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RLJ Entertainment

[ Door opens ]

[ Indistinct conversation ]

[ Knock on door ]

Is this the only suitcase

you have?

For the moment.

I'll, um...

Well, I'll fetch some things

later from the flat.

Of course I don't mind.

You might, though.

It's an awful mess.

Oh, Evie, that doesn't matter.

I mean, I shan't be here

for long.

No.

Of course not.

- These things do blow over, Bea.

- No.

I mean that

as from tomorrow,

I shall start looking for

a permanent place of my own.

Bea, do you want to talk

about this?

Not particularly.

All right.

You're right, though.

It is an awful mess.

We have so many awful messes

on our hands at the moment.

I wasn't quite sure

which one you meant.

I think the business one

is easier to deal with

than anything else.

Well, I'm glad you think so.

Ralph Saroyan may have wiped out

all our savings, Evie,

and...well, it's it's gonna be

difficult running the business

with nothing in reserve.

But he hasn't destroyed

our reputation or our talent.

If we just take each day

as it comes,

sort out the problems

one by one,

we'll manage...won't we?

Of course we will.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Oh, look at that!

Oh!

"To Madge on her birthday

from all in the workroom."

Oh, you shouldn't have!

Oh!

Happy birthday, Madge.

Oh!

[ Laughter ]

- Go on. You've got to open it.

- Oh, I couldn't do that.

It's unlucky to open umbrellas

indoors.

That's all right, because it's

a parasol, not a brolly.

That's good luck, that is.

Go on.

[ Laughs ]

Oh.

Oh, look!

Oh, no, I can't take that.

Thanks ever so.

Oh, what will people think?

[ Laughs ]

They'll think

you're doing very well

for a woman who just turned 50.

- MADGE: Oh, you!

- [ Laughter ]

JOSEPH:

Well, that was very nice, Madge.

Thank you for inviting me.

Now I must get home.

Oh, go on.

Have another bun.

Oh.

Well, I couldn't, really.

Well, put one in your pocket

for later, then.

[ Laughter ]

We have two choices.

Either we get rid of one or more

staff and save money that way...

Which means we have to cut back

on the workload,

which earns the money

in the first place.

...or we keep the staff but we

ask them all to take a small cut

- in their pay packets.

- Well, that's no choice.

If we cut the girls' wages,

half of them will leave anyway.

Oh, come on, Evie.

Where would they go?

I mean, there's precious little

work for men,

let alone girls

barely out of school.

What happened to the spirit

of "We'll manage"?

I'm trying to think of ways

to manage, Evie.

Every time we have a crisis,

we think it's the end.

Then we produce a collection,

and everything's all right.

You'll see.

We'll produce fabulous designs,

earn masses of money.

You don't believe me, do you?

I want to, Evie.

I really do.

Frankly, Jack, your attitude

has not helped this

to be a particularly productive

evening.

Abraham, I have presented you

with five new ideas tonight.

Have I ever let you down before?

Every film I've made for you

has been a success.

They're still making money

for your studio.

I'm not disputing that.

The trouble is,

with the Americans distributing

whole sets of films over here,

it's that much harder

to find backers for ours

than it used to be.

Unless the film

is particularly good,

it's cheaper for the exhibitors

to buy theirs.

Jack, all I'm saying

is that the ideas you've

outlined for me this evening,

with the best will in the world,

aren't that good.

Look, I know how difficult it is

to come up with good ideas

all the time.

Perhaps you're trying too hard.

Maybe you should give yourself

a rest.

Abraham, this is my livelihood.

[ Laughs ]

I didn't say give up making

films altogether, silly boy.

I'm merely suggesting

that perhaps it would ease

the pressure on you

if you concentrated on just

adapting someone else's stories.

No.

I can't do that.

Whatever reputation I have

is based on my ideas.

Mm.

[ Glass chimes ]

Well, go away and come up with

something that's worthy of you.

There's no rush.

I'm not closing any doors.

Shall we?

By all means.

Uh...

- Your break.

- Mm-hmm.

[ Clears throat ]

Let me give you something

to think about.

I've just signed up a young

actress called Emma Casson.

She's pretty, talented, and

a damn sight brighter than most.

