The Doll Factory

Dead or alive?

Dead.

Shoulders back,

sit straight. Good day.

Are you looking for something in particular?

We're not so much a business as a family here.

It's all done on the premises?

Every stitch.

Twins, how sweet.

A mourning doll.

Parents send us an image of their lost child

to recreate upon the face of a doll.

It's understandable and indeed natural

that one should want to commemorate a dear,

passed spirit.

After all, as it says in Corinthians,

'We are confident and willing rather

to be absent from the body

and to be present with the Lord'.

The child's soul is gone

but this doll is a symbol of the earthly vessel she left behind.

We make them for toys as well of course.

A porcelain likeness,

dead or alive.

Dead or alive.

Whatever's your preference.

Is there something you find interesting?

I like to give opportunity

to such disadvantaged girls. My pleasure.

Well, that's cost you a day's wages.

You shouldn't have said anything.

Well, I hate it when they stare at you.

You just make it worse.

They're covered in moths, Mrs Salter would go mad

if she saw them like this.

My sister's sick, I was up all night with her.

Well, you should've checked Albie.

You can let one moth go Miss Iris.

Ok.

You don't want that one, this one's for you.

You be more careful with the threads next time,

remember you're dealing with a devil, not a woman.

Really?

It's just a joke.

What happened to your hand?

Are you alright?

I'm fine, here, take it, take it, it's not a trick.

It's for your sister.

Thanks.

Woah!

Albie?

I've got something nice and fresh for you today.

The foreleg of a Megalosaurus?

Severed mermaid's head perhaps?

A bit chilly for a mermaid

in Regent Canal this time of year.

but the other thing, mega--

he told me he'll leave you a knee when he snuffs it.

Kind of him.

Two bob.

Thought you'd like that a bob for each head.

Oh Albie.

A shilling?

Mm mm and you can visit my workshop.

It's funny to me that the smell of formaldehyde is worse

to you than the rotting shit you carry around every day.

It's not natural.

It's natural be a dead thing.

You're gonna make an artist of me little pups.

Those cunts on the committee can't say no to you,

hey, no they can't.

All right Louis?

Don't worry about mortally wounding me little man!

Jesus.

Here we are.

Honestly.

Cadaver!

Cadaver! Open up!

We're here for Louis's bird.

He must be away.

Away where?

I don't think he's there boys.

Neither do I,

shall we go for an ale?

Took the words right out my mouth.

I like that idea.

You'll have to shit twice as much as that

to catch me Moll.

Hey, your sister's got company!

You'll pay now my lovely,

I'm not having you leg it when it's all over.

Show me that diamond. How much more to go?

A full set costs three pounds.

How much you got?

I'm no fool sir,

if you don't hand me my money I'm not handing you my cunny.

I can't find the daguerreotype

for Rosanne Vickers, have you seen it?

No. Um--

Ow.

Serves you right for creeping around.

Oh, it needs honey and a dressing.

Mrs Salter?

What is it?

What's wrong Mrs Salter? Do you want your laudanum?

Iris?

A baby.

Iris?

What? She likes it.

Oh I found it.

Dead or alive?

Dead, too easy.

I forget they're real children sometimes.

Ow!

You should be more careful

then you wouldn't get burnt.

For you sir? And for you madam!

Oh, thank you.

Have a good day.

Can you get 10 apples

but don't pick any of the bruised ones.

Why don't you do it?

For you sir!

Come and see the model of the Great Exhibition,

here for one week only. And for you sir!

Shall we go and see the model for the Great Exhibition?

It is quite something.

Really?

Definitely worth a look and a half.

See, Rose, we should go.

- Iris. - What?

Don't worry lovie,

I'm not contagious.

You shouldn't talk to girls like that.

Like what?

You know just as well as me

she's a prostitute.

Ask if we can have some of the blackberries.

And some blackberries please.

Yes madame.

Thank you very much.

There you go.

Thank you.

Sorry, excuse me, sorry.

there'll be multiple sections,

many marvels, machinery, raw materials, fine art.

Sorry, excuse me.

Spearheaded by Prince Albert himself,

the Great Exhibition will make clear to all the world

Britain's role as an industrial leader.

There will be multiple sections, many marvels,

a certain number of exhibits will be selected

by committee via open submissions.

If you are the inventor of a machine,

the creator of an innovative or unusual product

then consider this your call to arms gentlemen.

Flick?

Sorry, excuse me.

Sorry, excuse me.

Albie, Albie. Hand it over.

Playing the thief today

Albie, is it?

I wouldn't think you'd need to after all the money I gave you.

It was only a bob.

I employ Albie for little jobs here and there.

Perhaps one day, as my apprentice.

Silas Reed.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

I find Mr Silas dead things

for him to stuff and sell in his shop.

- Albie! - It's true.

My collection will be famous one day.

Well, I look forward to seeing it one day.

Perhaps you should submit to the Great Exhibition.

Yes

yes exactly, that's what I plan to do, that's why I'm here.

Are you hungry? Would you like one?

They're good today.

Oh, I'm sorry, would you like one?

Me? No, thank you but that's very kind of you Miss--?

Err--

Whittle.

Miss Iris is a painter.

Hardly, I paint the faces on the dolls at Mrs Salter's.

Are you here with someone?

Apologies, sorry, I, sorry,

excuse me. Excuse me.

There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you.

You ran away from me.

No, I didn't.

I saw you.

I didn't.

You know how hard it is in places like this, for me.

Rose I'm sorry I didn't-

Are you coming?

Rose wait, oh--

Hot brandy is it?

It's been a while since I saw you in here.

you've been walking around Soho all day

with your eyes firmly on the floor