Episode 6

Previously on "Mr.

Selfridge."

What's the problem?

I'm flat broke.

Can you help me?

Sell whatever you have to.

I can run the remaining companies from London.

I'll make it right.

Don't ever come near my family or my store again.

GROVE: Will you be with me, Josie?

Will you be my wife?

The job offer's still open.

Good.

And I'm taking it.

VICTOR: You don't own a woman like Mae, Jimmy.

Keep away from her.

"Mr. Selfridge," tonight on Masterpiece.

♪ ♪ He was a good man.

Let's go to work, Harry.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Mother.

Is there news?

There is news.

You don't have to hide anymore.

The police suspect organized crime.

This means nothing.

It's gossip, rumors.

It means you're not in the frame.

In the frame or not, I...

I killed him.

Accidentally.

Then why do I feel like this?

You take things on.

More than you should.

Ever since you were a boy.

You can't hide here forever.

People will talk.

You've business in London to attend to.

You've made powerful friends, Jimmy.

Allies.

Men like Harry Selfridge.

You keep him close and you'll be fine.

Things have been difficult lately.

We need this to work.

A storewide summer promotion.

Classic Selfridge's.

A great idea, Pa. And preparations for the meeting with Keen this morning?

I've overseen it personally, every detail.

Ground floor, please.

Mr. Lyons has all he needs?

Ice cream cart?

Mr. Lyons has his cart.

It's good to have you back.

♪ ♪ Morning!

"Summer at Selfridge's."

What do you think?

I love it.

Well done, Mr. Lyons.

Thank you.

Mrs. Edwards.

Summer selection, Mr. Selfridge.

Ah, a final triumph for you, Mrs. Edwards.

You shall be missed.

Well, we've saved the best for last.

Let's see if your windows do Madame Rennard's collection justice.

♪ ♪ Your first windows.

They're superb, Mae.

Thank you.

Wonderful job, both of you.

We're in good hands.

Thank you.

How's George?

Um, well, he's not really talking.

He's been staying up late with his medals.

I think it's stirred up the past.

Well, him and Victor were best friends.

Give him time.

So, are you still telling people you and Frank are together?

That he'll join you in New York?

We are still married.

You must be nervous.

I can't imagine how I'd feel.

Oh, nervous, excited, too.

Elizabeth Arden, New York City.

It's a big challenge.

I meant about leaving Frank behind.

Bit of time apart might be just the tonic.

Anyway, must get on.

I'll see you later at my leaving party.

Have you seen this?

They're saying that Victor was mixed up in the underworld.

Oh, yes.

Ghastly business.

Who knows what really happened?

Your range is a sensation.

Orders are flooding in.

And the windows are a triumph.

Ah, yes.

Mr. Lyons, he's a real talent.

He's rather peculiar, though.

Well, most creative types are.

True.

Frank tells me you've declined press interviews.

Oh, Harry, I've been so busy with this range.

To be honest, I haven't really felt like it.

Throw them a bone.

You know how Mr. Crabb loves free advertising.

You love it.

Well, not that I want to tempt fate or anything, but at the moment, demand isn't really our problem, is it?

The machine room is close to breaking point.

I'll get Gordon on it.

I've got 15 machinists turning out three dresses an hour.

That's 400 dresses a day.

We're doing our best, but demand's high, and it's only going to go up.

Right, well, I'll tell you what.

We'll look into hiring extra machinists to ease the load.

Make sure to give them all regular breaks.

Fine work, ladies!

Keep it up.

(woman giggling) Don't sit there gawping!

And keep your seams straight, Brockless.

The board at the Civic have concerns, Mr. Selfridge.

The incident with the broken windows, the bad publicity, excessive if not frivolous spending.

A disturbing pattern.

Mr.

Keen, you want us to show a greater transparency.

Am I right?

Well, you ought to know we're getting our house in order.

We're consolidating, reining in our spending...

The summer promotion?

A cost that will return to us tenfold.

Selfridge's is on the up-and-up again, Mr.

Keen.

All to the good, but I should warn you that we at the Civic are looking to exert a more muscular executive presence in the future.

Of course.

For example, I would like to use an office space here in store.

For a couple of days a week.

Mr. Crabb?

We should be able to accommodate you, Mr.

Keen.

Why don't you come to our monthly directors meeting?

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Would that address your concerns?

It would.

(door opens) Boys?

I told you to wait!

I'm so sorry.

BOY: We've been looking for you!

Mr.

Keen.

Thank you, Mr. Selfridge.

What are you doing here?

Your father invited us.

