Episode 3

I'm Laura Linney, and this is Masterpiece Classic.

What are you doing here?

LINNEY: Previously...

I just want a chance to make it up to you and George.

I don't remember you ever being sober.

TONY: I've lost a bit of money.

My money.

HARRY: It's a fine thing that Ellen Love drops into the store.

She encourages people to buy.

Retain a professional relationship with her.

Buying up the store on his credit!

People are talking.

He's installed Miss Love in a flat.

I'm Roderick Temple, I'm a painter.

ROSE: Why don't you paint me?

But I thought we were having lunch.

Not today.

LINNEY: "Mr. Selfridge," tonight on Masterpiece Classic.

Captioning sponsored by VIEWERS LIKE YOU I hope you're wrong, Mr. Grove.

Miss Bunting, a moment.

Miss Mardle, your assistance, please.

Is something wrong, Mr. Grove?

Mr. Selfridge?

GROVE: Miss Mardle, the hem of Miss Bunting's skirts, please.

Please say it isn't true.

Miss Bunting, this is our best lace and silk.

I'm so sorry, Mr. Selfridge.

Consider that sorry and fired.

I was going to pay for everything just as soon as... You were one of the first people that I hired.

You don't steal from your work family.

It's a betrayal of everything that we stand for.

Don't you see that?

Don't you see that?

(sobbing) Increase random checks of all the different departments starting tomorrow.

I hate this.

I hate it!

I'm all on my own with an invalid mother, Mr. Grove.

How am I to get another position without a reference?

Mr. Selfridge takes theft very personally, Miss Bunting.

He also takes staff problems very personally.

Why on earth didn't you come to us?

I was too ashamed, Mr. Grove.

Collect your things.

(crying) BLENKINSOP: If you could get back to me, that would be kind.

Yes, indeed.

Another hand-delivered card from Miss Love, sir.

Make some time for Mr. Grove to see me tomorrow.

We need to see about a replacement for Miss Bunting.

Miss Bunting's being replaced?

Anyone can be replaced.

Good night, Miss Blenkinsop.

(phones ringing) ♪♪ (alarm clock ringing) Smells nice.

Yeah, looks nice.

AGNES: Would you butter me a little bit of bread?

GEORGE: Yeah.

(clanking) (door rattling) REG: Aggie?

Mrs. Payne must've left the front door open!

REG: Agnes, come on, girl.

Well, he can't get in, can he?

The locks have been changed.

(loud knocking) (door rattling) REG: Agnes, you can't do this.

We're a family.

I'm out on the streets with only two brass farthings.

Hey, eat up, George, while it's hot.

REG: I need to talk to you.

(knocking loudly) (yelling): Agnes, open the door!

(door rattling) George, are you in there?

George, it's all right.

REG: Agnes, I am warning you!

Open the door.

Oh, this mutton is lovely.

And the dumplings turned out well.

(loud knocking) REG: Agnes!

See that the car is waiting for us, Fraser, thank you.

(giggling) Pa!

(laughing) Where are we going, anyway?

What's the big secret?

(footsteps) ("Swan Lake" ballet music playing) (music ends) (applause) Pavlova, so close I could touch her.

Thank you, Harry.

A true gift.

CROWD: Bravo!

Bravo!

(audience cheering loudly) Oh, Frank!

ROSE: Her performance was so beautiful.

She is so gentile.

I almost cried.

I did cry.

(both laughing) Beatrice would have loved this.

Oh, I wish she could have been here.

How beautiful you look tonight, my dear.

Thank you, Lady Loxley.

I've never seen Rosalie at such a loss for words.

HARRY: Rosalie!

I like the young.

Fresh and untainted before the world gets hold of them.

But I suspect Rosalie will be safe from that corruption.

You'll see to that.

Mr. Selfridge, have we won you over to the charms of the ballet?

The look on my wife's face would have won me over to anything.

I've never seen you so enchanted.

What struck you so?

I don't know... Well, it was like a moment of perfect beauty where everything just came together.

