Original subtitles

Are we ready, ladies?

Let's create the best-dressed women in Sydney.

May I present you with your new domain, Mrs Ambrose?

Is harsh lighting an Australian thing?

We have no secrets here in Model Gowns.

To...

...Magda, Stefan and the bridging loan

that allowed me to buy Smiths Transport.

The boutique is my dream.

I have worked for this moment for years.

The money will be back before I sign the lease.

That, I can't do. The bank refused my loan.

Richard White is not going to print an article

written by a first-year girl in uni.

I want to make a name for myself.

Did you read my articles? The ones I left on your desk?

Uh, remind me?

This assistant is accusing me of shoplifting.

Miss Mansour, my office is on the eighth floor.

If you would be kind enough to wait for me there,

I would like to apologise more fully.

Uh, Miss Mansour, sorry to keep you waiting.

Do you still have time for a chat? Sure.

I don't want to leave you here like this.

How about you mind your own business?

OK, easy, easy. Oh!

This is George.

My son.

♪ Cos'e la vita senza l'amore?

♪ E solo un albero che foglie non ha piu

♪ E s'alaza il vento, un vento freddo

♪ Come le foglie, le speranze butta giu

♪ Ma questa vita cos'e se manchi tu?

♪ Mi son bruciata al fuoco del tuo grande amore

♪ Che s'e spento gia

♪ Ma che freddo fa

♪ Tu ragazzo m'hai delusa

♪ Hai rubato dal mio viso

♪ Quel sorriso che non tornera... ♪

Here she is.

Your latest gown made it in the social pages.

Oh.

The Genevieve. Mm-mm.

Let's pin it on the wall. Can't. There's no space left.

We'll make space.

Thanks, Baba.

You look... Amazing?

...weird. I'm going to work.

I've got a full-time job at Goodes, starting today.

Mr Ryder offered her the job personally.

You already have a job, Here...

Money for the tram and a little something for lunch.

Baba and I have agreed. I'll be the woman on the inside.

Why? You already took their look book.

I'll get to see them when they arrive in-store.

The fabrics, the cut, how each dress is constructed.

It will help us.

If you're working there, then who's doing your jobs here?

Baba and me? No, we've got enough to do.

Goodes jobs are hard to get.

Usually such jobs,

they go to women that don't look like you.

That's why you're so...

You pretended to be Anglo!

I told them, I'm a Mansour.

Yeah, but they think you're one of THE Mansours.

The Christians with the Country Stores.

Bye, Baba.

Careful there.

I'm fine.

Water. Lots of it.

Try raw egg as well, if you can stomach it.

That'll steady you after last night.

You really let loose!

Yeah. It was...

Yes, it was.

I didn't think you had it in you.

Oh, easy there, kiddo.

I've got to get off to the regiment. Oh. You're right.

I've got work.

I can lend you a shirt.

How does a left-wing firebrand end up in cadets?

Army brat.

His dad's condition for paying for college.

Look, Lisa, what happened last night

doesn't make things different between us.

Of course.

OK.

You can stay as long as you need.

I've just got to push off.

Oh, no, sorry, I can't be late.

I'd lose my job at Goodes. Yeah.

I take sugar.

Your father knows where it is.

We met in Budapest before the war. I don't want to know.

Please. It's important.

So she gets an explanation, but I don't.

In my house, you refer to my wife as Magda or Mrs Szombathelyi.

Claro que si, Papi.

When it was clear that the Nazis would take over,

she returned home to Cuba with George.

She has a name, too.

Teresa, also Mrs Szombathelyi.

If you prefer.

I was supposed to join them. But...

You'd already met another woman?

No. The war.

And after...

...Teresa told me to stay away.

She had remarried, started a new life without me.

You were happy.

You're a liar.

I don't lie.

Then why were you sleeping on the couch before I got here?

Magda... You know what?

I want you out of here before I get home from work.

You and your son.

Please... Magda!

Come on, Mum. Where are you?

