Episode 5

I've said to Mr. Leclair that I'll help with the window for tomorrow.

That man snaps his fingers, you come running.

Victor, tell me all about yourself.

MR. GROVE: I have an invalid wife at home.

No wonder Harry looks for his passions elsewhere.

ROSE: Ellen Love paid me a visit this morning.

Whatever she said, it's not true.

Please don't do this to me, Harry.

I love you.

Oh, Jesus... You can go to hell!

BOY: Your pa ain't no war hero!

He ain't dead, either.

To my father!

(horn honking) LINNEY: "Mr. Selfridge,"tonight on Masterpiece Classi Captioning sponsored by VIEWERS LIKE YOU ♫♫ (alarm clock ringing) Daily Graphic, read all about it!

Mr. Selfridge in motor car accident!

SUFFRAGETTE: Votes for women!

Support the cause!

Votes for women!

Support the cause!

Votes for women!

I don't feel very well.

Please, can I be excused?

Is Mr. Selfridge... Do we have any news?

(sighs heavily) Everyone, please gather round.

(murmuring) MISS MARDLE: Hurry up, please.

MISS RAVILLIOUS: Quickly, thank you.

As you all must have heard by now, the Chief had a serious automobile accident.

(murmuring) He got knocked on the head, and he hasn't come round yet.

Quieten down, or you won't hear what else I've got to say.

Is he alive, Mr. Crabb?

That's what we want to know.

Of course he is!

Didn't I just say so?

Then why are you wearing a mourning band?

This isn't because of Mr. Selfridge.

Trouble comes in pairs.

Mr. Grove's wife, Harriet, who he's nursed for the last 12 years, died in her sleep last night.

A book of condolence for Mr. Grove will circulate in the store today.

While he's away, Miss Mardle will be Chief of Staff and Miss Ravillious will cover both Accessories and Fashion.

God, not the old dragon.

We've all got to think positively about the Chief.

There's no reason he shouldn't rise from his bed this very afternoon, come here, and see that we're all behaving ourselves.

(slight laughter) So no slacking.

(more laughter, applause) Everyone to their posts, please!

Doors open 9:00 sharp.

FRASER: I've already told you, I have no further comment to make whatsoever.

Excuse me.

Mr. Edwards, give us the latest on Selfridge.

I don't know any more than you do, boys.

Pull the other one, Mr. Edwards.

Come on, middle of the night, driving like the clappers.

Off to see some lady, was he?

Mr. Edwards, please, just a couple of words?

"Harry Gordon Selfridge is an American tycoon, famous for his luxurious store in Oxford Street."

Isn't a tycoon a rainstorm?

No, silly, it's a businessman.

"It is not yet clear why Mr. Selfridge was driving alone so late at night."

Why was he, Grandma?

Oh, you know your father.

Always on the go.

Mr. Edwards is here.

Oh, I suppose I ought to see him.

Finish your breakfast, children.

The Suffragettes are marching tomorrow!

"Women coming from all over the country."

Sounds like a lark.

You know what Mother and Father feel about that.

It's perfectly all right to support the cause, but not to make a spectacle of yourself.

And you're too young anyway.

A peaceful procession isn't a spectacle.

They're walking down Oxford Street.

Do you think they'll get as far as the store?

I hope not.

Mrs. Selfridge.

How is he?

No better.

I thought perhaps he'd be up and about by now.

I'm afraid not.

The thing is, there's a head of steam building up about Harry and his accident.

The night he crashed the motor, he'd been gambling at the club.

He lost a lot.

Was he with you?

I bumped into him there.

I wish you hadn't introduced him to that club, Mr. Edwards.

Now hold on, if I hadn't shown him where to gamble, somebody would have.

Let's say he has a penchant for it.

He hates to lose.

That's probably why he was driving so fast.

There's more to it than that.

He was knocking back the whiskey.

Toasting his father.

And a worse thing: there was a lady came to see him at the club.

It could get out.

Miss Love?

Oh, Harry... Can I give you a bit of advice?

If the press get cheeky, you need a line and you need to stick to it.

Tell them he was renegotiating her contract.

What if Miss Love gives a different story?

I'll talk to her.

I can't worry Rose with this.

Between the two of us, we'll keep the scribblers from her door.

Thank you, Mr. Edwards.

I see why Harry has you as a friend.

He'll come through all this.

(door opens) Mother... You should get some sleep.

If Pa wakes, I'll tell you.

No, I want to be here when he does.

You know what the doctor said.

