The Gilded Age

Aurora Fane is organizing another charity?

She must be a glutton for punishment

after the last time.

- You say that, but the bazaar made over $2,000,

which no one's ever heard of.

- She and Anne Morris were a laughingstock.

This is interesting.

- Do you know a woman called Clara Barton?

- No. - Excuse me.

What is it, Miss Scott?

- Just a letter for you to sign.

But I'd like to get it into the post before luncheon.

Quite right.

- Miss Barton has started a branch of the Red Cross

in the United States.

She's giving a talk at Aurora's house.

I'd like to hear Miss Barton.

- May I come with you? - Of course.

Thank you, Miss Scott.

Oh, look.

Miss Russell is going out.

With her wretched governess.

How can she stand it?

- I will not criticize Mrs. Russell

for her only virtue.

At least she keeps her daughter under control.

Under arrest, more like.

I wonder why her mother

hasn't brought her out properly yet.

- Because Mrs. Russell is not sure she can fill the ballroom.

You see?

I know more about these things than you give me credit for.

- You know I'd lose my job if your mother even suspects.

- I know you'll lose your job if she finds out

you've been taking brandy from the dining room.

It was purely medicinal.

Who is this young man anyway?

- Archie Baldwin. - Hyah!

He's very respectable.

His grandfather was an ambassador.

His father is a banker, and so is he.

His mother's people came over on the "Mayflower."

- Hmm, if everyone who claimed

to be on the "Mayflower" really was,

it would have to be the size of a White Star liner.

Where does he live?

35th Street.

And his parents are building a summer home at Newport.

- Well, why not just introduce him to your mother?

- He sounds ideal. - It's not as simple as that.

Here we are.

- Mr. Pasture's opening a magic lantern show

in his theater on Broadway.

It starts this Friday.

Fancy.

- Would you like to see it on your night off?

What, all alone?

- That could be my free night too.

Mr. Bannister wouldn't mind, not if we aren't entertaining.

I'll have to think.

- Don't think too long. - It's only running a week.

Go on. You might enjoy it.

- Mr. Bannister, you wouldn't mind, would you,

if Bridget and I had the same free night this week?

- I would have to serve dinner alone.

- But you do that when I have a free evening anyway.

- Today's young live for pleasure.

You don't know what hard work is.

- And we don't know what fun is.

What... what about Friday?

I'd be very grateful. So would Bridget.

I haven't said I'll go yet.

But you know you want to.

- I thought you'd gone hours ago.

- I wanted to finish some letters.

- Is everything set with the new station?

The bill's been passed.

And the stocks are high?

As high as the sky.

Then what's this about?

What do they mean, there's a rumor that the law

- may be rescinded? - Let me see that.

- If it's canceled, will the station go ahead anyway?

No, it can't.

Where's Gladys?

- She went out with Miss Grant. - Why?

It isn't right, you know.

Miss Grant may be nice, but she's a jailer.

And Gladys is a grown woman whether you like it or not.

- Girls get married at her age. - And live to regret it.

I know what I'm doing, George.

I should go.

Were you expecting that?

No.

But it doesn't surprise me.

What are you trying to tell me?

- There's no need to talk as if I were your chauffeur.

- When I've finished, you'll wish you were my chauffeur.

You summoned me here.

- You came because if you had not,

I would have turned up at your place of business

and shouted the truth to anyone who'd listen,

that the aldermen are liars

and you have reneged on your deal.

- I've come to your office at your request

to show goodwill, Mr. Russell.

I will not stay and be insulted.

But I agree.

It is time you knew public opinion has moved away

from your position.

In other words,

you all bought shares on margin,

passed the law, and made a fat profit.

Now I imagine you've sold them short.

And you mean to cancel your own law,

betting that the value will plummet.

Then you'll buy them again when they hit rock bottom

and in the process double or triple your ill-gotten gains.

That is pure speculation.

I don't even know if we will cancel the law.

But the idea of having a new rail station

in the city

isn't as popular as we'd hoped it might be.

I see.

So you're really only concerned with the common good.

- The aldermen are public servants.

We must serve the public.

I didn't see this coming.

I admit it.

I thought you were honorable men.

Not too honorable to miss the chance

of a fat buck, of course,

but not greedy, dirty thieves.

Mr. Russell.

- I thought I was the one who might throw a curveball.

And now look.

You've caught me out.

Good day to you, Mr. Russell.

Good day to you, Mr. Morris.

It only remains to say

that I hope you can see, as I can,

the vast possibilities for building

one of the grandest humanitarian institutions

the world has ever seen

for the relief of people everywhere.

Miss Barton,

if President Hayes declined to support the establishment

of an American Red Cross

and President Garfield never managed to sign either,

what makes you think you can find support now?

I'm afraid unfortunate events

have altered things in Washington.

- And President Arthur may be more enthusiastic?

- I have reason to believe so, yes.

This has been an introduction only.

Who's that man?

- And I thank you for your courtesy.

If you would like to know more, then please keep in touch.

Our thanks to Miss Barton,

our very own angel of the battlefield.

She has already achieved a great deal.

And now at the head of the American Red Cross,

she is destined to do a great deal more.

Might I present myself?

You are Miss Brook, I think. Miss Ada Brook?

- I am. And this is my niece, Miss Marian Brook.

I am Cornelius Eckhard III.

I thought it was you.

- I'm afraid it's been too many years for me to call you Ada?

But this is too touching.

Oh, not really.

We knew each other when we were young

in Pennsylvania.

- Before life drove us to the four corners of the Earth.

- Have you been in New York for long?

- No, I settled in Connecticut. - Oh.

- But now I have nothing to hold me there.

So I came to the city.

- What brings you to this gathering?

An interest in the Red Cross?

- Not entirely. - Mrs. Morris is my niece.

And when she said you'd be here,

I was tempted to see if we might revive an old friendship.

Not very old, surely.

How is your sister?

What... what is she called now?

- She married Mr. Van Rhijn almost 40 years ago.

Ah.

Please give her my regards.

- He must call on us and give them himself,

mustn't he, Aunt Ada?

Ladies.

- Can we persuade you to the cause?

- I am persuaded, but, once again,

if it's money Miss Barton needs,

why don't we ask Mrs. Russell?

Don't speak that name.

- Perhaps not when Mrs. Astor's in the room.

Mr. Morris tells me

Mr. Russell has insulted him disgracefully.