♪ Take this pink ribbon off my eyes

♪ I'm exposed and it's no big surprise

♪ 'Cause I'm just a girl Oh, little old me

♪ Well, don't let me out of your sight

♪ Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite

♪ So don't let me have any rights

♪ Oh, I've had it up to here

♪ The moment that I step outside

♪ So many reasons for me to run and hide

♪ I can't do the little things I love so dear

♪ 'Cause it's all those little things that I fear

♪ Oh, I'm just a girl, lucky me

♪ Twiddle-dum, there's no comparison

♪ Oh, I've had it up to

♪ Oh, I've had it up to here. ♪

Good morning. Your first day?

Yes, madam.

Angela Mansour, assistant for Ladies' Cocktail.

Mm.

Oh, I just thought that the pink makes the emerald pop.

Indeed it does.

Welcome to Goodes, Miss Mansour.

I'm very pleased to be here, madam.

Mrs Szombathelyi, but call me Magda. Everybody else does.

I know you intend to be kind, Mrs Szombathelyi,

but if staff use Christian names between ourselves,

we risk a humiliating slip in front of our customers.

We're all ladies in black. No?

Mrs Ambrose here, still acquainting herself with our ways.

She was our newest staff member until you, Miss Mansour.

During your absence, Mrs Szombathelyi, we had to adjust.

We found it best to eliminate exceptions.

I was told to report to Mrs Janosi.

It was nice to meet you... both.

Miss Miles.

I'm sorry I'm late, Mrs Ambrose.

You should use your staff discount on an extra blouse.

You wore those clothes yesterday

and they smell of cigarette smoke.

Anyone would think you spent the night in them.

Two minutes.

SHE'S working here.

Miss Mansour is joining us.

Today is her first day.

Mr Ryder hired her.

In Ladies' Cocktail?

With me.

Mm-hm.

Alright, ladies.

Let's create the best-dressed women in Sydney.

I think we should start again.

I'm Angela.

Oh, your hair smells like an ashtray.

Excuse me. Sorry.

Mum!

Thank goodness you're alright.

I'm sorry, Mum. I tried to call earlier.

You didn't answer. Why didn't you come home last night?

I'm fine. I'm OK. Where were you, Lisa?

Miss Miles, perhaps you might leave the floor

for a few minutes to converse with your mother in private.

I'm so sorry. Not at all, Mrs Miles.

You have nothing for which to apologise.

Thank you. Come on, Mum.

I'm so sorry.

Now that I know that you're alright...

Excuse me, Miss Miles... I need to tell you something.

Yes? It was my fault.

I don't usually drink,

but Lisa introduced me to some of her friends,

and they are university people.

I didn't want to stick out.

And the beer got to my head.

Well, you've got to be careful, don't you?

That's exactly what Lisa said.

I should have listened,

and she was kind enough to walk me home

and stayed to make sure that I was OK.

Unfortunately, I don't have a phone.

That's why Lisa couldn't ring.

Well, you're both alright, and that's the most important thing.

I'm very thankful for your daughter's kindness.

Oh, darling.

You good girl.

Such a good girl.

Well. Thank you.

Alright, you - back to work.

Magda.

I wanted your advice.

One second. Excuse me. May I help you?

We were told Model Gowns.

Oh, perhaps if I knew what you're seeking.

It's for my brother's wedding.

Her father wants her to look like this.

A white dress? It's your brother's wedding.

And, you know, I do not think we have this dress in stock.

Perhaps something to enhance your lovely shoulders.

Miss Miles, come.

Can you take this young lady to our youth range?

That won't be necessary, Mrs Szombathelyi.

We have a Leboucher in stock. Very similar.

And, Mrs Ambrose, I really think a more structured silhouette.

When is your brother's wedding? January.

Plenty of time.

I'll have Mrs Szombathelyi fetch the Leboucher for us.

Oh, you're going to need heels.

I'd say three inches.

Then practise, practise, practise.

With the Leboucher,

we will, of course, require a coiffure

that can tame this hair,

and perhaps a stylist with some expertise in make-up.

I thought you might try on both.

Oh! Extraordinary.

Picture perfect.

Now, would that be COD

or would you like to set up an account?

Is this yours?

Found it in the street.