When Pa wakes up-- if he wakes up... Stop it, Rosalie.

Of course he will.

He might not be the Pa we know.

You're going to need all your strength for that.

Please, Mother, take some rest.

(sighs) I'll rest here.

If he moves, if anything changes, wake me.

MISS BLENKINSOP: They're his meetings for today.

How could he do all of these?

15 minutes for each.

"Everything's said that needs to be said "in a quarter of an hour, Miss Blenkinsop.

After that, it's hot wind."

Cancel them, Miss Blenkinsop.

Every one.

Be careful not to give too much away.

We mustn't alarm people.

MISS MARDLE: Mr. Grove.

Roger.

What are you doing here?

You should be at home.

I'm needed here.

Are you quite well, my dear?

I am Chief of Staff.

In the absence of Mr. Selfridge, I must take his place.

This ship needs a captain.

I am that man.

(moaning) (breathing heavily) (panting) Where are you going?

(laughing) I'm late for work.

No one will notice.

And I need company.

And I told you, I'm late for work.

(door closes) Well, quite.

We all must pull together.

Yes, I know.

Taking it bad, isn't he?

Your Mr. Leclair.

He's not my Mr. Leclair.

Aw...

He needs a big cuddle.

Come on, Agnes, you know you want to.

Just stop it, all right?

Mr. Selfridge is lying ill, and all you can do is go on.

Is everything in order here?

Miss Hawkins.

We must arrange for some new stock to be brought to the floor.

I will need someone to assist me.

I've had enough of her.

What have I ever done to her?

You haven't done anything.

But you know, when we got our positions here... Well, I think Kitty sort of thought she might be Senior Assistant.

Did she?

You've got to feel for her.

She might lark about, but she wants to get on.

MISS RAVILLIOUS: No chatting, girls.

One minute to opening.

Sorry, Miss Ravillious, I dropped that.

A lady gave it to me outside.

I hope there's not going to be any trouble.

If there is, it will come from the police.

The violence they displayed outside the House of Commons was shocking.

You were there?

I'll keep this.

It's best to be prepared.

So how's the invalid?

Frank.

What lovely flowers.

Thank you.

If you hadn't come that night, Frank, I don't know what would have happened.

I was so angry with him.

He can't treat me like that.

I'm not someone he can just use and forget.

Then he doesn't even come to see me, he doesn't even say sorry.

I hate him.

He's had an accident.

Crashed his motor.

My God.

Frank, is he all right?

I thought you hated him.

Frank, is he?

He's still unconscious.

I've got to see him!

You can't, he's at home.

For God's sake, Ellen.

This is my fault.

Of course it isn't.

I woke up and he hadn't come.

I wished him dead.

If you really want to help him, lie low and make sure all this doesn't get left at his door.

Maybe I want it to be.

No.

Maybe I want the world to know what sort of man he is.

No more news on the Chief?

Mr. Crabb says we've got to think positively.

He's right.

Victor...

I don't want to fight with you.

Are we friends?

Of course we are.

Do you want to do something after work tonight, then?

We could go to Clerkenwell, meet your uncle.

I can't tonight.

Maybe another night.

I have been called to an emergency staff meeting, and my Senior Assistant in Fashion has chosen today of all days to be afflicted with a cold.

Please, Miss Towler, would you oversee both departments while I am upstairs?

It's a bit much for me to do both departments, Miss Ravillious.

Perhaps I could oversee Fashion and Miss Hawkins could do Accessories?

Very well, we must all pull together today.

Ooh, Kitty.

Do I have to call you "Miss Hawkins"now?

I think it'd be best, don't you?

Ah, yeah.

His pupils are dilating in response to the light, which is a good sign.

(mumbling) And it's encouraging that he's making sound.

But not sense.

Sense, we must hope, will come later.

Doctor, his hand.

It moved.

Can you hear me, Mr. Selfridge?

It's a waiting game.

ROSALIE: Mother... Mr. Musker's downstairs.

He's asking to see you.

Mr. Musker.

I'm so sorry to impose upon you.

Not at all.

I came as soon as I heard the news.

How is he?

A little better, thank you.

Compos mentis?

No, not yet.

I see.

My dear Rose, I'm sorry to raise this at such a difficult time, but I do need to clarify something.

The company lawyer is being somewhat cagey about what plan is in place in the family in the event that... Well... Who is going to inherit the family shareholdings if Harry doesn't pull through?

I ask this as a major investor.

I do need to know.

Um... Well, it would be our son, Gordon.

Harry believes that commerce is a man's world.

But Gordon's still a pup!

I think his shareholdings are placed in a trust, and then Lois and I, we would manage them until he came of age.

Excellent, excellent... Well, we could always get him a good trainer if it came to it.

Which I'm sure it won't.

Would you care for some tea?

No, no.

I'll leave you in peace.

Have you good doctors?

The best, I believe.

If you need any help in any way... You're very kind.

Not at all.

You really must let me know if there's anything I can do.

That's so kind of you, thank you.

(trailing off): I am sure Harry would appreciate you coming by, Mr. Musker.

We're all doing the best that we can.

Harry... What have I done to you?

GROVE: Until Mr. Selfridge is better, all decisions will go through me.

What decisions do you mean exactly, Mr. Grove?

The day-to-day running of the store.

Any problems that you would normally bring to Mr. Selfridge.

Problem number one, then.

We need a new window display as the motor is wrecked.

Do you have any suggestion?

Not at present.

Mr. Selfridge had a full list of appointments... (all talking at once) MISS MARDLE: Everybody, please!

Mr. Grove needs to assimilate this information.

He has come in to assume his duties under very difficult circumstances.

Thank you, Miss Mardle, I really am most capable.

Of course you are.

But it might be easier if people spoke to you one at a time.

That would be sensible, yes.

MISS RAVILLIOUS: As we are all together, however, I think we should discuss this.

The Suffragettes will be walking past the building tomorrow.

Some other stores are very worried about it.

Ghastly women-- lock them up, throw away the key.

MISS RAVILLIOUS: That's as may be, Mr. Grove, but we need a strategy for tomorrow.

If Mr. Selfridge were here, he would have one.

Well, they're not coming in the building, that's clear.

PEREZ: But tomorrow is Tuesday!

Well?

The ladies lunch here on a Tuesday.

They are not to set foot within these four walls.

Is that clear?

Cancel the lunch.

The procession shouldn't be dominated by Mrs. Pankhurst.

I agree, the Pankhursts are demanding too much centralization.

But these inner divisions, they must not weaken the movement.

Table for three, Lady Loxley?

If we become weak, our adversaries may roughly take advantage of us.

Why were you late?

I'm sorry, I didn't get a wink of sleep last night.

I was so cut up about Mr. Selfridge.

Well, he's not dead yet.

But we soon will be.

Mr. Grove's canceling the ladies' lunch tomorrow.

(exhales) And I'm not going to break the news to Lady Loxley.

You are.

Pa's going to be fine, you know.

You have his optimism.

And his eyes.

(sobbing) Ma?

What is it?

Life is complicated.

Where was Pa that night anyway?

He was with Mr. Edwards, I believe.

He's allowed to go out and have fun and you're not.

It's not fair.

(chuckling) Oh, what a very modern woman you are.

(horn honking) (horn honking) (customer voices buzzing) (elevator bell dings) WOMAN: What a strange little boy.

WOMAN: Little boys in department stores?

Ah!

Sir, did he take anything?

MAN: Well, let me check.

Stop that boy!

There he goes!

WOMAN: Stop that boy!

(customers yelling) Oof!

I'm Gordon Selfridge.

My father's Harry Selfridge.

Leave the boy alone.

He's telling the truth.

Are you all right?

Ah, Mr. Colleano.

Tomorrow, we'll need the private room for 20.

Tomorrow is going to be difficult, Lady Loxley.

I hope not.

I am entertaining the chairwomen from 19 regional branches.

There are concerns about the demonstration.

Management thinks that no Suffragettes should come into the building in case things get out of hand.

I thought this store was pro-The Vote.

It is.

It was.

WOMAN: Yet they close their doors to us at the smallest sign of trouble.

I'm not staying in such a cowardly establishment.

Where is Mr. Grove's office?

Come this way, Lady Loxley.

(phone ringing) MISS MARDLE: Roger, don't you think it's too early to come back?

There must be a lot to be getting on with at home.

The house is so quiet.

I can't be there.

You don't have to be there alone.

Not now... not ever.

I would give this up gladly for you.

(door opens) Is it you who is in charge while Mr. Selfridge is ill?

It is.

You mustn't cancel the ladies' lunch tomorrow.

If you do, it will cause grave aggravation.

I have to disagree with you, Lady Loxley.

It's allowing these women into the building that will cause aggravation.

I'm one of "these women."

With great respect, I believe the fairer sex are not equipped to understand or to take part in the rough world of politics.

Bunkum!

Excuse me?

