Episode 4

♪ ♪ I'm sorry that I have to go.

No, I understand.

The time flies.

And I know we had all night, but all I can think about is when are we going to kiss again?

Now.

(both laugh softly) (door closes) Mr. Selfridge, I wondered if you had any more trouble from the servicemen, after that shopgirl was attacked?

There's no story.

You're wasting your time.

Excuse me.

Well, they've all been moved on now.

I was wondering how you're feeling about that, s... HARRY: As you all probably know, we need two new staff members.

Now, I'll be looking outside the store for the head of display, but I'd like to find our next store deputy... right here.

GROVE: The successful applicant will keep their current position, but will also take on extra duties.

And extra pay.

So, if you'd like to throw your hat in the ring, now is the time.

Act fast.

Oh, one more thing.

Mrs. Edwards is returning after her recent misfortune.

We're very glad you're back.

Indeed.

Hear, hear.

Thank you, Mr. Selfridge.

And if there's anything you need, please just ask.

Thank you all very much.

Gordon.

Just a moment, please.

Mrs. Edwards, how are you?

Such a terrible ordeal.

KITTY: Well, thank you, Miss Pertree.

I've kept things going whilst you're away.

Summer Flora should be at the front of the perfume display, and... these brushes should be in a fan... not a wigwam.

I'll deal with the rest myself.

HARRY: And I can understand naturally you expected the deputy position, and I thought, to be fair, that you should apply alongside everyone else.

Uh, actually, I'm...

I'm-I'm not sure I'm ready.

I tried stepping up before, remember, at the fashion event.

You pulled me off it, it was such a disaster.

Well, we all need to learn.

And I still am.

It never stops, believe me.

Store deputy is such an important job.

Your right-hand man.

Maybe... in a few years' time... All right.

Thank you for letting me know.

(low conversations) So... who do you think will go up for store deputy?

The store is open-- this is no time to gossip.

What about you?

Sorry?

You know this place inside out.

W... you mean me for the deputy position?

You've been here years, head of two departments.

(laughs) Well... that-that is completely different.

Is it?

Well, there's no harm in asking, is there?

(women talking nearby) You have customers waiting.

Come along now.

(knocking on door) Come.

(door opens, closes) My staff report.

Miss Hawkins seems to be settling in rather well.

Ah, splendid.

Splendid.

(knocking on door) The job description.

Thank you.

Store deputy-- I'm going to apply.

Oh.

Funnily enough, Miss Hawkins told me I should apply.

Oh, she said I knew the store inside out.

Indeed you do.

Rather more to it than that.

Good knowledge of strategy, understanding of finance.

Obviously.

Need someone with a bit of backbone and stamina.

Yes.

Yes, of course.

Leader of men.

I have been the head of two departments.

Yes?

Well, I've managed staff.

Well, a few.

I've been in sole charge of stocks and sales.

That's a fraction of what passes through here every day.

And you said yourself, I'm an asset to this store.

Indeed you are, but no woman has ever held a senior management position at any store.

I have none of the female impediments of marriage and children, and I have an impeccable record, Mr. Grove.

As well you know.

You're not going to apply.

I wasn't... but now I rather think I will.

(door opens, closes) (knocking on door) Yes.

Mr. Selfridge, might I have a word?

Of course.

I'd like to apply for the position of store deputy.

You've turned Fashion into a huge success and are very well liked among the staff.

Really?

Mm.

Well, I'm very flattered.

I wasn't sure if the role of deputy was a suitable job for a woman.

Well, the world is changing, Miss Mardle, very slowly, but I can tell you the job will go entirely on merit.

Well, that's very refreshing, Mr. Selfridge.

Thank you very much.

(sighs) Excuse me.

Would you happen to know a Mrs. Edwards works here?

Who's asking?

Joe Tooby.

I'm a journalist, Daily Sketch.

Hmm... My sister married one of those.

He hangs around the house all day, typing.

I'm probably miles out, but wouldn't happen to be Mr. Frank Edwards, would it?

So you're her sister.