What I really want is a vehicle

to show her off properly.

Comedy? Tragedy?

Thriller?

Well, you decide.

Look, I'm having a small party

at my place on Saturday evening.

I've invited Emma.

Why don't you come along

and meet her?

Bring Beatrice.

You'll relax, have a good time,

enjoy yourself.

My wife will have other plans

for that evening, but, um, yes.

- I'll be there.

- Good.

BEA:

We're not bankrupt.

We shall continue to operate

as a company,

but for a while,

things will be difficult.

Ralph Saroyan embezzled

the House of Eliott

of virtually all

its reserve funds.

Despicable swine.

- I beg your pardon.

- It's all right, Alice.

"Swine" is one of the kindlier

terms we've used for him.

So you're saying we won't be put

out of work, then?

No, Madge.

Absolutely not.

However...

What is it, Miss Beatrice?

I'm afraid we're going to

have to ask you all

to take a small cut

in your wages.

Hopefully, it won't be for long,

and as soon

as our situation improves,

we'll make sure you've got back

all the money you've lost.

For what it's worth, Bea and I

won't be taking any wages.

That seems very fair to me.

Well, it's not

a very happy thought,

but if that's

what needs to be done.

MADGE:

Yes, well, fair or not,

you've both got a lot more

than them girls out there.

And I daresay you've all got

a bit put by.

Well, I haven't,

and I'm not complaining.

Madge, if any of the girls feel

they could earn more elsewhere,

we'll be happy to give them

excellent references.

But we're quite certain that

things will be back to normal

after the collection.

[ Sighs ]

So.

Elizabeth, please talk to me.

- What about?

- Oh, for heaven's sake.

Alexander, I'm writing

to the boys.

What?

I'm telling them about

Iva Desper's birthday party

and our dinner

with the prime minister.

I'm asking Philip

about his cricket match

against Wallerfield.

If you remember, it was

his first game in the team.

Yes. Of course.

I'm -- I'm sorry.

Do you really love me so little

as to think

I could destroy my sons

by telling them of their

father's infidelity in a letter?

No.

They really do think the world

of you, you know.

What are you going to do?

I truly don't know.

I shan't make it difficult for

you if you want to divorce me.

Don't be absurd.

Alexander, I have invested

12 good, happy years

in this marriage.

I will not see it go to waste.

I will not have Philip

and William gossiped about

behind their backs at school.

And I will not stand by and see

you wreck a promising career

for the sake

of some childish infatuation.

Don't call it that, Elizabeth.

You know it's not that.

Do you think I'd put you through

this if I wasn't serious?

She must be a very special

person, Evangeline Eliott.

You must love her a great deal.

I do.

Enough to overlook the fact

that she will inevitably destroy

all that you have worked for

in the cause

of her own selfish passion?

That's not fair.

[ Door opens, closes ]

Nothing is.

BETTY: It's a pretty poor do,

if you ask me.

Well, don't hiss at me.

I'm only the messenger.

Well, how long is it gonna

go on, though?

Some of us made plans

for our money.

Yeah. Eating.

[ Laughter ]

Didn't have the neck to come and

tell us themselves, did they?

Had to get you to do

their dirty work for them.

They knew we'd have something

to say about it.

- That's why.

- That's right.

The other thing

Miss Beatrice said, Betty,

was that anyone

who didn't like it

can lump it somewhere else,

with her blessing.

So if you want to hang on

to this job,

I suggest you all get down

to some work

and think yourselves lucky

you've got work to get down to.

I thought we might devote

a whole section of the show

to outdoor pursuits -- walking,

riding, skiing, shooting,

watching other people walking,

riding...

No?

Well, it's a very adventurous

idea, Evie.

[ Sighs ]

Frankly, the last thing

I want to do right now

is to think about clothes

for people

who have nothing better to do

but enjoy themselves.

W-Well, that is rather

what our clothes are for.

[ Chuckles ]

Yes, I daresay it is.

[ Telephone ringing ]

Well, what do you want to do?

[ Clears throat ]

Go to sleep for a month,

wake up,

and find everything's just...

gone away.

[ Mid-tempo music playing ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Jack. Jack.