What do you think, Miss Mardle?

Violent methods are not the way to achieve anything.

Desperation breeds violence.

Are you going to reinstate this lunch?

No.

Then I cannot be responsible for the actions of the militants tomorrow.

Good day to you.

Insufferable woman!

She is a valued client.

I don't care who she is!

She can't come in here and tell us how to run our own store.

CRABB: She could have a point, though.

I'm trying to think what Mr. Selfridge would do.

He'd use this march tomorrow to the store's advantage.

He wouldn't put people's backs up.

And that is what you think I'm doing?

I just think you should reconsider.

My decision is final.

FRANK: You shouldn't be doing this.

You're not well enough.

It's a matinee.

The punters won't notice if I go on half-cocked.

Take the afternoon off, and damn 'em.

I can't, Frank.

It's my bread and butter.

I'm on my own now.

I have to think about where the money's coming from.

Unless I speak to the papers about me and Harry.

That would earn me a nice little nest egg.

Short-term gain, my dear, long-term loss.

You'd find it hard to tread these boards again.

I'm not sure I care.

I'm fed up with this place, I tell you.

You don't need the Gaiety.

Why don't you try your hand at something else?

Like what?

Serious acting.

But could I do it?

Of course you could, you've got real talent.

I could introduce you to some playwright chaps.

Oh Frank, would you?

I'd love that!

I'd be delighted.

Of course, the highbrow set don't like scandal.

Articles in the papers about affairs and such like.

It's very off-putting.

That's the deal, is it?

That's the deal.

I'll think about it.

See, give it a little tap...

The telephone at the Selfridge house seems to be permanently engaged.

It's probably journalists.

I know the family, I will take him home.

Miss Towler has made friends with him.

Perhaps she could accompany us.

There, you wind itback up.

There you go.

(clears throat) GORDON: What's it like working for Pa?

He's fair and he believes in people.

He's a genius.

He's the best man in the world.

But if he died...

He's not going to.

I'd have to run the store.

You'd have help until you got older.

Your mother, your sisters, your grandmother?

They're girls.

They can't do it.

Commerce is a man's world.

Where have you been?

We've been worried sick.

LECLAIR: He was at the store.

Mr. Leclair, thank you so much for bringing him back.

My great pleasure.

How is Harry?

He's, uh, still not himself.

We're all praying for Mr. Selfridge, ma'am.

We all so want him to get well.

You're very kind.

Well.

(door closes) You must never run away again.

Anything could have happened to you.

Do you understand that?

I wasn't running away.

What were you doing, then, for heaven's sake?

I was just checking to see if the store was all right.

It's mine if Pa dies.

What?

VIOLETTE: What do you mean it's yours?

Ma, is this true?

How dare you speak about your father that way!

How dare you!

Go to the library.

Go on, all of you.

Go!

I'm sure Gordon didn't mean to upset you, dear.

We were fighting, Lois.

Harry and I. I should have gone after him.

But I didn't.

I'm not angry with Gordon, I'm mad with myself.

No, I have to get back.

You like children?

Yes, I do.

You are good with them.

Maybe you should marry and have babies.

No, not me.

I've got too much to do.

Do you have a young man?

There is someone, but he, um... he tells me what's what a bit too much.

What about you?

That French girl.

That "French girl" is in New York, so... Actually, there is someone in England I like very much.

An ingénue.

I don't know how to say that in English.

An "innocent"?

Is that the right word?

Yes.

Yes.

The thing is, I hope she likes me, but if I make an advance, I might frighten her away.

You probably wouldn't.

You think?

So what are you going to do?

What do you think I should do?

Maybe...

Wait for her?

I'm good at waiting.

(applause) Great show, Ellen.

Wonderful.

Well... No more Gaiety.

All those men in the dark wanting a piece of you, and we know what piece, don't we?

Time to move on.

(breathing heavily) Get out!

ROSE: Harry?

Get out!

ROSE: Harry, can you hear me?

Get out!

Get out, get out!

I'm sorry to drag you all into this.

We've got a real problem on our hands tomorrow.

Unless we do something about it, the store could be in real trouble.

Are you sure this is a good idea?

I'm not sure about anything, but I have a hunch this is what the Chief would do.

Mr. Grove will feel let down.

Mr. Grove is not himself.

Mr. Grove.

Let me walk home with you.

Good night, Mr. Crabb.

Good night, Mr. Grove.

Good night, Miss Ravillious.

Good night, Mr. Grove, Miss Mardle.

You might have heard we've got a little demonstration on our doorstep tomorrow.

MAN: Women getting carried away... Nobody's listening, you have to fight to be heard!

The Suffragettes are about progress.

That's why the Chief has endorsed their products.

Emancipated women are the future, like automobiles and airplanes.

It would be a disaster for Selfridge's to be perceived as anti-suffrage.

We have a plan to avoid trouble.

But it requires you all putting in some extra hours.

If you want to go home now, that's up to you.

Otherwise, let's roll up our sleeves and get on with it.

(applause) You're not staying?

I can't.

I've got a chance for my own restaurant, Agnes.

This person might back me.

Gosh, that's wonderful.

Who is it?

No one you'd know.

Anyway, I'm meeting her...

Him, tonight.

I've got to go or I'll be late.

60 yards of the purple, please.

Quick as you can.

You take this one and those two.

Leave the blue one.

Right in the window, please.

(sighs) How are we doing?

We're going to be good.

Yes!

That's all right, ladies, we need to fold it now.

Let me help you with that.

Voilàà.

I'd ask you in, but it doesn't seem right somehow.

I know she's dead, but I must still respect her.

I understand.

Good night, Josie.

Roger... You cared for Hettie for 12 years.

You mustn't feel guilty.

This is your time... now.

You deserve it.

(door closes) (sobbing) (ticking) Mr. Selfridge would have loved this challenge, and that we rose to it.

He believes every man can be better than he is.

What about every woman, Mr. Crabb?

Um, women, too.

Thank you, everyone.

Sleep well and see you all tomorrow.

You were inspirational today.

Well done.

(breathing heavily) HARRY: Mother?

Harry!

Are you all right?

I've got one hell of a headache.

Oh, Harry!

Pa!

DOCTOR: Good morning, Mr. Selfridge.

I need to check your pulse.

You've had a bump to the head.

You crashed your automobile, Pa.

I did?

I don't remember.

DOCTOR: May I ask you a few questions?

Yes.

Who are these people in the room?

My family, of course: my wife, my mother and my daughter.

And who's the prime minister?

Mr. Asquith.

And what is your full name?

Harry Gordon Selfridge!

Very good.

(all laughing) Pa!

Hey!

Where's Violette?

Still sleeping.

What are you doing?

I gotta go to the store.

That is out of the question.

Let him.

FRASER: Your coat, sir!

I thought I might walk.

Get some air.

(door closes) (whistles blowing) (people yelling) Support our cause, sir.

Madam, I am a big supporter of women.

PROTESTORS (chanting): Deeds, not words!

Deeds, not words!

Votes for women!

Votes for women!

PROTESTORS: Deeds, not words!

Deeds, not words!

Deeds, not words!

(whistles blowing) (glass breaking in distance) (chanting continues) There's a large group of women coming this way.

They're smashing windows.

Oh, Lord.

The police have started making arrests.

The mood has turned very ugly.

Mr. Leclair, the curtains are still closed on the windows.

You must open them now.

We're not quite finished.

Open them.

(glass breaking) Votes for women!

Votes for women!

Deeds, not words!

Votes for women!

(whistles blowing) Ladies!

Ladies!

Ladies!

This building behind me has closed its doors to us, like Parliament has closed its ears.

Are we going to accept it?

No!

Are we going to show them we mean business?

Yes!

Come on, then!

(women shouting) (shouting stops) Look at the windows!

WSPU!

(women cheering) Votes for women!

Votes for women!

(women cheering) (women gasping) Ladies, give him some space, he needs air.

Let me through, let me through.

Pa!

Pa!

(groaning) Violette!

What are you doing here?

I could ask the same of you.

Is he all right?

Who is he?

He's my father, Harry Gordon Selfridge.

(murmuring approval) Three cheers for Mr. Selfridge!

Hip hip... Hooray!

Hip hip... Hooray!

(Harry laughing) Hip hip... Hooray!

LINNEY: Stay tuned for more ab We have big plans, Frank.

Sir Arthur, this is Mrs. Selfridge.

Enchanted.

It'll be a lucky man who gets you for a wife, Aggie.

AGNES: I'm not looking to be anyone's wife just now.

Hello, Miss Bunting.

Is that yours?

KITTY: Why did you do that?

Can't you see?

She's hungry.

Crabb, there's a séance in the Palm Court this evening.

Mrs. Grove is scarcely cold in her grave.

(gasping) LINNEY: Starring Jeremy Piven, "Mr. Selfridge,"next time on Masterpiece Classic.

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