our architect's Mr Gerrard.
Well, that's what I remembered.
But it's a simple mistake to make. And surely he corrected you
when you addressed him.
Oh, I didn't. Like I said, I was confused.
Serve me right for not wearing my spectacles in public.
Oh, you will consult me when it comes to making those wedding plans.
I'm quite the expert, darling.
I will. Thank you for this.
- Where's Nancy? - She was here just a moment ago.
I brought her this engagement gift.
And I seem to have dropped my glove.
Oh! Here it is.
Thank you, darling.
Ground, please.
Gus!
Are you here? Gus!
I'm so glad you agreed to come out with me.
Why have you brought me here?
I think you know why.
Your past history is best faced before you move on.
Who says I want to move on?
I do.
Good evening, Violette. Good to see you.
Good to see you too, Victor.
Are you not going to introduce us?
Oh, Jacques de Sibour, Victor Colleano.
- Enchanté. - Pleasure to meet you.
Enjoy your evening here. Please.
- So how have you been? - Well.
The place looks great. Very refined.
Thank you. Please, enjoy.
Thank you.
Can we please leave?
We've only just arrived. Have a seat.
I feel very uncomfortable.
Your former intimacy with Monsieur Colleano doesn't bother me.
It might bother any other man, but I'm a man of the world.
We are a good match.
That sounds so cold. Shouldn't love figure in the equation?
Well, you've had love. Where has it got you?
Night, Pa.
Your evening didn't go well with Jacques?
Depends on what you mean by "well".
I think he wants to marry me.
How do you feel about that?
He's probably the right kind of man for me.
I can be a handful.
Not too many could cope.
Well, if the best he can do is cope, he's not the right man.
You're my smart, funny, gorgeous little handful.
Whoever you decide to step out with, let it be on your terms.
Loxley.
I didn't mean to cause alarm.
Did you speak to Crabb? Ask him for trading figures?
I did. He refused.
Said Selfridge knows what he's doing.
Did you believe him?
Quite frankly, I don't think Crabb believes his own words.
Did you tell him all our concerns?
Not to mention the astronomical cost of this advertising campaign.
Selfridge burst in while I was with Mr Crabb.
He was incandescent when I said we wanted to offer our support,
that it would help if we could see trading figures.
Sounds like the man has something to hide.
I'm not sure how to tell you this, but...
Sir?
When I pressed him on advertising costs,
he told Mr Crabb to double advertising,
and ordered an extra discount of 10% across the entire store.
- Mr Crabb did not look happy. - I'm sure he didn't.
Nothing for it but to convene an emergency board meeting.
I'll get in touch with the other board members.
Is that absolutely necessary?
Selfridge has to be called to account before he costs us money,
and our credibility in the city.
You did your best, Loxley. It's time his board takes him on now.
All the reds are on offer, madam.
We have pomegranate, ruby...
Magenta Surprise. That's the one for you.
Thank you.
We don't have time for our usual patter, Jessie.
Close the sale quickly.
Go and have your tea break, go on. I know we're all tired.
Oh, I'll carry on.
This is England. No one carries on without tea.
Gentlemen, Mr George Towler, our new head of security.
- Welcome back, George. - Mr Towler.
Quite a coup you pulled off, Mr Grove.
Miss Mardle said it was like coming back to family.
It does feel a bit like that.
Don't you dare leave home again.
Where's the ring?
You mean the engagement ring you got from the man you aren't seeing any more?
- Just tell me. - I sold it!
You stupid... Oh, you stupid...
How am I going to explain that to Harry?
What do I care? I want to know why you lied to me.
You said you'd broken it off, and then you go behind my back and agree to marry him.
Were you trying to cut me out? Because if you were...
I wasn't trying to cut you out.
Then why did you say yes, you'd marry him?
Because I meant it.
I love him, Gus.
All the scams we've pulled, we've broken every rule.
The one rule you never break, you don't fall in love with the target.
I love him.
I was just waiting for the right moment to tell you.
You really think you can be Mrs Harry Selfridge?
This could be a new life for us.
Mmm-hmm. And I'd look out for you. Of course I would.
No more running, no more lying.
We could have a proper life.
And how could I pull off being an architect?
Mr Gerrard goes to America.
You can go, just like you always wanted.
You see, that's why I haven't taken any money from the Selfridge account so far.
Because as long as that's all still there, we haven't done anything wrong.
Officially, we're clean.
You've really thought this through, haven't you?
I want to stay clean.
I'm going to build those houses.
And I'm going to be Mrs Harry Selfridge.
- Miss Mardle? - Yes?
I'm checking every department to see where security needs to be increased.
I'll need a few minutes of your time in the morning.
- Yes, of course. - Miss Hawkins.
- George. - Mr Towler.
Ah, sorry.
It's lovely to have you back, George.
I made the right decision.
My little sister's delighted to see you, too.
Maybe you should think about asking her out.
And maybe you should stop trying to organise my love life.
I can manage that myself, ta.
Sorry to disturb you, chief.
Mr Barratt's summoning an emergency board meeting this evening.
They're demanding to see figures.
We're nowhere near ready to present. Loxley's behind this.
You don't seem surprised, chief.
They don't mean to see figures.
I think they mean to oust me.
What are we going to do?
- Convene the meeting. - Are you sure?
I know how this company works, inside and out. Loxley doesn't.
I intend to stay one step ahead of them.
When you own this chair, Gordon, you have to fight tooth and nail to keep it.
You have to fight for everything you hold dear.
Oh.
I'm here to see Miss Calthorpe, please, Miss Pertree.
It's not what you're used to, Mr Gordon.
You won't talk to me anywhere else, so I had no choice.
Erm, we're not usually so untidy.
Is there somewhere more private we could talk?
I'll go.
You were right.
I've... I've been a coward.
- Oh, Gordon, please. - I'm here to fight for you, Grace.
I want the whole world to know how... how much I love you.
- Oh, Gordon. - Just tell me you love me too
and I'll go on fighting.
Of course I love you.
But I can only be with you if you tell your father about us.
I should've told him about us straight away. I will, Grace. I will.
You wanted to see me, Mr Grove?
You may
visit Ernest every second Sunday afternoon.
We'll say you're a friend of the family. Obviously, I'll make myself scarce.
Thank you. What made you change your mind?
Not everything's black and white.
Sometimes you have to change in order to move on.
Thank you, Mr Grove.
You didn't say goodbye last night. Is everything all right?
Harry, I don't know how to tell you...
I've lost the ring.
- Oh, Nancy. - I've looked everywhere.
It must have fallen off my finger.
Darling, it's just a ring.
No, it's not. This is the ring that you got me.
I feel awful.
We'll get you another one.
Look, I'll take you to dinner, you tell me what you like.
Thank you.
- Gentlemen. - Loxley.
Ready for the board meeting, Mr Crabb.
All set.
Is Mr Selfridge deigning to join us any time soon?
The chairman of Selfridge's wishes to invoke his right to a two-week postponement
according to clause 18, part two, in the Articles of Association.
Thank you, and good evening, gentlemen.
This is outrageous.
The man is out of control.
It is precisely this kind of erratic behaviour that has so troubled Mr Barratt and Mr Lowe.
I'm afraid to say I now fully subscribe to their concerns.
You have convinced me, gentlemen.
Selfridge has to go.
Ripped By mstoll