Are you enjoying yourself?

Oh, yes. Thank you.

[ Clears throat ]

Have you eaten yet?

There's food laid out

in the next room.

Perhaps later.

ABRAHAM:

[ Gasps ] Jack, I'm so sorry.

I promised I'd introduce you

to Emma, didn't I?

Don't interrupt her

on my account, though, please.

[ Chuckles ]

I have an idea she's desperate

to be interrupted.

Don't go away.

[ Music continues ]

Emma, this is Jack Maddox.

Jack made "The Secrets Within"

for me.

Jack, this is Emma Casson,

one of the brightest

acting talents around.

How do you do?

[ Chuckles ]

Excuse me.

I must have a word

with a friend of Dorothy's.

Thank you.

I hate it when you're introduced

like that.

You feel obliged

to start justifying yourself.

Oh, I never justify myself.

I think it's a very bad habit.

Well, you don't need to, do you?

I'm sorry?

I've seen quite a few

of your films.

No need to justify anything.

You're very kind.

No.

Just honest.

I'd say if I hated them.

You sound like a dangerous woman

to be with.

Hmm.

What does that "hmm" mean?

It means the minute you tell

anyone you're an actress,

they assume you're a dangerous

siren offscreen as well as on,

and then you have to justify

why you're not.

How very tiresome for you.

It is, actually.

Very.

You don't mind

if I don't ask you to dance.

Not in the slightest.

I'm afraid I'm not

very good company tonight.

That's all right.

I'm not asking you to be.

I don't know about you.

I'm famished.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Music continues ]

Beatrice.

What a pleasant surprise

to find you here.

Really?

I'm sorry.

Please come in.

Yes, well, it -- it saves me

a separate journey to see you

or the disruption of a visit

to your office.

BEA:

Oh, yes?

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

No, not at all.

- Please take a seat.

- Thank you.

I thought I'd bring you

up to date

on the latest developments

concerning Ralph Saroyan.

Apparently he's in Germany.

Yes.

We know.

Yes. Of course you do.

I'm sorry.

Well, the Home Office thinks

there's very little chance

of ever catching him now,

and the Treasury

has issued orders

for the closure of the Gillispie

Saroyan bank altogether.

I should think so, too.

Anyway, I've done my level best

to recoup at least some

of your investment.

But a great many other people

went down with Saroyan --

bigger investors

than the House of Eliott.

Who now take priority

as creditors, I suppose.

I'm afraid so.

Yes.

There really is nothing more

I can do.

No.

Well, thank you for expending

so much effort

on our behalf, Alexander.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I'll say good night.

Good night.

[ Door opens, closes ]

ALEXANDER:

I'm so sorry.

I tried to let you know

she was here.

- I couldn't get in contact.

- No, no, no. It's all right.

Yes.

Well, I had better go.

When may I see you again?

Uh, I don't know.

Phone me when you can.

Of course.

[ Up-tempo music playing,

indistinct conversations ]

Are you all right?

Would you like me to call you

a taxi?

No, no, no, no, no.

I've got my car outside.

Well, I think it had better

stay, then.

Don't go away.

[ Music continues ]

Evie, I'm sorry.

That must have been very awkward

for you both.

Yes.

Yes, it was.

Although I don't see

why you're sorry.

You don't approve

of the situation anyway.

No, I know I don't,

but it's your business

what you choose to do.

I'm sorry if my being here

makes things difficult for you.

Difficult?

Considering how difficult

things are anyway.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't take this out

on you.

She knows.

What?

Elizabeth...knows

about Alexander and me.

And I don't know

what to do next.

Oh, Evie, I'm so sorry.

I suppose you think

I should give him up.

No, I don't think that.

Because I really don't think

I could.

Bea, what would you do?

Oh, Evie, don't ask me.

When it comes to matters

of the heart,

I'm as much at sea as you are.

Come on, you.

JACK:

[ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ]

You are wonderful.

Yes, I know.

Night-night.

Night-night.

[ Door closes ]

Damn.

[ Telephone rings ]

Hello?

Hello, Alexander.

Yes, if you want to.

Mm-hmm.

I know the fellows.

No.

I'm fine, thank you.