HARRY: Now, I have a question for you boys.

What?

One second.

Who'd like ice cream?

Me!

GRACE: It's all they could think about this morning.

HARRY: Ah, they're good kids.

About time I got to know them better.

As a matter of fact, why don't you and Gordon come to dinner?

Rosalie's been asking after you.

We'd love to.

Can I have another one?

Please?

Another one already?

All right.

Oh, go on then.

Thank you.

Grace, excuse us for a moment, would you?

What's wrong?

Lord Wynnstay.

He's taking us to court.

Breach of contract.

What for?

Withdrawing our advertising.

I'll call the lawyers.

I can do it.

All right.

So, you're ready.

And if anyone should ask, you were seeing to your sick mother.

The police are looking elsewhere.

They'll keep doing that unless you give them a reason not to.

Oh, don't be a fool, Jimmy.

Look in the mirror.

Give them half a chance, they'll string you up.

Go back out there.

Put this behind you.

Focus on what really matters.

And what's that?

Flying high.

So they can never tear you down.

Here you are.

This arrived for you, by messenger from Temple.

Open it.

Well, what is it?

Connie... Victor set up a trust for our baby.

(gasps) But why?

Why us?

Victor knew so many people.

I haven't been a proper friend to him, not for years.

I let things slide, Connie.

George!

Victor loved you.

And this is proof.

KITTY: My story's like many of yours.

I first started out in Selfridge's in accessories, as an assistant.

I was ambitious, but I had no idea how I might progress.

Mr. Selfridge made that happen.

Not just for me-- others as well.

Because working at Selfridge's is like being part of a family.

Family is important.

Mr. Selfridge taught me that.

He has guided us through the ups and downs of life.

He encouraged us, believed in us, gave us a chance to shine.

This is the store that Mr. Selfridge built, and I'm proud to say that it's made me who I am.

I... (applause) New York won't know what hit them.

I'm not quite sure I can do this.

I've never been more confident of anything in my life.

It's been a pleasure working with you, Mrs. Edwards.

Director of Concessions, Elizabeth Arden.

I'll never forget what you've done for me.

It's me who should be thanking you.

♪ ♪ And I shall see you very soon.

New York's such a long way away, Kitty.

It's five days by boat.

It's nothing.

Four by zeppelin.

There's no way you're getting me in one of those things, George Towler.

Don't you feel guilty.

We always knew you'd be off one day.

Don't make me cry, George.

GEORGE: Have you said your goodbyes?

Nothing left to say.

I should go, slip away.

My boat-train's at 11:00.

I've got a cab waiting.

Oh, Kitty... A marriage that spans an ocean.

It's very modern, I suppose.

"And absence may," as the saying goes...

Absence won't heal your marriage, Frank.

You'd be a fool to think that.

I've been in your shoes, lost years with the woman I loved.

Life is short.

This is your last chance to make it right.

You let her go, you may not see her again.

My job is here.

Wynnstay's on our back with this damned writ.

To hell with Wynnstay.

We've worked together a long time, Frank.

You've saved my bacon more times than I can count.

Jobs come and go.

Love doesn't have to.

♪ ♪ Kitty!

Don't go.

I'm not going through this again.

What you did, it doesn't heal overnight, Frank.

It takes time.

Time and distance.

Wait, please, for pity's sake.

If you walk out that door, I'm scared I'll never see you again.

Please listen.

I want our marriage back, whatever it takes.

I have to go.

Let me come with you.

What?

To New York.

Now.

Tonight.

Start a new life, just the two of us.

What about your job here?

Harry's given me his blessing.

So... what do you say?

You haven't packed.

That was rather short-sighted of you, Frank.

I didn't want to presume.

To New York!

(laughing) Hello, Mae.

On your urging, I talk to the press and all they want to talk about is this...

The London Herald.

"Provincial stores sell off.

Selfridge's in trouble."

What's Wynnstay playing at?

Frank needs to sort this out.

Frank's gone.

He left for America with Kitty last night.

Right, what do you want me to say, then?

"No comment."

Tell them to move on.

This is because of the writ, isn't it?

It could be months before we get to trial, months of stories like this.

Normally, Frank would sort this out.

Would you be willing to call a truce?

Restore the advertising in Wynnstay's papers.

I would, but it's personal now.

Wynnstay's set against me.

He has no gripe with me.

If I sent you, he would take it as a sign of weakness and he'll think that he's got me on the run.

Perhaps that's a good thing.

(seagulls calling) GROVE: That is a beauty.

That's not for the collection.

That, my dear, is for you.

I've married a romantic.

Thank you.