I just wish everyone could enjoy this.

You are an idealist, my dear Mrs. Selfridge.

Only the very select can enjoy such a gift.

ROSA: I disagree.

I think every woman should have a Pavlova moment like this.

MAN: Ladies and gentlemen, Madame Pavlova!

ROSE: There she is!

My dear... Bravo, Miss Pavlova, you were truly amazing.

We Americans like to show our enthusiasm freely.

ELLEN: Thank you for coming so swiftly, Frank.

A girl likes to know she can still summon a gentleman at the click of her fingers.

Not even a click, Miss Love.

Not even that.

So do you have plans after the show?

Huh?

I thought perhaps you and I...

I want you to find out what's going on with Harry.

Oh.

What do you mean?

He doesn't come near me.

He won't take my telephone calls, he doesn't respond to my notes.

Is there anything I need to know, Frank?

Not that I'm aware of, Ellen, dear.

You know Harry, he's his own man.

He's my man!

Look!

Look at the things he's given me!

Anything.

Anything I want, that's what he said.

He's a very generous chap.

Generous?

Are you blind?

Have you seen my apartment?

The best of everything.

That's not generosity.

That's a man putting down roots.

Roots?

Ellen, I hope you're not...

Surely you don't think... Why not?

Lady Loxley was a Gaiety girl.

She nabbed Lord Loxley.

I'm sure Harry has the same intentions for me.

He just needs reminding, that's all.

That's all.

Just reminding.

(sighs) Oh, my dear girl.

VIOLETTE: You didn't slide down!

You fell right off the horse.

Actually, it was more of a pony.

A small pony.

GEORGE: You're such a liar, Violette.

He was huge!

And I didn't fall.

Gordon, Violette, enough!

Beatrice-- please, poppet, just a little more egg.

Rosalie isn't telling enough.

You do know I'm going to be a ballerina, don't you?

I thought you were going to be in Variety shows, like Miss Ellen Love.

Couldn't I do both?

I think you could do anything you set your mind to, Beatrice.

Come on, she's a girl.

Who beat you at arm wrestling the last ten times?

Can I please eat my breakfast?

Good morning.

Mama, was she beautiful?

Did you cry?

Yes and yes!

Rosalie, didn't you tell your sister all about Pavlova?

How do you explain female perfection to an overeager puppy?

All puppies have to learn, I suppose.

Best they don't pick up bad habits from the beginning, though.

Eh, Rosalie?

I should die if I could meet Anna Pavlova!

HARRY: Well, I might have to cancel a certain arrangement, then.

What a shame.

You don't mean...?

I could mean something.

I could mean nothing at all.

Oh, Papa!

40 kisses every day for a week.

20 in the morning and 20 before bed.

Impressive arithmetic.

I tell you what, you make it 50 kisses and you've got a deal.

Good morning, everyone.

She'll be coming to the store tomorrow and you'll all get a chance to meet her.

But you, dear Rose, will have afternoon tea with her.

Who loves me?

Who the heck in this room loves me?

We do!

(bike bell ringing) Neaten the brooches.

I'd like to see your best inset collars, please.

Finest gauze with a pearl motif preferably.

We're not open yet, Madam.

Clearly I'm not a client, or I wouldn't be here before doors opening.

White and a silvery grey if you please.

What do you want them for, Madam?

For the d\colletage on the mannequins, of course.

You'll have to check with Miss Mardle.

She's the head of Accessories.

I will.

Send her to me.

Now, collars, please.

Did you see that, Doris?

Her skirts are up around her ankles.

That motor van you're loading...

I don't see the Selfridges livery on the side.

How often does it come?

Mornings, sometimes.

It'll be back around 3:00 today.

And it's always you that loads it?

I do what Alf and Sam tell me.

What're you getting out of it?

Eh?

My wage, of course.

What else would I be getting?

HARRY: Miss Irene Ravillious, London-trained at the House of Lucile, no less.

Our new visionary head of fashion.

Liberty's loss is very much our gain.