[ Clears throat ]

More or less.

Alexander, what time is it?

Good God.

Is it, really?

[ Sighs ]

Right.

I'll see you in whatever --

an hour's time.

Right.

Goodbye.

[ Grunts ]

I'm so sorry.

No. It's all right, Elizabeth.

It helps to talk.

Yes.

Beatrice, is this

just an infatuation,

or is Evangeline very much

in love with my husband?

[ Mid-tempo music playing ]

I believe so, yes.

I wish she wasn't.

Elizabeth, so do I, but it

doesn't make any difference.

It makes a great deal

of difference to me.

Try not to hate Evie.

Oh, I can't.

If I thought she was

just a selfish little thing

out for what she could get,

using Alexander,

but an honest woman in love...

I hate what she's doing.

But I can't hate her.

Which is not to say

I shan't put up a fight for him.

There's one thing quite clear

in my mind, Beatrice,

and that is I shall never

divorce my husband.

My sons, my home, my life...

even Alexander, damn him,

are all far too important.

And you may pass that message on

to Evangeline or not

as you please.

In the meantime,

just because Alexander

is causing chaos

in my private life,

I see no reason why he should do

the same to my wardrobe.

Do you?

I hope you don't mind it here.

Sometimes it helps to go

where one won't bump into

any of one's colleagues.

Thank you.

Elizabeth knows about Evie.

Oh, God.

How did she find out?

She came right out

and asked me the question.

And I couldn't deny it.

I've said I won't object

if she wishes to divorce me,

but she won't hear of it.

Do you want a divorce?

I really don't know.

Well, if it's advice you've come

looking for, old chum,

you've come to the wrong man.

Part of the reason

I got so drunk last night --

Beatrice and I have separated.

Afraid I'm not in a position

to give anyone any advice

at the moment.

I'm so sorry.

I didn't know.

[ Sighs ]

What a mess all 'round, eh?

[ Chuckles ]

I'll drink to that -- again.

But, Jack, what worries me

is that if Elizabeth has heard

enough rumors

to actually confront me

with them,

then who else has heard?

Ah.

Precisely.

The government's under enough

pressure as it is at the moment.

The last thing anyone needs

is a scandal.

When you say pressure, you mean

this business with the miners?

Yes.

It's a shame

anything has to happen.

Everyone is so intransigent.

Birkenhead said it

the other night.

You think the miners

are the stupidest men on earth

until you meet the coal owners.

[ Chuckles ]

Of course. I forgot.

Your dad's a miner, isn't he?

And both my brothers.

Every man in the family, really.

Wonder how they view

the conflict.

'Cause I'm telling you,

if those miners do go on strike,

they'll get a lot of sympathy

from the other unions.

- Mr. Know-It-All.

- Oh, yeah.

But I know something

he doesn't know.

What?

I know about Miss Beatrice

staying upstairs with Miss Evie.

- You what?

- Mm.

I saw her arrive with a suitcase

a few days ago.

I think there's been

a bit of conflict

with her and Mr. Maddox.

Oh.

And I think

you should keep your nose

out of other people's business,

Betty,

and stop spreading

wicked rumors.

No smoke without fire, Tilly.

Anyway, you only have to look

at Miss Evie

to know something's going on.

Now get on with your work.

Oh, did I leave my scarf here?

JACK:

I put it on the desk.

Thank you.

Was I disgraceful

the other night?

No, just astoundingly drunk.

Oh.

Good.

You didn't seem to enjoy

Abraham's party very much.

No.

I wasn't in the mood.

Has he turned down

one of your projects?

What's he been saying to you?

Nothing. Nothing.

Just a guess.

He seems to be turning down

suggestions from everyone

at the moment.

Really?

I've been begging him for weeks

to find me a part

that isn't a feeble, dewy-eyed,

romantic heroine --

something with a bit of grit

to it.

And?

Oh, it's always,

"But you look so beautiful

in the crinoline, my dear."

[ Door closes,

footsteps approaching ]

Oh.

I didn't expect you to be here.

Bea.

Um, this is Emma Casson.

- Emma --

- It's all right.

I won't disturb you.

I've...

I've just come to collect

these things, thank you.

JACK:

Excuse me.

Bea.

- You're not disturbing anything.

- It's all right.

I'll telephone next time

and make sure it's convenient.

Goodbye.

Hm.

What's that the miners say?

"Not a penny off the pay,

not a minute on the day."

- Hm!

- Stop moaning.

We both like those two designs,

but they're not linked.

Why do we need a theme at all?

Because that's what people

expect of us, Evie.

We have always offered clothes

with a coordinated theme.

Yes, but in the end, it's the

individual design that counts.

[ Sighs ]

They must relate.

[ Sighs ]

Bea, I have come up with

dozens of ideas,

and you've dismissed

the lot of them.

Oh, come on.

That's not fair.

I'm not getting at you, Bea,

but it is fair.

I know your mind's taken up

with Jack.

You know,

I do understand that.

But I can't carry

this collection all by myself.

No, especially not when you go

galloping off with Alexander

at the drop of a hat.

Bea, I haven't seen him

all of this week!

Well, that's not due to

any professional considerations

or even moral ones.

It's because he's so preoccupied

with this wretched strike.

What am I supposed to do?

Your dad's actually been

locked out of the pit?

Oh, they all have!

Me mom's frantic.

But it's not just the boys.

She's got the two littlest ones

as well.

That's six mouths to feed

and not a penny coming in

from anywhere.

I'd help out and send something,

but...I just can't afford it.

Not now, you can't.

Shut up, Betty.

Oh. Sorry.

I forgot.

We mustn't complain, must we?

Else we might find

we've been locked out.

[ Door opens ]

- Oh!

- There.

I'm not saying I told you so,

but I told you so.

- What?

- General strike starts tomorrow.

All the unions coming out

in support of the miners.

TILLY:

Oh, they're not.

CHARLES:

He went to bed.

He actually went to bed.

- AGNES: Who did?

- Baldwin. The prime minister.

Walter Citrine,

secretary of the T.U.C.,

went to sort out some crisis

at The Daily Mail.

When he came back

to say the crisis was sorted,

could they get on

with the peace talks, please,

he found Baldwin

had taken himself off to bed.

He didn't want to know.

When does it all start?

- Well, tomorrow, apparently.

- Yeah.

Well, that's the sort of

government we've got, isn't it?

Couldn't give a damn.

None of the bosses give a damn,

if you ask me.

Could we mind our language

in the workroom, please, Betty?

Oh, why?

In case we offend them

out there in the office?

They didn't bother

about offending us

when they cut our wages,

did they?

Well, no.

Miss Bea just said

we had to work harder

- for our new collection.

- Now, that's enough.

Oh, that's nice,

coming from you.

There's my Stanley coming out

on strike.

Not a train running,

there won't be.

My table's not gonna be busting

with food.

I can tell you that.

And why?

Sympathy with her lot.

That's why.

Support for the miners.

Well, it's not my fault.

TILLY: And it's not

Miss Bea's fault, either.

And I think it's a crying shame

we don't have a union

to take us out and strike.

That would show them.

Aye, it'd show them

that seamstresses who bitch

more than they stitch

aren't worth having!

I hope you're good at very small

writing, Mrs. Burgoyne.

Oh, yes?

Why is that?

So as my husband won't see

how much this is costing him.

[ Chuckles ]

Oh, um, don't misunderstand me.

I'm not saying he's not

generous, because he is.

But the slightest thing at the

moment, and he goes up the wall.

Must be very difficult for you.

I can understand it, mind.

The sort of pressure that's put

upon these businessmen,

especially at the moment --

Well, I wouldn't want to

have to cope with it.

Quite.

Ah.

Here we are.

Mrs. Atherstone,

this is Madge Althorpe,

who will be dealing with

your fitting.

- How do you do?

- Be sure to come and tell me

when Mrs. Atherstone

is ready to leave, Madge.

I will.

Now, Mrs. Atherstone, if you'd

just like to slip this on.

Well, now, there's a voice

to warm your heart.

I beg your pardon.

Where do you come from, lass?

- Just outside Oldham.

- Really?

I was born and brought up

near Saddleworth.

Oh, that's just down the road!

Of course,

we live in Alderley Edge now.

Oh.

Oh, it's smashing 'round there,

isn't it?

I have an aunt

over in Macclesfield.

She used to take us

up on the Edge for picnics

when we had our holidays there.

You know, you've made me feel

so much better.

Why?

This is the first time I've ever

been to a fashion house.

I was that nervous.

You don't know how nice it is

to meet a good,

solid Lancashire lass down here.

Good.

I'm glad.

Now, have a stretch and tell me

how that sleeve feels.

Well, this is the best idea

you've given me

for a good while.

Good.

Strong stuff.

- Strong times, Abraham.

- Mm.

Most people will find someone

in it they can identify with.

Well, you've certainly covered

all angles --

father a policeman,

son a train driver,

daughter's fiancé a miner.

But young Master Galbraith

waiting in the wings.

[ Laughs ]

It wasn't meant to be quite

as cynical as that, Abraham.

But I-I think the central theme

of a family torn apart

by something as powerful

as a general strike

would prove to be strong drama.

Oh, you're right.

You're right.

As long as you can make it work.

Well, since you mention it,

one of the things

which will make it work

is taking scenes from real life.

Now, there's bound to be

some action on the street --

marches, demonstrations.

We won't know what

until it happens.

But believe me,

something is going to happen.

You want to go and film this?

Yes.

I've got quite a few friends

in the press.

They'll keep me informed

about the whens, the wheres.

Just give me a cameraman and

a crew for a couple of weeks.

N-Now, wait a minute, Jack.

Wait a minute.

So far,

I think it's an exciting idea

if you can get

some good pictures.

Now, listen to me.

In my experience, nothing looks

worse than real-life action

with real people

just dumped in between scenes

filmed in a studio with actors.

We take a couple of actors

with us when we're filming.

They join in

with whatever is happening.

We film them.

And there they are,

in the thick of it.

[ Exhales deeply ]

[ Chuckles ]

You do realize, Jack,

that if this strike turns nasty,

being "in the thick of it,"

as you say,

could backfire very seriously.

I think it's a risk

worth taking.

Use Emma Casson.

Emma?

Use her, and I'll give you a

cameraman, crew for a fortnight.

She's been on my back for weeks

for me to give her something

to get her teeth into.

Let her -- [ Chuckles ]

Let her chew on that.

All right.

[ Crowd chanting ]

...not a minute on the day.

Not a penny off the pay,

not a minute on the day.

Not a penny off the pay,

not a minute on the day.

Not a penny off the pay,

not a minute on the day.

Not a penny off the pay,

not a minute on the day.

Not a penny off the pay,

not a minute on the day.

[ Indistinct shouting ]

[ Shouting continues ]

- TILLY: Excuse me!

- [ Bell rings ]

[ Bell ringing ]

I'm so sorry I'm late.

I had to catch a taxi.

- No one else here yet?

- No.

There are no buses, no trains,

no trams.

I don't think there are even

any underground trains.

You've never seen so many people

in the streets.

That must be it, then.

The girls must just simply be

caught up in it all.

As long as they haven't all

decided to go on strike as well.

That's all we need.

[ Horns honking ]

[ Shouting indistinctly ]

[ Shouting in distance ]

Now, you know

what you've got to do.

MRS. ATHERSTONE:

You'll get a cold on your chest

wearing those shoes

on your feet.

- That's what me mom always said.

- Well, she's right.

Oh, uh, I'm ever so sorry.

Oh, don't mind me, Madge.

I'm just thinking about you.

Truth is, Mrs. Atherstone,

I've got blisters

the size of walnuts on me heels.

Oh!

I had to walk six and a half

miles to get here this morning.

Call me soft, but I'm not

used to that sort of thing.

As well you shouldn't have to

get used to it.

Those miners have got a lot

to answer for, you know.

Perhaps.

Oh, there's no perhaps about it.

[ Chuckles ]

Who do they think they are?

I should like to know.

You feed them, you house them,

you give them paid work a lot

of folk would be grateful for.

And all they can do

is turn 'round

and bite the hand

that feeds them.

Oh, believe me, Madge.

I know what I'm talking about.

I see it all the time.

Really?

My husband and his partner own

three mines

around Oldham and Cheadle.

They're all the same.

Excuse me one moment, please.

Mrs. Burgoyne?

Um, I'm very sorry,

but I'm afraid I can't deal with

Mrs. Atherstone any longer.

I beg your pardon.

Under the present circumstances,

my family being locked out

of the pit and her husband

being one of the ones

that's doing the locking out,

I think it would be better

if someone else took over.

Very well.

Betty, would you go

and take over Mrs. Atherstone's

fitting, please?

I will not.

Agnes.

- I'll do it, Mrs. Burgoyne.

- Thank you, Tilly.

What color is your stockings,

Tilly?

Eh?

Just as I thought.

She's got black legs.

[ Laughter, murmuring ]

Your Stanley out on strike?

He most certainly is.

And me dad.

Him and Billy work

down at St. John's dock.

They're out, too.

I think it's wrong.

We've had our wages cut.

Shouldn't we be striking?

[ Crowd shouting ]

[ Shouting continues ]

[ Shouting indistinctly ]

[ Whistle blowing ]

ELIZABETH:

"Her Majesty wishes to express

her gratitude to her subjects at

this time for their kind concern

and begs to reassure them

that the royal household will

continue to function as normal."

"Yours sincerely," et cetera.

If you have a moment,

Lady Montford.

Of course.

Thank you.

[ Door closes ]

Your grace?

Elizabeth, I'm afraid

I have to speak to you

on a most sensitive issue.

Please do go on.

Her Majesty has heard rumors

that Lord Montford has been

behaving somewhat indiscreetly

in his private life.

Naturally, if you can assure me

there's no foundation

to these rumors,

I'd be delighted to apologize

for the distress

this must be causing you.

I cannot give you

that assurance.

I take no pleasure in this,

Elizabeth.

Believe me.

But you must realize

that the royal household

cannot be seen to be connected

in any way

with any form of scandal...

because of your position.

Perhaps when these rumors

have died down.

I shall order my motorcar

immediately.

Alex.

Glad I've caught you.

Only just.

I have a dinner engagement.

With Miss Eliott?

It is becoming common knowledge,

you know.

Look, I don't give a hoot

what you do in your private life

so long as it remains

just that -- private.

Because as whip, I must warn you

that if this little adventure of

yours becomes any more public,

it could cause the government

serious embarrassment.

I'm having dinner

with the secretary of state.

Jolly good.

Knew you wouldn't let

the side down.

Oh, by the way,

how are you getting along with

the Gillispie Saroyan affair?

Starting to unravel

the tangled finances on it?

Yes.

Yes, I-I think so.

A complicated sort of business,

really.

Oh, of that I have no doubt.

Have a pleasant evening.

Good night, Alex.

[ Sighs ]

Evie.

[ Laughter ]

[ Up-tempo music playing ]

Well done.

- [ Clears throat ]

- [ Sighs ]

Now that they've gone, I can

tell you I was jolly scared.

I know.

It showed.

That's why the scenes will look

so good.

You're a vulture.

Do you know that?

I've been called worse.

More coffee?

Oh, no, thanks.

I think I'd better be

getting home.

I'll drive you.

Yes, please.

"Sorry"?

I have been told

that I have to leave my position

at the palace

because of your indiscretions,

and you are sorry?

How dare you do this to me?

Elizabeth...I'm not going to see

Evangeline again.

What?

Are you serious?

Well...it can't go on.

It's causing embarrassment

to the administration.

I see.

You'll end your liaison

for the prime minister

but not for your wife.

That's not what I meant.

I know exactly what you meant.

Oh, Alexander, do as you wish.

End it or not as you please.

Just don't attempt to sleep

in my bed

while you make up your mind.

[ Sheep bleating ]

Excuse me.

Could you come over here?

Wait.

Roll.

[ Rattling ]

[ Bell rings ]

[ Projector clicking ]

It's good, Jack.

It's good.

JACK:

Thank you.

ABRAHAM

[ Chuckles ]

You're lucky you didn't

get yourself arrested.

Look at the results.

Mm.

It's a pity the strike

didn't go on longer, really.

What?

Ten days not long enough

for you, then?

No, no.