I love it.

Do you know something?

I'm not afraid anymore.

With you by my side, I feel that what will come... Will come.

And until it does, I shall live my life as normal.

My work, my family... Ah, you wish to return to your old post.

Mmm.

(laughs) Do you know, I was rather afraid of your children, but I have to confess, I am rather missing them.

They adore you.

Even Meryl?

Even Meryl.

(screams) (angrily): Just great!

I'm so sorry.

It's easily fixed.

Sorry, where do you work?

Fashion.

Oh, perhaps I'll just knock over a few dress racks.

Easily fixed.

I didn't mean to do it!

Well, you were wandering along like a rummy.

I beg your pardon!

What gives you the right to be so rude?

I'm sorry.

Where is everyone?

A welcome lunch for the new machinists.

Why have you got all this work?

From when I worked on Miss Mardle's dress.

That isn't fair.

At all.

Forget I said anything.

Meryl, I need to get on.

I don't want to give them any excuse.

Excuse for what?

Just go.

Lord Wynnstay.

My father sends his apologies.

We would like you to drop your writ against us.

In exchange, we will continue to place advertisements in your papers as per our contract, which we intend to honor in full.

Your father said I'd never see another penny from Selfridge's.

Passions have cooled.

You tell your father, messenger boy, I will not drop my writ.

I shall see him in court.

I thought you might say that.

Our counsel feels this is a more than fair settlement.

You're young.

I expect you think everything has a price.

I wonder what your board would make of this: you turning down such a sum on account of a petty grudge.

They are sure to hear about it.

You do not own all the press, Lord Wynnstay.

The Selfridge pup has teeth.

(grunts) (exhales) (knocking) How are you, Harry?

Jimmy!

Where have you been hiding?

With my mother.

She's not been too well.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that.

No, no, no, she's better now.

Can I just say the store is looking absolutely fantastic?

It is.

"Summer at Selfridge's."

Magnificent.

We're back on form.

We should team up again, Harry.

What do you say?

Easy money out there for men like you and me.

I'm gonna have to take a pass on this one.

Can't take my eyes off the ball again.

Almost lost everything-- my store, my family.

I would have, if not for you.

I hope you understand, Jimmy.

So, we'll work together again, I promise, on the right project.

My door's always open to you.

Thank you.

So first, you were a showgirl, then a Lady of the Realm, head of a Parisian fashion house, and now designer at Selfridge's.

My goodness, you have done your homework.

(elevator bell dings) MAE: Ah.

I'm sorry, could you excuse me just a moment?

Jimmy.

It's been awhile.

Yes, I know.

My mother was ill. Ah.

I did wonder where you'd been.

I was sorry to hear about Victor.

Thank you.

He was an old friend.

It was a terrible shock.

I suppose it was.

I'm very sorry.

I should let you get back.

Goodbye, Mae.

Madame Rennard, I wonder if we might go over these figures?

Of course, Mr. Crabb.

Madame Rennard, can you sign off on these order sheets?

I'm concerned about the effect of all these additional machinists.

I'm concerned about feeding customer demand, Mr. Crabb.

MISS ELLIS: You missed one.

Mae, did you manage to speak to the press?

Oh, will you all just go away?!

That was unforgivable, Harry.

I apologize.

Don't.

My head's in a whirl.

Victor?

Victor burned bright and fast.

Fought in the war, achieved in business.

A full life.

In a funny sort of way, my life and Victor's were quite similar.

He had no partner, no children, buried himself in his work... You're not Victor.

I will die alone.

This collection, I've thrown myself at it and... it's worked, it's been a success.

I just feel so... empty.

We're having a family dinner tonight.

I want you to come.

That's a lovely thought, Harry, but I would be awful company.

(laughs) Even at your lowest, you still light up the room.

Come on.

I'm not going to take no for an answer.

Oh, now this was from Hythe.

Oh, and this was from Dymchurch, or was it Botany Bay?

(grunts) Did you swim?

Oh, yes.

Every evening, in the warm bath of my cottage.

(door opens) Oh, hello.

Oh!

Welcome back.

How are things at the store?

Very busy.

Meryl, perhaps we could have tea one day next week.

When you have your break.

Oh, that's a fine idea.

You could catch up on all store goings-on.

Father, can I ask you something?

But she's being singled out, loaded down with work.

Miss Brockless should bring the matter to me herself.

She doesn't want to make a fuss.

If those are her wishes, you should abide by them.

I don't want my first day back at work to be taken up by a petty squabble.

This all started because she worked on Josie's wedding dress.