She'll breathe new life into our Fashion Department.

Isn't that right, Miss Ravillious?

Well, I...

In fact, she's so confident that Women's Fashion might even surpass Accessories one day.

Are you asking me or telling me, Mr. Selfridge?

A little bit of both, I guess.

That would be acceptable.

So I'd even go so far as to predict that within my lifetime certainly, it won't just be the men who can purchase readymade for purpose, but also the ladies.

What do you mean?

A lady shall enter our store, see a costume, say "I want that," and purchase the very day.

No fittings, no seamstress, no waiting about.

All well and good, Miss Ravillious, but surely ladies tend to... tend to... tend to...

Tend to what, Mr. Crabb?

Shapes and sizes, Mr. Selfridge.

(chuckling) Precisely the point, Mr. Crabb.

We shall stock all shapes and sizes.

Fashion will be big one day, mark my words.

It's just a matter of time.

Meanwhile, I have a great event planned.

Anna Pavlova.

Any of you heard of her?

Indeed.

Yes.

She will be on our shop floor.

Surely not?

Yes, Miss Mardle.

The beautiful, unique Pavlova will be on our store floor for all to share, from a duchess to a ladies maid.

An experience they'll always remember.

She'll mingle, Mr. Selfridge?

You bet she'll mingle.

I'm going to pay her handsomely, I might add.

Every woman should have a Pavlova moment.

Meeting adjourned.

Back to your posts with vim and vigor.

Thank you all.

I can't help but notice that your skirt is shorter than the usual.

Is this the coming fashion?

My skirts are shorter because I'm a champion of the Rational Dress Movement.

The what?

I believe clothes can serve a purpose other than mere drapery.

I use my bicycle to get about.

Consequently, my skirts hang an inch or two above the norm.

And I don't bother with whalebone corseting.

Too restricting.

Vigorous exercise is sufficient to keep my figure intact.

You're entitled to your ways, of course, Miss Ravillious, but may I advise you on our way in this store with regard to taking stock from one department for another depart...

Thank you, but I use my initiative as the staff manual decrees.

Day's not ripe, but don't mind if I do.

I'm an upside-down creature, Frank.

Day's my night, night's my day.

You are a delectable upside-down creature.

Cheers.

I take it you've spoken to Harry?

Is he coming to see me today?

I shouldn't think today.

He's going to be very busy.

Oh no, red stuff's my poison, thanks all the same.

Why today in particular, Frank?

Who is she?

Who?

Who, Frank?

I'm sure it's just business.

That's why we press... Anna Pavlova is visiting Selfridges today.

The Anna Pavlova?

I see.

My dear, you know what men like Selfridge are like.

He's always in hot pursuit of the next big thing.

Take my advice and leave well alone.

She'll be gone like a puff of air and I'm sure he'll be with you here again.

I am the spirit of Selfridges, Frank!

How could I not be there to welcome Pavlova?

I have to be there!

(exasperated sigh) Just go, Frank!

How much longer?

I'm about to drop off.

Hold the pose.

Just another while.

(laughing) I get the message.

I'm being greedy.

Enough for today.

It's such a rare quality, a woman so comfortable in her own skin.

I'm American, maybe that's it.

No.

No, that's not it.

So when can I see?

Uh-uh!

When it's ready for showing at the Chelsea Arts Club.

I was hoping to buy it as a gift for my husband.

Um... Come with me to the club, Rose.

You'd love it there.

There are some amazing paintings.

Now?

No, I can't...

Some amazing paintings.

No, really, I can't.

We'll take our entrance from here.

Going to have a great deal of press in this area.

Have as many people gathered here just beyond a roped area right here.

All set for Pavlova's arrival?

Yes, Mr. Selfridge!

Miss Ravillious.

Yes, Mr. Selfridge.

We must make the most of her presence.

Sales-wise, you mean?

So it's not just about giving women a moment to remember?

Business is about giving people what they want.

That's what keeps over 2,000 staff employed.

The more people purchase, the more memories.

Simple commerce.