The scenes by the docks

are terrific.

Terrific.

It's just that we could have

done with a little more.

That's all.

Thank you, Burt.

EVIE:

It's so good to see you again.

I'm sorry.

[ Down-tempo music playing ]

As long as we're together now.

I'm just glad it's all over --

the strike.

Do you know, up till now,

I wouldn't have believed

that one small,

ill-informed group of people

would even try to hold

the country to ransom like that.

It's incredibly irresponsible.

Perhaps the miners felt

a responsibility

towards feeding their families.

What?

Perhaps they felt that strongly

about it.

No, Evie.

No matter how strongly

one feels,

nothing justifies

the wanton disruption

of the established order.

That puts our relationship

in a rather bleak perspective.

Evie, this is absurd.

The two things

are completely different.

- I think I'd like to go now.

- Evie.

Excuse me.

Could I have my cape, please?

Evie, wait.

Listen to me, please.

What you don't know

is that I have asked Elizabeth

to divorce me.

I want to marry you, Evie.

[ Door closes,

footsteps approaching ]

[ Inhales sharply, sniffs ]

Good evening?

No.

You?

No.

That's all right, then.

Just as long as we're both

feeling foul.

Oh, please, Evie.

I'm not in the mood.

Have you seen the paper?

Halfway down the page.

"Fashionable London

is bound to be delighted

by the announcement...

...from Maison Gilles

that his new London house

will open this summer."

That's all we need.

Isn't it just?

Bea, I don't care.

We are more than a match

for Maison Gilles.

But are we, Evie?

I mean, what are we going to do

about this new collection?

Nothing tonight.

We'll get a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow we'll meet

in my office.

We'll go through

all of these designs, and...

we'll come to some sort

of a decision then.

- Madge?

- Yes, Charles.

Has the lovat tweed

been delivered

or is it still held up

in Peebles?

- I have no idea.

- Yeah. Not to worry.

I'll ask Miss Evie.

Oh, uh, I wouldn't do that

if I were you.

They're in ever such

a funny mood this morning.

Well, that's 20 designs

we quite like.

No, that's 20 designs we dislike

less than the others.

As a small collection,

it might still do.

Bea, people have come to expect

something special

from the House of Eliott.

Well, one thing these aren't

is special.

Evie, what about this one?

I don't like it.

- That was one of mine.

- All right.

Well, this is one of mine,

and that's rubbish, too.

Well, I'm glad you admit it.

[ Paper tearing ]

Do you think they're ill?

Oh, I don't know.

[ Clears throat ]

Uh, excuse me.

Could we have your attention,

please?

[ Clears throat ]

Well, over the last few weeks,

we've been giving a lot

of thought

to the immediate future

of the House of Eliott.

And, well, in the best interests

of us all,

we've decided not to show

a collection this summer.

Thank you.

That will be all.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Evie, what choice did we have?

I just didn't think

it would come to this.

Yes.

Well, it's not all our fault.

These past few months have been

real stinkers, haven't they?

[ Door closes ]

Excuse me.

I've just heard a rumor

that you're canceling

the summer collection.

EVIE:

That's not a rumor, Alice.

We are canceling it.

We simply didn't have

a collection.

We weren't happy with

the designs we came up with,

and rather than show clothes

which we consider

beneath our standards,

we will postpone the collection

until we've come up with

something we are satisfied with.

Until then, we will continue

with our commissions as usual.

I see.

I would have appreciated

hearing this from you

rather than from the girls

in the workroom.

Yes.

I'm sorry, Alice.

Uh, we only came to the decision

a few minutes ago

and as we were in the workroom.

ALICE:

You do realize the damage

this could do

to your reputation, don't you?

Especially with Maison Gilles

promising a most spectacular

opening show.

People will think you're

frightened of the competition.

Alice, I'm afraid people will

have to think what they like.

Our reputation would have been

more severely damaged

by a tired,

second-rate collection.

Which, to be honest,

is, uh, all we'd come up with.

Well, I see you've made

your decision.

Yes, we have.

Very well.

Good morning.

Well, Evie, the one

comforting thing about all this

is having hit rock bottom,

there's only one way to go

from there.

And where's that?

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