So in a way, you're morally obliged to help.

Very well.

ROSALIE: Mae, you must be thinking of your autumn collection.

MAE: Mm!

Brown gabardine cloaks and sackcloth wraps.

(laughter) I've certainly learned that one good idea is not enough.

You have to have several, and for every new season.

I don't know how you do it, Harry.

I have a great team around me, the best in the business.

That's how you build a lasting enterprise.

I've made many mistakes, tragic mistakes.

But the best decision I ever made was bringing Gordon back into the store.

He's steadied the ship.

I don't want to let you go, so I've created a new position for you.

Managing Director at Selfridge's, Oxford Street.

(women gasp) Here's to you, Gordon.

GRACE: To Gordon.

Wow.

Congratulations.

Thank you!

Cheers, I suppose!

Roly.

Jimmy.

No, no, no, don't get up.

You might want to tell me next time you disappear.

I've had to turn away reams of perfectly good business.

Are you quite all right?

I'm fine, thanks for asking.

What have you got?

(chuckling) Jimmy wants a project.

If you're ambitious, and I think you are, oil's the next step.

Bring me something big.

Bricks and mortar.

Maybe I do have something for you.

Very long-term.

You can't be alone on this one, Jimmy.

You'd need a team around you.

Proper experts.

You've got my attention.

Thank you.

Mr. Grove.

Morning.

Lovely to see you, Mr. Grove.

How was your honeymoon?

Wonderful, thank you, Miss Plunkett.

Good to be back.

There's plenty to do.

Right.

(groans) PRU: Follow each pattern exactly, okay?

Everyone understand?

Follow me.

Go!

Make sure the new ones are up to speed.

They're a gobby lot.

A few of them came from Corley's.

You used to work at Corley's, didn't you, Tilly?

Yes.

Hello.

Oh.

Hello.

Perhaps I was a little hasty in assigning blame for your little mishap the other day.

I'd just like to apologize.

Again?

Oh, you heard me?

Sorry, I wasn't sure.

Perhaps because you muttered it so grudgingly.

Do you talk to your customers like this?

Thankfully, none of them resemble you, Mr. Lyons.

Now, I'm very busy, so I'll say good day.

(door straining) Oh, that's locked.

It's a cupboard.

I was wondering how your new machinists are settling in.

Very well, Mr. Grove.

We're slowly making a dent in the orders.

Excellent.

One of your machinists-- Miss Brockless-- I have been led to believe has been carrying an excessive workload of late.

What do you say about that?

Miss Brockless hasn't kept pace with the other girls.

Matter of fact, one of our new machinists worked with her at Corley's.

From what I hear, she was lucky to get this job.

Miss Brockless did have the correct references, didn't she, Mr. Grove?

All right.

Thank you.

You may go, Miss Ellis.

(knocking) Our new Managing Director!

How does it feel?

Exciting.

Challenging.

Intimidating.

No more so than stepping in the ring with someone like Wynnstay.

I couldn't have handled that one better myself.

Well, I hope to do you proud.

You already have.

(knocking) You said come back in with the right project, Harry.

Here it is.

I can go, if you'd like.

No, no, no.

Stay.

Right.

We should do this more often, you know, just the two of us.

I rather like coming into town.

I miss it.

Meryl, is everything all right?

The head of display.

Mr. Lyons.

He's possibly the rudest, strangest man I've ever met in my life.

After apologizing once, he seeks me out the very next day to apologize again.

My dear Meryl.

Have you ever considered that he may be soft on you?

Well, what sense does that make, approaching it like that?

Well, your first mistake is assuming sense is involved at all.

(whistles) Whiteley's?

Steel frame structure.

Portland stone.

Medallion cornice, bronze balconies, fluted Doric columns.

But it's losing money hand over fist.

Now, people in the know tell me the Whiteley Brothers are way out of their depth.

Word is, they're running out of cash and want out.

Is it for sale?

We just sold several department stores.

Now we buy one?

No, no, no, Gordon.

This isn't just a department store; it is a landmark family business.

Like Selfridge's.

Except it's in Bayswater.

Not exactly thriving.

And Selfridge's was at the wrong end of Oxford Street.

Come on, Harry, that's what they said, and you proved them wrong.

A mile of windows in central London.

Two flagship stores.

And a big commission for you, Jimmy?

I'm not bringing this to you as a broker.

I want to be part of it.

50/50 equity partner.

Didn't know retail was your game.

It's not, and that's why I'm coming to you.

You and your father are without doubt the best in the business.

I'm telling you, if there's anyone that can turn this place around, it's you.