I am open to all of your suggestions.

Please feel free to use your imaginations.

And both departments working together.

I welcome all of your ideas as soon as possible.

Thank you very much.

Don't you ever give Miss Ravillious anything from Accessories again unless I say so, is that understood?

Yes, Miss Mardle.

Sorry, Miss Mardle.

Now, you heard Mr. Selfridge.

Any ideas, ladies, before Miss Ravillious gets in there first and shows us up.

HARRY: Great idea, Miss Ravillious.

All we have to do is add the white braiding to our existing dark capes.

See?

How quickly can this be done?

I'll get the seamstresses to do what they can today.

Then if they sell, we can put them on shifts through the night to be ready for tomorrow.

Excellent.

Good idea.

Have my wife's initials sewn into the cape.

I cannot wait to see her face.

ROGER: Come.

I got them, Roger!

Those tickets for Drury Lane.

Oh, Josie, I'm so sorry.

Oh no, please don't say you can't come.

Hettie's nurse asked for the night off, I completely forgot.

Let me pay for them.

Take a friend instead.

It was my treat.

Another time, perhaps.

Oh, and while I'm here, this Miss Ravillious needs to know she can't pinch from other departments.

You may find that she's looking for white braiding from Accessories, an idea she's putting to Mr. Selfridge as we speak.

From my department?

And she didn't ask me to go and see him with her?

It even goes with that, I think.

Victor?

Your George.

Might want to ask him about the vans he loads.

How d'you mean?

Well, just that.

Just check he knows what he's doing is all.

HENRI: What do we think, Miss Towler?

Which ribbon for rosebuds?

White, Mr. Leclair.

I agree.

Thank you, girls.

GIRLS: You're welcome, Mr. Leclair.

Can we make a start?

Yes, Mr. Leclair.

Good.

Oh, Miss Mardle.

With your permission, I'd like to move Miss Towler to the Fashion Department for today.

It's going to be very busy.

By all means, Mr. Leclair.

Move all of Accessories, why don't you?

It's the way things are heading, as far as I can see.

Only Miss Towler, thank you.

Why not one of us?

She's no better than you or me.

Sometimes I think I'll turn into a boring chicken.

Cluck, cluck.

Wouldn't that be amusing, Mr. Colleano?

Let me add some flavor, Lady Loxley.

Something original?

Of course, Lady Loxley.

HARRY: Ah, Lady Mae.

Always a pleasure to see you.

Quite a coup you've pulled off, Mr. Selfridge.

Pavlova in a shop?

This shop.

(chuckling) Actually, she's having tea with Rose at 3:30, if you want to join them.

I certainly would.

Your wife's company grows on me with each encounter.

Me too.

(people talking loudly) How dare you speak about my beloved Rossetti like that?

His paintings make me swoon!

Because they're overblown sentimental tosh.

Hear, hear!

Do I get a kiss every single time you disagree with me?

Come on, Cora, kiss him.

Mrs. Buckingham, is your husband a patron of the Arts also?

In a manner of speaking, yes.

Buckingham... Buckingham... Can't say I know any other American involved in that circle.

Anyone else?

The Buckinghams are relatively new to London.

I'm so sorry, I really am running rather late.

(loud objections) Thank you so much, I'm sorry, I'm so late... Tell us everything!

Has your husband commissioned paintings of you before?

Sit down and tell us.

Victor.

What do you think you're playing at?

Satisfying the lady, Mr. Perez.

Gentleman's Relish, and a typical Italian touch: chopped olives and capers.

Mmm.

You have an inspired touch, Mr. Colleano.

I look forward to tasting more from you.

Any time you say, Lady Loxley.

I say in a couple of hours, Mr. Colleano.

Do let me know when Mrs. Selfridge arrives.

I'm taking tea with her.

Which sadly means I shall have to reserve my appetite for any more of your creative touches.

Still, the pleasure is in the anticipation, don't you think?

Can't rightly say, Lady Loxley.

I like to eat when I'm hungry.

HARRY: Welcome.