Not mine. Try it on.

Wow, yeah, it's a great fit.

You know, I like the way that shape accentuates your cheekbones.

It's a 'Chervo Gran Marco' from Italy.

What, you don't think a bloke from the loading dock

can recognise Italian felt, genuine quality?

I'll give you £5 for it. A fiver?!

10. No.

Why not? Because...

...it's a cheap hat and it ain't worth two bob.

You're a born salesman.

Yes, I am, please tell that to Mr McKenzie.

Why would McKenzie listen to me?

Because I wondered if, you know, McKenzie hired...

I'm sure you're really talented at your job.

Oh, tell me you're not trying to make your way into sales

by letting McKenzie appreciate you.

Well, I don't want to stay in the loading dock forever.

He'll appreciate you, alright.

In the stockroom, in the eighth-floor stairwell.

He won't give you a job dealing with customers.

But I'd be really good at it.

But he's an Englishman, and there's an Arab saying.

To trust an Englishman is to trust water in a sieve.

Us blackfellas say something pretty similar.

Mrs Janosi, you made it on your lunch break?

I need the pill. Hmm.

Well, uh, good day to you, too.

Are you thinking of sitting?

It's a bad time to have a baby.

In my experience, first year of marriage

is the best time to have a baby.

There are financial pressures.

No-one can actually afford children.

They're a terrible waste of money.

But couples who wait till they are comfortable

end up childless.

I can't afford to give up work.

You're 28 years old, Mrs Janosi.

How much longer do you think you have?

Sorry, we're out of size SW.

There are size SWs under the cabinet.

Oh.

Um...

Uh...

I don't... I don't know how.

She gave you £10.

Yeah, that means...

Thank you for shopping at Goodes.

Thank you.

Sorry about that.

Thank you for shopping at Goodes. Have a lovely day.

All the years in Country Stores and you never had to use a till?

I did learn to count, even with a hangover.

I didn't ask you to lie to my mother.

I was trying to help you.

Now I have to keep lying.

Oh.

Were you going to tell her you were out all night with a boy?

You seemed happy enough when he was buying you drinks.

He's a creep.

He practically blackmailed me so I'd meet him for a drink.

I don't understand how any self-respecting girl

lets him within 10 feet of her.

Welcome to Goodes.

I'm after something rare and expensive

to display how much my husband appreciates being married to me.

Sorry?

I can't trust him to choose my anniversary gift.

He prefers the plebeian in everything, but wives.

He'll want my friends to praise him for his exquisite taste.

I'm thinking turban.

You! You might know what I'm after. Do you, dear?

We have quite fancy turban headpieces.

Like Elizabeth Taylor with the fringes?

I want something exquisite. Come with me.

You!

Oh.

Uh, what seems to be the problem?

There is no 'seems' about it. I was lied to.

Mrs Charlotte Egan has my dress.

Um... Well?

I see... It was meant to be one of a kind.

I paid a pretty price. Oh, it is.

It's... It's beautiful.

Well. There are two of them, so THEY are beautiful.

Mrs Lynch, is there a problem with the Genevieve?

Either you or I have been swindled.

Genevieve has a twin.

Mrs Lynch, I assure you, your gown is the only original

in all of Sydney.

And yet, another woman is in the social pages wearing my dress.

Trust me, Mrs Lynch, we will get to the bottom of this.

This is an imitation. That is of no consequence!

Exactly. I do not care.

Come, Mrs Lynch, we will take this up with management.

And, of course, you will convince him that it's his own selection.

And you're sure he'll ask for help? Quite sure.

He'll be shopping under my account.

Marlowe. Mrs Kenneth Marlowe of Bellevue Hill.

I can see your feet.

Come on.

Come out!

I'm thinking.

Out of all the department store joints in all the world,

he had to walk into mine.

Habibti, you walked into mine.

Is this Farouk's idea?

Frank? No.

Oh, it was you!

An opportunity presented itself.

You can't work here. And yet I do.

Angela. Elias.

Your family make knock-off Goodes designs.

I'd have to tell the bosses.

That wouldn't be smart.