What do you think, Pa?

It's a big job.

What do you think?

We could do this.

HARRY: (laughs) Jimmy's right.

If anyone can do it, we can.

(knocking) Come.

Miss Brockless, it has been brought to my attention that you are not entirely up front about your previous employment.

As you came to us without a reference from Corley's, I felt compelled to investigate.

I spoke to the foreman there, a Mr. Sitch.

You mustn't believe a single word that man says.

Sorry.

Mr. Sitch led me to believe that you left Corley's under a cloud of scandal, amid allegations of dishonesty.

Would you tell me about that, Miss Brockless?

I'm a good worker, Mr. Grove.

What happened at Corley's?

You won't believe me.

Miss Brockless, if you are honest with me, honest and thorough in your explanation of what happened, maybe we could come to an accommodation.

I can't tell you.

Then you know I have no choice.

Your references, and two weeks' pay.

That will be all, Miss Brockless.

Just follow my lead.

(knocking) It's William and Frank Whiteley.

Ah, William.

Frank.

My son Gordon.

Gordon.

Of course you know Jimmy Dillon.

He'll be partnering with us on this deal.

Still flying on Mr. Selfridge's coattails, I see, Jimmy.

I only work with the best.

So does Mr. Selfridge.

Shall we get on with it?

Before we start, you should know we've had another offer.

A very good offer.

HARRY: For another retailer?

Because there's none better than me.

A developer.

And what do they intend to do with it?

Housing.

All your father's work, turned to dust?

Our father's gone.

We've got to do what's best for us now.

One day, you'll be in our shoes.

GORDON: (scoffs) I'd never send a wrecking ball into Selfridge's.

Right, let's discuss a price.

What's your offer?

You're going to have to do better than that.

Gentlemen.

Excuse us.

(door opens) How much more do you think we need?

No more than £300,000.

You all in, Jimmy?

What about the money left over from the sale of the provincial stores?

That might just be enough.

That's all our liquidity.

No more safety net, no margin for error.

Isn't that how all great enterprises begin?

Let's make this deal.

(knocking) Yes?

Josie!

I wasn't expecting you.

I met Meryl for tea.

There we go.

Oh, I'm glad.

Ooh.

Oh, I say, thank you.

Is your return not as you'd hoped?

I'm not sure I can give this job what I used to.

Whatever decision you make, Roger, I will support you.

Then I think...

...I shall retire.

There.

I shall tell the chief when I find the right moment.

Then that's that.

Mae?

Oh, whatever's happened?

Something unexpected.

Something wonderful.

Oh, well, tell me!

Whiteley's.

We've just bought Whiteley's.

(laughs) Oh, well, that is incredible!

Jimmy, Gordon, and I, we just shook hands on a price.

It's an icon, a London landmark, and it's all ours.

And we're going to fill it with your range.

Madame Rennard's scarves, hats, lingerie...

I haven't felt this happy since Selfridge's was a muddy hole in the ground.

Well, welcome back, mile-a-minute Harry.

I've really missed you.

You're the first person I wanted to tell.

I just wanted to see the look on your face.

Oh, gosh.

And after all that talk of consolidation.

You know me better than I know myself.

I've always believed in you.

From the moment I first set eyes on you.

Why'd I ever let you go to Paris?

(footsteps) Pa?

Gordon, your father has just told me about Whiteley's.

Congratulations.

It'll be a challenge, but I think we can make it work.

Jimmy needs us.

Yes, well, I'm so happy for you, Harry.

Thank you.

Excuse us.

Good morning, Mr. Selfridge.

Hi.

So... All right?

Oh, yes.

♪ ♪ What a sight.

It's beautiful.

A palace.

Evening, boss.

Tooby, this better be good.

Victor Colleano, the vaudeville impresario.

Died a few weeks back.

The police tried to link it to some underworld associates of his.

The investigation's hit a brick wall.

Well, that's not much of a story, is it?

I think they've been looking in the wrong place.

This fellow Colleano mixed with some very interesting people.

Very interesting.

Would you like me to dig, boss?

Please.

Next time on Masterpiece...

This is two great dynasties coming together in a historic union.

Several of the suppliers are refusing to do business until a series of outstanding debts have been met.

Do much business with Colleano before he died?

Why on earth would you be interested in Victor Colleano?

"Mr. Selfridge," next time on Masterpiece.

Go to our website, listen to our new podcast, watch video, and more.

"Mr. Selfridge" season four is available on Blu-ray and DVD.

The companion book is also available.

To order, visit shopPBS.org or call us at 1-800-PLAY-PBS.

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