Mr Selfridge

It's Miss Bunting. She's in a bad way.

If you could just see it fit to give her a reference...

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

Serious acting.

I gave you my childbearing years.

You understand that, don't you, Roger?

I'd be lost without you.

Come with me to Paris. No.

I want everything perfect for this evening, Fraser. Of course, sir.

And all the staff understands that? They do indeed, Mr Selfridge.

Mr Woolworth is an American gentleman, I believe... Yes.

And I told you he likes his mutton very well done. You did indeed, sir.

And I don't want any fuss. Everything natural. Of course, sir.

Everything natural.

Hello.

Hello, dear Rose. Jennie, welcome.

So glad you could come.

You look so well. Rosalie.

How are you? Frank. Rose.

So nice to see you. Welcome. Thank you. Come in.

Rosalie. Hello.

Frank.

Nice place you've got here, Harry.

Rented? I could have bought it, of course, but - Sure you could.

I didn't wanna tie up all my capital in real estate.

You don't have to explain to me, Harry, you're a big boy now.

Bed.

Well, my heart was in my mouth, as you can imagine.

My first soiree! But Lady Mae was wonderful.

She introduced me to so many people I lost count.

Our Edna's getting married to a New York City stockbroker.

One of the wealthiest and most influential fellas - Oh, Frank.

Stop it.

Nothing wrong with a little bragging.

Harry and I both came up the hard way.

Children are our legacy.

Here's to them.

You seem to have settled in just fine, Rose.

We have, although I miss family and friends.

Well... we may be here a great deal more.

Really?

FW's store did so well in Liverpool,

he's planning to open them all over England.

But, er, you don't want him to?

FW doesn't stop. I don't think he knows how to.

Harry has the same problem.

I hope not.

Jennie, are you quite well?

You know...

..I think I liked it better when we were just starting up.

It was hard, but we were together and happy.

So when does the Brixton store open up?

A couple of weeks.

And then? I'm taking one step at a time. Mm.

I heard you were thinking about central London.

Oxford Street to be exact. Is that true?

Wouldn't it be kind of neighbourly?

Two old Yankees, cosying up together?

Could be kind of painful - your prices undercutting mine.

Our stores don't attract the same customers.

Yours is for the wealthy, mine is for the thrifty.

Selfridges is for anyone and everyone.

Anybody who can afford your stiff prices.

When you and I were growing up,

we couldn't even go into a place like Selfridges,

let alone buy anything there.

Face it, Harry, you cater to the carriage trade, these days.

I'm still a five and dime guy.

I reckon the West End's big enough to hold us both.

What do you say, Harry?

Good night.

Thanks again.

Good morning. Good morning.

Good morning, Miss Ravillious.

Look to it, Miss Towler. Mr Selfridge is on the floor.

Good morning, ladies. Morning, Mr Selfridge. Morning, Mr Selfridge.

I have a challenge for you.

What can I buy with this?

Well, er, well, nothing, Mr Selfridge.

If it were a sixpence, we have some rather pleasant handkerchiefs.

I don't have a sixpence, I have a thrupenny bit.

Well...

Miss Ravillious, Miss Towler, what can you offer me?

A thrupenny bit wouldn't buy you half a button

on any of our fashion pieces, Mr Selfridge.

Does anyone have anything that they can sell me for this?

Yes?

You can buy a bag of bull's-eyes for a penny in confectionery, Mr Selfridge.

Freddie Squires. He's the eldest son of Lord Squires.

They have a large estate in Northumberland.

It's too far and cold.

We should stick to the Home Counties.

Well, there's Robin Brackenbury.

He's a Viscount.

He's terribly stupid, but that can be a benefit.

I'm sorry, what are you talking about?

The next step.

A suitable young man.

When Rosalie eventually marries,

she will marry for love, not for money, or a title.

How lucky she is.

Most mothers use their children to make their mark on the world.

It's what I would have done.

Do you know, Rosalie is very fortunate

that you've taken such an interest in her.

But you now feel that that interest should come to an end?

No, not at all. No, maybe you're right.

Why not introduce her to some eligible young men?

There can't be any harm to it.

You are coming to my soiree, tomorrow evening? I am.

Well, then, do bring the dear girl along.

The decision as to who will become Senior Assistant will be made this week.

I will interview you both over the next two days.

Thank you, Mr Grove. Thank you, Mr Grove.

How often does Mrs Crabb shop here?

Mrs Crabb keeps a tight rein on the household economy, Mr Selfridge.

No luxury items.

She generally confines her purchases to household goods.

Mmm. But we have household goods here.

Erm...

We don't price them keenly enough. Is that what you're saying?

She is a very thrifty woman, Mr Selfridge.

But she will be shopping here.

She did mention paying a visit, yes.

So the old man's stealing a march on me.

We'll see about that.

I would like to try discounting certain items all around the store, just as an experiment.

But it is that the image we want to project?

Selfridges is for anyone and everyone.

Umbrellas, Miss Mardle. Umbrellas, Mr Selfridge?

Yes, it's raining cats and dogs outside.

Drop the prices 50%. 50%, Mr Selfridge?

Why not? It's not just about pushing products,

it's about encouraging people through the doors.

Perhaps, if this goes well, we could make a big event of it?

Hold a mid-season sale, not just at New Year?

Miss Mardle, I love it. That's a great idea.

If we do it, it must look beautiful.

Simple items, displayed well. Windows. Of course.

Sort through your stock and figure out which items to discount.

Good luck to you all.

Mr Selfridge, I have to talk with you on a rather delicate matter.

Miss Bunting, late of fashion - I know who Miss Bunting is.

It seems she has fallen on rather hard times.

If we could only write her a reference of some sort -

I don't write references for people who are dishonest.

There you have it. I'm sorry.

We've got trouble.

Put them somewhere discreet.

Very good to see you at the Palm Court again, Miss Love.

Thank you, Mr Colleano.

If you come this way, I'll get you seated.

I'd like my old table, in the middle.

This is where Mr Selfridge usually sits.

Well, he's not there now, is he?

But he will be soon, Miss.

It's his morning rounds.

Well, you can move me when he arrives, can't you?

How did it go? Oh, he's a pet.

He was ever so nice to me.

I thought he was gonna offer me the job there and then.

Best of luck.

Miss Millar...

..in you come.

So, what do you think you would bring to the role of Senior Assistant?

Well, I'm good with customers.

They like me.

And so do other staff. That's important, isn't it?

It is indeed.

Where do you see your career going?

Going?

Would you like to become Head of Department, for example?

I used to think I would, but I don't know any more.

I don't want to end up like Miss Bunting -

no husband, no children, no-one to look after her.

Miss Bunting's situation is quite unusual. I want family.

Is that so very wrong?

No. No, it isn't.

I've just talked myself out of a job, haven't I?

Not necessarily.

I do appreciate your honesty.

Now, I have to be honest with you.

I'm afraid Mr Selfridge has refused to give Miss Bunting a reference.

I did try.

I'm sure you did your best.

Thank you, Miss Millar.

Thank you, Tony. What a treat.

We need to discuss the menus for the duration of the sale, Mr Perez.

I hadn't envisaged them changing, Mr Selfridge. Well, I have.

There'll be people with less money in their pocket. What can we offer?

The Palm Court is already busy, without accommodating...

..well, less salubrious customers.

We need special offers in every department.

If Woolworths do it, so can we.

We could think about a new set menu, Mr Perez.

The menu is not your concern, Mr Colleano.

I want to make food accessible

to everyone who walks through those doors.

Now, is my table ready? Harry.

Why, Mr Selfridge.