(laughing) Beautiful, good to see you.

Thank you, Mr. Selfridge.

Gentlemen.

(flashes popping) (glass breaking) Such beautiful emeralds.

The finest, Madam, from Colombia.

Mounted on white gold and fashioned by our designers in Hatton Garden.

Oh... A child in the confectionary store is what you make of me, Mr. Selfridge?

I like to spoil ladies, Miss Pavlova.

Your presence and pleasure suit the image we want to convey.

So how shall we transport all these perfumes, lotions and petticoats, Sonya?

Do we have enough items of luggage?

(speaking Russian) Spasiba.

Ladies Fashion, perhaps?

Oh, yes, please!

(applause) Where would you like us?

Just there, please.

(flashes popping) I love her dress.

Oh, she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life!

Don't you think, Kitty?

Second only to those jewels round her neck.

Wherever could your mother be?

Well, if Ma's not going, I'm not either.

Maybe Ma's waiting for us there.

I'm surprised she hasn't telephoned.

Right then, off we go.

Good-bye!

Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.

Mrs. Buckingham, you simply cannot miss what we're going to see.

It's history in the making!

She's right.

I can't, I really can't.

Help me, everybody!

It looks like we are going to have to manhandle Mrs. Buckingham all the way there for her own good.

No, no, no!

Tell her, Roddy, tell her!

Very well.

We are going to see Pavlova in the flesh.

See, I told you you'd thank me.

Kidnap the lady, my friends.

No... Roddy, Roddy, a word.

Go ahead, go ahead, we'll catch up.

Is everything okay?

What is it?

Why wouldn't you want to come to the biggest event in town?

Because I'm supposed to be there already.

I'm Mrs. Selfridge.

("Swan Lake" ballet music playing) (car horn honking) HARRY: She's not here for very long, so get them while you can.

Follow me, Miss Pavlova.

Oh, my family's here, excuse me.

There they are!

Hi, Mom.

Where's Rose?

I thought she'd be here.

No, um... Come meet Miss Pavlova!

Miss Pavlova, this is my mother, Madam Selfridge.

How do you do?

I say, she is every bit as perfect as the chief said.

Some night this week, Roger, yes?

It depends, my dear.

Some of the nurses do require supervision.

It is really about the nurses though, isn't it?

It's not me?

Of course not.

We can't talk now, Josie, you know that.

Yes.

It was wrong.

I should have just told you the truth.

Yes, you should have.

It's just everybody knows the Selfridge name, and I just...

I guess I just wanted to have something that was, well, my own.

You know, my father was right.

I am an idiot.

Oh, don't say that.

No, I am.

You're so kind and talented.

Kind and talented?

I love our time together.

Please say we can still be friends.

Friends?

Yes.

It's no match for the famous Mr. Selfridge though, is it?

You knew I was falling in love with you.

What was it?

Was it revenge for Ellen Love, was that it?

Oh, half of London knows.

Don't tell me you don't.

Harry and I have our own bond.

How could he risk losing you?

It's in his nature.

He risks the things that he loves.

And it's my nature to remain in love with him.

I should go.

Rose, please... Ellen Love...

I didn't...

Please forgive me.

I was tempted, Roddy.

I owe you that much honesty at least.

(flash pops) It's Miss Love!

(press talking excitedly) Now, are you sure this is a good idea?

Don't be silly, Frank.

Mr. Selfridge.

Miss Pavlova, I had to come and see you.

Ellen Love, the spirit of Selfridges.

I don't think I... (whispering) Do you dance, Miss Love?

Oh, I surely do.

PAVLOVA: What fun!

Another dancer, Mr. Selfridge.

HARRY: Miss Love is of a contemporary variety.

PAVLOVA: I'm fascinated by this new dance movement in Europe...

I visited the Isadora Duncan School in Paris.

(banging cane) It was quite extraordinary.

Or do you favor this more modern Bohemian style?

(offended gasp) Miss Love sings as well as dances!

Don't you, Miss Love?

Yes.

HARRY: It's so very kind of you to welcome Miss Pavlova, but we can't keep you any longer, Miss Love.

Please.

Oh, no... No, not at all!

I have to have a photograph with Miss Pavlova.

Miss Pavlova.

Good publicity.

I'm so sorry about that.

Boys, over here.

Dad... A little champagne?

I'm a customer.

I have come in to do some shopping.

Dad, Dad... (popping) You boys do make me smile.

Beauty and elegance.

That's what the store is all about.

You're a shop girl!

(screaming) Get that drunk out of our store.

Bitch!

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I am your father, you little bitch.

Happy now?

(nervous laughter) (flashes popping) HARRY: Thank you, boys, that's enough.

Ellen, with me now!

Mother, will you take the children to the restaurant?

Come along, children.

Go ahead, we'll see you soon.

Aggie!

Agnes!

You call this urchin off me or you'll be sorry, my girl.

What's going on?

Will you please just go!

Lost your job, have you?

See, you're no better than me, my girl.

You and that stupid little chump.

You're right, you've ruined everything.

You've done your damage.

What more do you want?

I want...

I want some respect from my own flesh and blood.

I will never respect you.

I hate you.

You... (coughing) Now get out of here.

(coughing) Your Pa is the reason you didn't want me coming round your place.

I thought it was me.

It will be all right, Agnes.

No, it won't, Victor.

He'll keep coming back.

Miss Bunting got sacked for a lot less.

VICTOR: Go to him.

Explain.

Mr. Selfridge will understand.

How could he understand what it's like to have a father like that?

He'll think I'm scum.

Hey... No one would ever think that about you.

I'll look after you, Agnes.

Honest, I will.

You've got your own family to look after, Victor.

But thank you.

Oi!

Walk your sister upstairs.

I have to... Or there'll be two of you looking for a job.

And to show you the extent of our gratitude to Miss Pavlova, we have one more gift to bestow.

What could it be, Sonya?

I can't imagine, Madame.

You were saying about a new sable?

You shall have a new sable, too.

And there is more?

Ah, yes!

The most prestigious gift our store can offer: your very own window.

(applause) HARRY: I think a photo is in order.

(flashes popping) ELLEN: You've given her a window?!

Keep your voice down, please.

I'm getting you out of here, Ellen, right now.

Will you call on me this evening?

Your contract with Selfridges is over.

Harry... Harry, why would you say that?

You've crossed the line.

My family is here.

I don't see your wife anywhere.

My wife is not your concern.

The point is your reckless nature.

(sobbing) Please, Harry, please don't leave me, please don't.

You can keep the flat and whatever you want.

Good-bye, Ellen.

I'm sorry.

Frank, take her home, please.

I'm sorry.

Come on, Ellen.

Come on, dear.

(clears throat) Henri.

I want to talk to you about Miss Pavlova's window.

Indeed, Mr. Selfridge.

I know exactly what I want and I'm going to work on it with you myself.

I want it to be the talk of London.

And I need it on display... Oh, let me guess...

This evening?

Exactly.

Now, if anyone can tell me where the hell Rose is?

(laughing) Where's Mom?

Mom!

I danced with Anna Pavlova!

Lady Mae clapped her hands off.

I've brought you a Pavlova cape with your initials on it.

Where were you, Ma?

Have you any idea what you've missed?

I do, I'm sorry, everyone.

I wasn't feeling very well.

Right, everyone get ready for dinner, please.

Better now, Mama?

Much better.

Come on, dear.

Should I be worried?

No, I'm feeling much better.

You must have been feeling very bad to miss tea with Pavlova.

I appreciate your arranging that for me, Harry.

But I couldn't make it.

(door opens and closes) From the shop you love on Marylebone Street.

Violet creams.

Your favorite.

And I've arranged to stay the night after all.

I'll get fat.

You're lovely.

Very lovely.

Look, Sonya, the window.

SONYA: It's beautiful, madame.

MAN: All in.

Are you sure, Harry, old chap?

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Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org