Well, you might know my secret, but I know yours.

The entire Lebanese community thinks

that you are a respectable pen pusher.

But you are a Goodes window dresser.

I'm the senior manager of visual merchandising.

That's my career. What you're doing is theft.

That's not why I'm here.

Truly, it's not.

I want a career... in fashion.

Have you not met your family? The dressmakers?

I can't get stuck working for Frank.

Not once he and Nadia are married, it will be intolerable.

Imagine, with Mum in Beirut, Nadia will be in charge.

Living in my house, bossing me around,

telling me what I can and can't do.

You know what she's like.

You've got to promise - no more knock-offs.

Absolutely! Done!

And you won't tell a soul that I work here.

If you'd like to see my secretary

to organise compensation for you. Good day.

Be seated.

Imitation may be a form of flattery,

but it is a threat to our very existence.

'Only at Goodes' is not just our motto,

it is our heartbeat.

I totally agree, sir.

And if I may, a model gown

from Goodes should seem timeless, ageless and exclusive.

It should not appeal to imitators.

You're too right, Mrs Ambrose.

So called younger modern styles invite knockoffs like this.

So we must all be vigilant.

I need everyone in the department watching for potential spies.

Yes, Mr Ryder.

About the department, sir.

Four seems an extravagant number for Ladies' Cocktail.

More than is traditional.

Mr Ryder, Angela has just joined us, and Lisa must return to university.

Fay, well, she's keen to start a family.

And Mrs Szombathelyi's continued undermining of my authority

is an impediment to the improvements I have promised you.

I can't do it anymore. We can't do copies.

Goodes knows. What are you on about?

The look book. Give it to me. I'm taking it back.

It's gold. We spent years building up our customer base.

I know, Farouk.

The quality of our garments is the best in Sydney.

And now we'll have Goodes dresses here on our racks

before their own catalogue even goes public.

It'll be our most profitable year ever.

Goodes knows we make copies. We have to stop.

You told them? Of course not.

What's wrong with you? Calm.

From the beginning.

The woman who bought the real Genevieve gown came in today.

Then quit.

If they are onto you, you never go back and we keep the look book.

No.

No, I have to keep working there.

It would be suspicious otherwise.

And Mr Ryder knows I was on the executive floor,

so he'll put it together sooner not later if I don't return it.

And then they'll come for me.

Us.

Farouk.

The look book.

Nadia, could you bring me the look book?

Farouk promised Mama the latest fashions for the wedding.

Ever since you and Farouk got engaged,

you've been making my life a misery.

This job.

Who you work for.

They're not family.

I know.

This is very kind of you.

It's OK.

They asked me to do it, for Lisa's sake.

Are these papers sufficient?

Lisa.

Your father borrowed money -

quite a bit of money.

It seems he bet on the horses.

There are loan sharks wanting money paid back.

They are not...

...nice people.

We're struggling to cover the mortgage.

I'll negotiate a payment plan with them.

Each week, I will deliver your money to them.

You must not, under any circumstances,

allow them to come to your home.

OK?

The bank manager suggested we get a boarder.

You mean him?

My son George.

No, no, no, no, no. I'm sorry. That's not happening.

I'm not staying here in the middle of butt-fuck nowhere

so you can support a couple more women.

George, please!

I haven't seen you since I was four.

And you just want to pawn me off to some strangers?

George, that's enough. What is wrong with you?

I... I am so sorry.

We're still getting to know one another.

Magda's never told me anything about a son.

It's a long story.

I may have to use your phone.

My apologies again.

It's OK. It's not OK.

So you went in and then he just...

...gave it to you? A perfectly-healthy woman?

Rudi, we're in debt up to our eyeballs.

Yeah, I will pay back Magda and Stefan.

Yeah, but the house, the car.

You love this house. Yes, and I love you.

But we can't afford to start a family right now...

...so I am taking the pill, Rudi.

Rudi.

That'll be Stefan.

And his son.

Hello. Hello.

My friend.

Hi, I'm George.

Fay. Nice to meet you.

George. Rudi. Welcome. Thank you.

Um, I've tidied up the spare room, so it's all yours.

