Dickensian

When was this decision reached?

Mr. Jaggers, we simply have two additional attendees at our meeting.

A meeting of the utmost importance.

All the shareholders in one room. We can't afford to take risks.

Your brother's recent behaviour, for example.

He is very sorry.

I feel this could be a fresh start for both of us.

Arthur, as a shareholder himself, has every right to be there.

And this Mr. Compeyson?

What's his interest?

He may invest.

Besides, Mr. Compeyson has become a good friend to Arthur.

I thought his presence would be a calming influence.

It was your suggestion?

Of course.

Mr. Jaggers, I don't understand your objection.

I'm merely questioning...

I'm urging you not to consign your trust too quickly. That's all.

I came to see you ahead of this meeting as a matter of courtesy,

not to seek your counsel.

Comb your hair, at least.

Today the tide turns, Havisham.

I can't wait to see how the shareholders take

to a woman at the helm.

Thank you for your company, Sir Leicester.

A very pleasant start to the day's work.

Not at all.

Soon,

you might be free to spend your days

as you wish.

Hello, Peter.

Nell!

Happy birthday.

You remembered.

Course.

Can I call on you this evening?

Hello, Mrs Gamp. At long last!

Very agreeable, dearie, I'm sure,

but I have to confess that not even the promise of a servant

could tempt me to the Midlands.

I was not of the notion that you'd ever even visited Staffordshire.

For the reasoning that it is rampant with cracksmen, oysters and dippers.

Well, rather a few petty criminals than a murderer on the loose.

Mr. Gradgrind was practically begging, wasn't he?

Such desperation from a man of his standing.

We are still waiting for an official offer to be made.

Strictly a formality.

Oh, well. I must be on my way.

Provisions for Mr. Wegg.

Lord alone knows what he'd do without me.

He's a very needy gentleman.

And, truth, it's a strain to

parry his advances.

Yet, so adept at disguising his affections.

Documents, clothing, weapons,

anything that could link Fagin to Marley.

I want Croucher's warehouse scoured from floor to rafters.

We must make ourselves indispensable.

Leave all the talking to me.

Well, how am I to become indispensable

if I'm to sit the entire meeting out in complete silence?

At the moment, you can barely maintain personal hygiene, I doubt

you've the strength of mind to win back your share of the estate.

Cat got your tongue, has it?

Hello, sir. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

I am Mrs Compeyson.

Well, congratulations.

You made it into the society pages.

A night of decadence at the Havisham ball.

I've been struggling to make ends meet

and you've been living the high life?

Let's take this somewhere a little more private and I'll explain.

- Oh, look! He's ashamed. Bless him. - Sally, please!

No, you try getting kicked out of our home by the landlord,

neighbours all gawping.

My dear fellow, please go on to our meeting

and offer my sincere apologies to Mr. Havisham.

Think of something!

I'll be there as soon as I can.

Don't bother with excuses.

You tell your Mr. Havisham that Meriwether Compeyson

is nothing but a lying little weasel.

One.

Two.

Three.

Stop him!

Inspector.

An unexpected honour.

So, this is your racket, Fagin?

Oh, a little uncouth, Inspector.

These poor wretches have been sent to us

with the blessings of their family

or workhouse to be put to good use

in mines overseas.

I see it more as a charity than a business.

Fine charity that sees children shivering in a filthy warehouse.

Better than shivering in the gutter, I'm sure you'll agree.

I'm not an ogre, Inspector.

Allow me to be the judge of that.

A man of your good sense must surely know you have no cause to arrest me.

Don't worry.

You're not in trouble.

You've been here long?

Days? Weeks?

Weeks.

How would you like it if I took you for a nice currant bun?

- A friend? - His oldest and dearest.

Completely without warning.

How awful.

He's gone to pay his respects to the family but hopes to join us shortly.

Oh, no, there are far more important things than this meeting.

Are you still attending?

Arthur, please don't burden yourself with obligation.

I won't embarrass you, Amelia.

Is there a problem?

Mr. Compeyson is running slightly late.

- Perhaps we could wait a few... - No, no. We can't delay any longer.

It's for one evening only.

Tomorrow, I will settle with the bailiffs and you'll be back at home.

Now, I have business to attend to.

No. Weeks gone by and no word?

- Is that all I deserve? - We can talk on my return.

We talk NOW.

I shan't think twice about following you there,

telling your business associates the truth

about who they're dealing with.

Lock me in, I'll climb out the window.

Apologies, gentlemen, for the delay

and a very warm welcome.

May I begin by offering my sincere thanks to all of you

for helping to build the Havisham Brewery into the empire

we so proudly represent today.

Hear, hear!

Of course, a great empire requires great leadership.

And I think we will agree there was none greater than my dear father.

Hear, hear!

But

this is a new era

and, today, I would like to propose some changes.

Do you think I enjoy being away for weeks on end?

Everything I do is for us, to keep a roof over our heads.

That's a fine job you're doing. We don't even HAVE a roof any more.

For heaven's sake, let me go, so I can put this right.

What are you up to?

The details are irrelevant.

All you need to know is we stand to make a fortune.

Go, then,

before I change my mind.

Initial outlay aside, to move the malt house onto the brewery site

would remove transport costs.

Miss Havisham,

the malt house poses a significant fire hazard.

I commend your prudence,

but it would be of little concern

if the entire brewery was razed to the ground.

Thank you, Mr. Norton.