Look, I'll be straight with you.

Feelings about ex-servicemen are running high, and working women.

She was just walking home.

Best thing you can do is get a picture of the real Kitty out there before people can muddy the waters.

You'd be doing her a big favor.

Trust me.

In my opinion, there's no better man for the job.

You're very kind.

One wonders, of course, what the chief is really looking for and who else is applying.

You're not tempted?

Not at my age.

I wonder about young Mr. Selfridge.

Gordon?

He's keen, he's able and he's the chief's son.

He's not going to sleep, this one.

Oh.

Come here.

MRS. CRABB: Oh, look.

(laughs) Butter wouldn't melt.

Daddy's little soldier, aren't you?

There's no doubt the job would be welcome.

And some more money, now that we have another mouth to feed.

Eh?

(chuckles) One thing the war teaches you, glad to be home where the heart is.

His teether.

GROVE: Oh.

I'm sure he doesn't need a teether.

Eh?

Got a very healthy set of choppers in there, haven't you?

(laughing) (gasps) (crying) Going out?

You guessed.

To see Victor Colleano?

If Pa knew, he'd have a fit.

So... why don't you tell him?

I thought I'd talk to you first.

Come off it, Gordon.

You're scared I'd tell Pa about your secret love.

Miss Calthorpe is just a friend.

Sure.

I saw the way you looked at each other.

She works at the store.

So what?

You know, I don't care if Pa has a fit over me and Victor because I can stand up for myself.

Is that what you're doing... when you're out at all hours mixing with God knows who?

I'm sure it's all very exciting, but you've got a reputation to think of, and not just yours.

I'd rather be shameful than spineless.

♪ ♪ Mind yourself, son.

(chuckles) All right, Joey, boy, looking sharp.

Bar's closing.

Ladies and gentlemen, no more drinks.

The bar is closed.

No more drinks.

(music stops) No more drinks, ladies and gentlemen.

No more drinks.

(chattering) ELSA: No.

No!

What do you mean, no?

One glass of champagne.

But it's not just one glass, it's not just you.

All right, everybody, listen here.

No alcohol after half 9:00.

(patrons grumbling) That's the law and I'm sticking to it.

Come on, Victor, two whiskeys for... No, no more.

I've said.

Wind it in.

That's it.

Duke, let's have another song.

Yeah?

Get 'em dancing again, yeah?

Yeah, yeah.

Cheers.

Let's do... (band begins playing) ♪ ♪ Victor?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ BLENKINSOP: "Selfridge's Attack-- The Inside Story.

"Two weeks ago, attractive redhead Kitty Edwards "was attacked on the street "by a gang of homeless former servicemen.

"A close family member gave us the lowdown on Selfridge's Miss Hoity-Toity."

What a tawdry article.

Awful.

Don't you think?

"Mr. Selfridge, notorious for his liberal views, "has always promoted those females who demand to work alongside men."

"They strut the shop floor, preferring a wage over wifely duties"!

(gasps) "Had she not been working late into the night, Mrs. Edwards might have avoided her assault."

That's not fair-- it could have happened to any of us.

I know.

What's that?

(gasps) CONNIE: Kitty!

I can explain.

It's not my fault.

I never said half of it!

Not like that!

What were you thinking?

They told me it would help!

They told me that other people, papers, would say horrible things about you.

Oh, and he hasn't?

I just wanted to come back and do my job.

It's like having their hands all over me again.

Kitty!

Thank you.

That's wonderful.

Thank you.

Madame Selfridge.

Miss Blenkinsop.

You have some information for me?

I left no stone unturned.

Princess Marie Wiasemsky.

Her previous addresses, a list of her creditors, and what I estimate to be her outstanding debt.

(chuckles) I knew it.

Thank you.

I-I'm so sorry, Mr. Selfridge.

Please don't apologize-- this is a gross intrusion.

I-It was my sister... Connie.

Well, I know how the press can be.

Never says it exactly, but... it's like I deserved what happened.

I'm gonna write a letter.

I'm gonna let them know what a good example you've been to the rest of the staff, how proud I am of the women that work here, because at Selfridge's, we always reward hard work.

(softly): Thank you, Mr. Selfridge.

GORDON: I understand some of the staff are talking.

The best thing we can do is... ignore it, carry on, do our jobs well.

No gossip.

Has your father said anything to you about the store deputy job?

I'm not applying for it.

Why not?

Not enough experience.

You've got lots of experience.

You'll be running the store one day, won't you?

It's the ideal opportunity to learn alongside him.

Gosh, if it was me, I'd...

It doesn't matter!

Excuse me.

Edgerton.

Some replies for you... from the members of the former Procurement Committee.

More of a mixed bag.

Some haven't replied, some have replied at length, declining your invitation for a meeting, and expressing outrage at the very thought.

So who is coming?

Well... more than I expected.

Curiosity must have got the better of them.

As you see, your friend Harry has written to the papers.

(chuckles) All because some silly shopgirl got roughed up.

Mm.

Still, it's all grist to the mill.

I don't suppose you're going to tell me what you're up to?

Enhancing my reputation.

They're coming at 7:00.

Don't be late.

(heavy sigh) Lois!

How lovely to see you.

Please, come in.

You're still here, then.

It's my flat.

The decorations are taking so much longer than planned.

You don't have a flat.

You moved out a month ago.

You thought my son would put a roof over your head.

When he didn't, you came here and charged it to him.

I... had no choice.

That, I can believe.

A list of your creditors... your previous addresses... your debts.

Miss Mardle.

Mr. Grove, I'm requesting an afternoon off.

Very short notice.

Well, it's our quietest day, and I have instructed my staff accordingly.

Very well.

Thank you.

Of course, the store deputy could expect very little time off.

Yes.

(door closes) When Serge and I arrived in Paris, we had nothing.

No servants, no money.

Only... my title.

We were lucky to escape with our lives.

You... you can't imagine what it was like.

So, what did you do?

I made friends.

And money?

Came from friends.

I will pay them all back one day.

(chuckles softly): How?

Before I left Russia, I hid my jewels.

The emeralds alone are worth a fortune.

But they're in Russia.

Only my maid, Olga, knows where.

As soon as she can, she will bring them to me.

So... how did Rosalie come into the picture?

When Serge fell in love with her.

With her?

Or with her money?

Do you think I would let my only son go into a loveless marriage?

Oh!

Of course...

I wanted the best for him.

I am his mother.

It's hard enough to let them go; you know that.

I was lucky-- when Harry married Rose, I felt I'd gained a daughter, not lost a son.

And they looked after you.

What are you going to do?

I need to think.

(piano playing gentle classical music) Harry.

I saw the newspaper.

As if that poor girl hasn't been through enough.

All that rubbish about you.

Don't worry, I'll set them straight.

I've sent a letter to all the papers.

We have to stand up to this.

I knew you would.

I'm so very happy to see you.

And I hope to see you later.

Harry... this is Mr. Gerrard, the architect.

Mr. Selfridge.

So you two have worked together before?

Not on this scale.

It's truly inspiring.

I've done some plans.

We may want affordable social housing, but we'll still need to conform to planning and sanitation laws.

Mr. Gerrard is... very meticulous.

Mm.

(chuckles softly) Well, how about a... a model?

That would be wonderful.

So that people can really see it taking shape, and they can be inspired by it.

Of course.

Now, I'm keen to hear your thoughts.

(indistinct chatter nearby) (clears throat) How are you?

Ah.

Gentlemen, shall we?

Follow me.

Please, take a seat.

Anywhere.

I am very grateful... to those of you who are here.

A few felt unable to attend.

I... know why, and I understand.

I want to... apologize... ...to you and... to the soldiers that I have let down... ...when I put profits over their well-being.

Their lives, Loxley.

Your shoddy boots may have cost them their lives!

My actions were shameful, but I stand before you a changed man.

Ha!

The war has changed us all.

(murmuring) We find ourselves in a new world, one where we may look in vain for the old traditions, the old values, where we may ask, "For what... did we fight?"

The grand houses in Piccadilly are rented to foreigners.

Our servants demand exorbitant wages and seem to have lost all sense of place.

We have former soldiers unemployed, falling into lives of poverty and crime.

We have women... who want to vote and work, forsaking the duties of hearth and home.

So...

I give you the Loxley Charitable Foundation... ...for former servicemen.

We should help them take their place in society again, these brave men... who gave their all for king and country.

Who have returned to a world turned upside down.

Let us... bring them out of the shadows and into the light.

(applause) Thank you.

GROVE: Is the handwriting at all familiar?

I don't recognize it.

What does it say?

Oh, it's-it's unpleasant.

We're gonna pass it on to the police.

It's because of that newspaper article, isn't it?

They know who I am.

Where I work.

The sort of coward who writes a letter like this never reveals themselves in person.

HARRY: We have store security.

They'll make sure you're safe.

Thank you.

I'll call Inspector Johnson.

I'll make sure Frank knows, too.

Chief, I, uh...

I couldn't say in front of Mrs. Edwards, but, um, well, it's not the only letter.

"Two brave soldiers end up behind bars.

You'll have to watch your back."

Should she stay at home, do you think?

For how long?

For the rest of her life?

Mrs. Edwards has done nothing wrong, Mr. Grove.

Remember that.

(door closes) Hi there.

Grace.

Grace, I'm sorry.

I was...

I was rude to you before.

You were just asking about the deputy position because you care, and-and I want you to know...

I'm...

I'm jolly grateful.

Excuse me.

Grace.

(clears his throat) I've wanted to do that for ages.

You can do it again if you like.

All right.

(church bells tolling in the distance) Peace offering.

There.

(laughs) Thank you.

I'm worried I've upset you, Doris.

No.

I was rude to you.

I'm sorry.

(baby laughing) He's grown.

Do you think he'll take after you or Mr. Grove?

(crying) (crying): Promise you won't breathe a word.

I promise.

That man in the store... we were childhood sweethearts.

I hadn't seen him for years.

He went off to France like all the men, and then, I met him again when he was home on leave round my mother's.

(crying): Mr. Grove was away for months.

I used to think... what if I never see him again?

That's all I wanted-- comfort.

Oh, my dear, lots of things happened during the war.

Ernest is Billy's baby.

Oh!

Madame Selfridge.

Princess Marie.

Marie, I'm sorry I haven't been in touch more...

Please.

It's me who should apologize.

Oh, no, that's not necessary.

Your family have been so kind to me.

I can't repay them, but I can stop...

I'm sure they will understand.

...being a burden.

I do have debts.

I won't deny it.

Until my jewels come, I am... a pauper.

I'll move out of the hotel.

I'll find a bedsit in Bayswater.

Marie, will you listen to me?!

My grandmother had a recipe for soup.

Can I get a word in?

Marie, you are a mother-in-law of a Selfridge, and a princess.

There will be no bedsit and soup.

You'll have to move in here.

Oh.

Oh, thank you.

But this reckless spending has to stop.

Oh.

Oh, it will.

It will.

Harry is not a bank.

No.

No, of course not.

And I would like you to talk to Serge.

Things are not right between him and Rosalie.

I know.

I'll do everything I can to help.

When... can I move in?

Hate mail?

We pass it to the police.

Damn newspaper article always brings them out of the woodwork.

Same person?

All different.

Oh.

Does Kitty know?

We had to tell her.

I'm worried I haven't helped.

I think the letter I wrote may have stirred things up even more.

It may have.

If not for Kitty, for you.

I hear on the grapevine Lord Loxley's setting up a charity to help former servicemen.

What?

It's hard doing business when you're outside the fold.

He's currying favor, rallying a lot of the old guard, you know, want the world back in 1914.

He's-he's a profiteer.

Have they forgotten?!

He's tapping into something.

Tradition.

Familiar values.

It's-it's what a lot of people want to hear.

You were vocal about your support for Kitty, and for women, generally.

Loxley's agitating.

Setting you up as pro-women and anti-servicemen.

I have done more for this country than he ever will.

I won't be put in a corner by Loxley, or the newspapers.

Now, if you could just put them down here for me.

Thank you, Mr. Selfridge.

My pleasure, Miss Calthorpe.

Thank you.

(clears his throat) (door opens) (muffled laughter) My pleasure, Miss Calthorpe.

(laughs) Won't someone wonder why you're carrying around boxes of ribbon?

Oh.

Done a stint in every department in this store, remember?

No one would bat an eyelid.

Oh.

You say you're not ready for the deputy job, but you probably know this place better than your father does.

(laughs) Hardly.

Well, when was the last time he sold a pound of tea, or packed a crate, or talked to buyers, or wrote an advertisement?

He's a lot to live up to, but you're your own man, and I think you're selling yourself short.

(laughs) Maybe I am.

(laughs) (door opens) Miss Calthorpe.

(knocking) Mmm.

Mmm.

I need to talk to you.

Goodness!

The architect's model-- how long will it take?

A couple of days.

Okay.

I'm going to be calling a press conference to announce the Selfridge Estates.

A press conference?

Yes, and I need you there right beside me.

But we haven't got the funding.

We don't even have a bank account.

I will raise the money.

(sighs) Why now?

Because I want to show people where I stand.

I'm not anti-servicemen.

I love this country.

And building those houses will prove that.

I'm not one for the limelight.

I need you.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you for getting the model done so quickly.

Pleasure.

I'll be at the back if you need me.

Good luck.

They're ready.

I couldn't have got here without you.

You'll be fine.

Ah.

(crowd chatter) HARRY: Gentlemen.

Gentlemen, as you know, we've had a tough couple weeks, and seeing as you lot can't get enough of us, I've got (laughter) some good news for you.

Our world has changed, and we're not sure where to turn.

Now, we all have our differences, but we can't be a country divided.

That's not what we fought for.

I'm grateful to Miss Webb... for her vision and inspiration.

She brought me an idea, and I saw it as a chance to help.

So, I give you... the Selfridge Estate.

(applause) 100 homes to be sold at cost to former servicemen and their families.

(applause) It's an awful lot of money.

I'm very glad the store isn't paying.

Now, gentlemen, as you know, while the men were away, the women did their bit as well.

We're giving these families the homes they deserve.

Hear, hear.

I got your message, Inspector.

Come in.

We've had a hard time deciding what to do with you, Mr. Edwards.

You committed a serious offense when you bought those men alcohol out of hours, against the Defence of the Realm Act.

I know, and i-if I'd known how it would turn out... A conviction would mean a fine.

Possibly a prison sentence, with hard labor.

But you came forward, eventually.

After such a... distressing experience, I wouldn't want to deprive Mrs. Edwards of her husband's support.

We won't be pressing charges, Mr. Edwards.

Thank you.

Thank you.

(door closes) I said I wasn't ready for the deputy job.

I was wrong.

Go on.

I've worked on the shop floor, dispatch, finance, personnel, publicity.

No one else has done all that.

I may be young, but my experience is unique.

Knowing how the store works is only half of it.

You need someone who understands you.

Do you remember mad Ma was at me when I left school to come and work here?

She wasn't just mad at you.

Well, it was a risk, but...

I was right.

I can keep things going here when you're busy with this estate.

I understand how important it is to you, to the family.

Ma would be proud of it, and happy to see me take my place here.

By your side.

All right.

You can have the job.

I may be quick to judge sometimes, and I'm not always right.

Can I have that in writing?

It's not gonna be easy.

I know.

Don't say anything until I let the others know.

Mr. Grove...

I'll break it to him gently, somehow.

You'll need his support.

(chuckles) (laughs) You're late.

I was at work.

There's always something to do.

(phone rings) Connie.

(Frank speaking indistinctly) I don't want us to go on like this.

Me neither.

I wish I could tell you how sorry I am.

You have.

I don't know how to put things right.

'Cause I can't undo what I've done.

None of us can.

But we're made of strong stuff, us Hawkins girls, and I need you to help me to be strong.

(phone hangs up in distance) (footsteps approaching) That was my publisher.

Obviously, they read the newspapers.

They're canceling the book.

They know we're married, they know I got those servicemen drunk.

Somebody at the police station must have a loose tongue.

They can't fire you 'cause of that.

They don't want any bad publicity.

Which means no one else will touch me with a barge pole, either.

For God's sake, I bought them whiskey.

If I'd known it was gonna end like this...

It's just a book.

This is much bigger than I was expecting.

(chuckles) It's the Selfridge Estate-- it was never going to be small.

This is about all of us, what we stand for as a family.

We have our differences, but when it counts, we pull together and we look after one another.

I have some other news I'd like to share with you.

Gordon.

Uh, I've got a new job.

Pa made me store deputy.

Oh, sweetheart, congratulations.

ROSALIE: That's fantastic.

Oh, I'm so excited.

Congratulations.

Thanks, V. So, this Nancy Webb.

This is her idea?

She's very intelligent.

With a lot of spirit and a big heart.

I see.

And while we're talking about family, Harry, there's something that I've been meaning to tell you, and this may come as... (distant crash) FRASER: There's even more, oh, put them somewhere else.

Mind the furniture!

Such a fuss.

I'm sure they're quite capable.

It's just a few cases.

Uh, you can't bring them in here.

Pile them up there, that's it.

SERGE: You moving in?

MARIE: Thanks to your wonderful father-in-law.

Trust me, there's a reason.

Like you said, we look after each other.

FRASER: Oh, put them down there.

Welcome.

Thank you.

It'll be lovely having you here, Marie.

MARIE: Thank you, my dear.

Such a kind girl.

So I said, "You must pack your bags..." I don't want to be rude, but I'm supposed to be going out.

No, not tonight.

They're old school friends-- we're going to the theater.

All right, but not too late.

How much more is there?

It's-It's just a few essentials.

To the blue guest room, please, Fraser.

You won't even know that I'm here.

I'll be as quiet as a mouse.

(laughs) Marie, you must see the Selfridge Estate.

Oh, yes.

And now that you are here...

I'll talk to Serge, you talk to Rosalie.

Done.

Bar's closing.

The bar is closing.

Finish up, now, the bar is closing.

You need to drink up now.

Bar's closing, thank you.

Delight.

Everything all right?

Let's go to your office.

I want to have fun.

Don't you want to wait?

I want you.

You fancy a dance?

Why not?

(laughs) ♪ ♪ Police!

Everybody stop what you're doing.

What do you think you're doing?

I want everybody lined up against this wall.

We stopped serving.

Shut up!

Right.

You, follow me.

You can't go down there!

Stay where you are.

Oi, what's going on here?

You're coming with me.

Get your hands off me!

Now, I said come with me!

Get off me, what's this about?

Come on.

Ow!

Come on.

You calm down.

Calm down.

I warned you, Colleano.

Purkiss, we've done nothing wrong.

What are you doing?

No.

Don't drink that drink.

Get up.

Drink it.

Drink it!

VICTOR: No, no!

Hold him, hold him.

Get off me.

Alcohol after hours.

(grunts) Police witnesses.

Think you'll get away with this?

Stay still.

And you said you didn't need my help?

You can't do that.

You leave Victor alone, or you'll regret it.

Violette Selfridge-- does your father know you're here?

Right, arrest her, and everybody else in here.

Out!

Right, out you go, you.

Come on, move it.

OFFICER: Let's go.

(thunder rumbling) (knocking) It's late.

You shouldn't be here.

I came to say you were good... at the launch.

You looked like you were enjoying yourself.

Are you sleeping with him?

What if I am?

That wasn't part of the plan.

I know what I'm doing.

Do you?

Just trust me.

That estate money's as good as ours.

Ne Visit us at pbs.org/masterpiece to watch video and explore features, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Season 3 of Mr. Selfridge 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