Oh, it will only be for a day or two.

That's alright. George can stay as long as he needs.

I have another favour to ask you.

George needs work, Rudi. Yes, of course, Stefan, my friend.

Of course.

Um, George, do you know anything about transport business?

I'm a musician, so...

Well, you can answer the phones.

Rudi's been planning on getting a secretary,

so you can talk to Raylene and Darlene.

Great.

I always dreamed about being a teacher.

But that would have meant doing the leaving certificate,

and there was no way that my father was going to waste an education

on a girl.

I'd prefer to leave uni and be a shop girl.

What? No, I forbid it.

After everything you went through to get there -

the scholarship and your father.

What, and now you just want to throw it all away?

Dad was a gambler, Mum.

He left us, deep in debt to loan sharks.

Were you out with that girl last night, drinking with boys?

Sorry, what?

I know that we have never spoken about...

...what men might try to do, to get you to...

...fall from grace. No.

No, it was nothing like that.

Well, she seems like a very nice girl.

But it's the nice girls that get caught.

Do you understand what I'm saying, Lisa?

Yeah.

Good morning, Miss Mansour.

Where are you going?

I'm just going to say good morning to Mr Ryder.

Oh, that is not advisable.

Mr Ryder does not look kindly on sales staff visiting

the executive floor.

And today he's in a particularly-unpleasant mood.

Come. We have coffee together.

Thank you.

Here you go.

Yes, darling.

Your hair smells much better today.

Well, I'm trying here.

Don't. Fine.

I've got to go see Mr Ryder anyway, so I'll go now while it's quiet, OK?

Hm. Knock yourself out.

Two of you?

Look, I know there was a misunderstanding between you

at the start, but you've both got to put that behind you.

We all have to work together, so just try and get along.

OK.

Hello, Fay.

It's Mrs Janosi now.

This is the one your wife wanted.

You look amazing.

Your anniversary present to her after 15 years together.

Married life obviously suits you.

You told me you were single.

Enid and I live very separate lives.

At the same Bellevue Hill address.

You didn't go to Perth after all.

Not a single day has passed

where I haven't bitterly regretted letting you go.

Yes.

Well, that ship has sailed.

I'm married now. Happily married.

Don't you think it's a sign...

...us being brought together again like this?

Your wife shops at Goodes.

That isn't a sign.

Come on.

You're a little bit happy to see me.

Am I?

Hey...

What are you doing?

Um...

I'm just trying to keep my promise.

Angela!

Oh, I've got to get this back into Mr McKenzie's office.

Well, you can't return it now, management's in.

When, then?

Afternoon tea.

Anglos are obsessed with afternoon tea.

The entire floor heads to the cafeteria at 3.30

for a strong cuppa.

McKenzie goes to a different tearoom in the St James toilets.

So he... he won't be in his office?

You'll have 15 minutes before the secretaries come back.

Fay.

I wanted your advice about this guy I met.

You want my advice, Lisa?

Have nothing to do with him.

Magda...

...could we get lunch tomorrow?

I need to tell you something.

Do you have my money?

If I had known what Rudi was doing...

Oh, but he kept you in the dark.

These husbands...

...what are we meant to do with them?

Hm. I wish I knew.

Stefan came to our place last night.

With his son?

George is now staying with us.

How kind of you.

Stefan knows he's done wrong.

He's completely lost without you.

I have lost the boutique of my dreams,

my marriage may not survive

and I'm demoted to Ladies' Shoes.

Mrs Janosi,

I wish great joy to you, Rudi, and your house guest.

Good morning. Welcome to Goodes. Thank you.

Well, it's quiet. I might, um, go for a cuppa.

It's been an odd day.

The gentleman who came to pay for the turban seemed...

...charming.

We don't discuss customers, Miss Miles.

I thought you'd set a better example for Miss Mansour.

She does usually...

...you know?

She gossips a fair bit about customers.

I wanted to apologise for calling Richard a creep.

It was wrong of me.

If you like him, I'm sure he's nice.

He's why you were late yesterday, right?

It's your business, not anyone else's.

Honestly, I'm not judging you.

And I won't mention it again.

I've got to go.

Um, I mean, I think I will take my break now.

Monthly girl's just arrived.

Is that for me?

You don't look Arabic.

It's...

You don't look Hungarian either.

That's what it says on my passport.

And...

American?

Cuban American.

Near Miami.

George.

It's nice to meet you.

Are you Magda's... George?

What are you doing at Goodes?

My father told me to meet him here.

Well, he's not welcome here either.

Welcome to Goodes, sir.

It's too late.

Can we speak?

I've come to explain.

This will be some explanation.

I am needed in Shoes.

Shoes?

Not you.

It was always the wrong time to tell you and then it was too late.

You had another family.

I have you.

Don't make a scene.

Come.

What do you want to know? Hm?

What do you want to know?

How she was the love of my life?

How she broke my heart when she left me?

Because none of that is her. All of it is you.

You kept a wife and child from me, Stefan.

Don't say it's because you love me.

No, it's not.

It's because I was ashamed.

I could live without them.

And the mere thought of living without you...

...it decimates me.

What kind of man does that make me?

I don't know.

I don't know anything anymore and that's what scares me.

We'll get the money from Rudi back tenfold.

Please let us return home and we'll sort this out.

I don't trust you.

And I cannot be with a man that I don't trust.

It's nothing.

It's everything.

But...

...I will prevail.

Thanks for covering with my mum.

It helped.

All in the name of love.

I don't know about love.

I'm not even sure we had...

Intercourse?

It's all really fuzzy.

I woke up in his bed.

My clothes were on the floor, but my underwear was on.

Did... Did you feel anything?

Down there?

I don't know. What are you supposed to feel?

You're the one that goes to university.

Haven't you read something?

No. I only got up to chapter three of Lady Chatterley

before Mum caught me.

Mm.

Did she tell you anything about sex?

She signed me up for netball.

If he thinks that he can do it, then I want to give him that...

Richard, I was wondering... Lisa.

Look, I know you think you and me make sense, OK? But it doesn't.

OK? Especially after the other night.

But we didn't... Exactly. We didn't.

You're a sweet girl.

You're smart. You're very beautiful.

You are.

It's just this world isn't new to me.

You see?

Uh-huh.

I knew you'd understand.

But, Richard...

Lisa, girls like you, guys like me, are not meant for each other, OK?

I don't even really believe in that kind of thing anyway,

not like you do.

You're a nice girl.

I'm a budding journalist with potential.

Correct.

And I'll expect you back in the office first thing tomorrow morning.

Everyone has to do their time as editorial assistant,

even the pretty ones.

Of course.

I might even get you to review Clive's new play.

Have a good night.

I like that.

These are from the look book. You traced them.

Nadia has some great ideas about the bridal party.

How could you agree to that?

Because I'm not family?

I am. Remember?

Slipped my mind.

My wedding is going to be a showcase

for the most beautiful and stylish gowns

that Mansour and Sons have ever made.

OK, throw away these sketches.

We'll be able to make much better copies once the gowns are in stock.

No, we don't have time for that.

Hasn't Farouk told you?

We've set the date.

Three months from today.

But what about Mum?

We've already bought her plane ticket.

I'm so sorry, but my office, um...

Someone's been...

Well, I know, I...

Spit it out, McKenzie. Oh.

The look book.

There's a scuff here on the cover and over the ladies' dresses.

The bridal gowns.

See?

The indentations and an ink smudge, which indicate...

Someone has copied it.

I'd wager it's the same someone who made the copy of our gown.

Why would an employee steal the Goodes look book?

They could be spying for the competition

or moving on to their own boutique.

There is a fly in the ointment at Goodes.

And her name is Magda.

Angela? Yes.

Who are you?

'Cause I know you're not Mike and Joe Mansours' sister.

Give me the courtesy of looking at me when I'm speaking to you,

Mrs Szombathelyi.

McKenzie's asked me to model some samples.

Once he gets your trousers down, there'll be no saving you.

Mrs Szombathelyi, would you accompany me to my office, please?

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation