Original subtitles

(Theme music playing)

(Bell tinkles)

Why, Denise!

Now my day's all sunshine! (Chuckles)

Come in!

Ah! Let me take your coat.

Aye. It's not... Just a visit?

I'm sorry, uncle. I know I should have written to say I was coming,

but, well, I'd made up my mind that it was time so...

Well, that's...

Denise, I...

I know I always said you would come here one day,

and you will, you will, I swear it.

Things will pick up,

and once they do, you and I will...

Surely business can't be so bad?

(Sighs)

Perhaps in a few months' time.

- Dudley: Moray. - Saturday's figures?

£153.

We did it.

"We" did it? Okay.

Oh, lord, don't you dare!

- What? - That look you're wearing.

What look is that?

Restlessness, upheaval, trouble.

Admit it, you have something on your mind.

Was madam looking for any particular department?

Uh, no, thank you. I was hoping...

(Sighs)

I'm looking for work.

Oh, uh, try ladieswear department, first floor.

The girl from there has... Left.

- Ask for miss Audrey. - Thank you.

Um, when miss Audrey looks down her nose at you, remember this.

She shaves her top lip.

Uh, I'm Sam, by the way.

You're supposed to tell me your name now.

Oh, I'm Denise.

Well, Denise, you're a country girl, aren't you?

Is it so obvious?

Here.

A touch of blue ribbon.

Might distract them from your boots.

Draw their attention to your eyes.

Thank you.

Can you help me, please? I need to speak to miss Audrey.

Cleaners should report to the back door.

I was hoping for a position working here.

A position? In ladieswear?

Then I must introduce you to our head of department at once.

Miss Audrey, this young lady seems to think you might like to take her on.

My name's Denise, ma'am. I believe you may have an opening for a salesgirl.

I may have.

Do you have experience?

I worked in my local draper's store, ma'am, in peebles.

I shall have to take your word for it that peebles has a draper's shop.

Moray: Good morning, miss Audrey.

Morning, girls. Please, carry on.

Do you have a testimonial?

Yes, ma'am.

Mr lovett!

Are you his niece?

- Yes, ma'am. - Is that Edmund lovett?

Yes, sir.

- Did he send you here? - No, sir.

Well, the fact that lovett can't find work for his niece

in his own establishment, I will gladly oblige a neighbour.

That is if miss Audrey should choose to take you on.

The application will proceed in the usual manner, miss lovett.

We will write to you.

Thank you.

Darling, my father has agreed to speak with you.

I mean about the loan for your store.

Thank you, Katherine.

It is most kind of you to offer this.

Papa tried to tell me that you must go back to the bank.

But I glared at him

and... he is decidedly more amenable.

He will try to be grumpy, but you will charm him in five minutes.

Well, I hope that once he hears my plans,

he will see that it is good business.

I will help you.

Is he inside?

He will be shortly.

Darling, I have invited some friends for tea.

They have been pestering me to meet you.

I can't keep you secret any longer.

Will you join us?

Denise: Uncle?

I've been offered a position at the paradise.

You can't, Denise.

I must work, uncle.

I must earn a wage or how will I survive here?

And a perfume I had especially imported from Morocco.

It is so intoxicating,

that one wisp of it

and I find myself utterly hypnotised,

beyond all sense.

I dare not let myself imagine what they put into it.

Oh, really!

You must come to the paradise, ladies.

Moray: To try the fragrance. Mrs harkness: Perhaps.

I have heard that it is entirely possible that one may find oneself

at the same glove counter as a grocer's wife.

Mrs harkness: Imagine buying the very scent a butcher's daughter is wearing! (Laughs)

I'm sure the grocer's wife would be greatly relieved

that she does not have to stand

beside your celebrated radiance, ladies.

It is, however, my loss,

and I must satisfy myself by giving my attention to the butcher's daughter.

But I will wait in my store, ladies,

in the hope that one day soon you will come to me.

If there is a more attractive man within a hundred miles,

I will kiss my husband.

He is utterly adorable, Katherine.

Mrs ballentine: He is talking to your father rather intensely.

My question for you, moray, is this.

Does the world truly need more perfumes and petticoats?

"Need" is not the issue, sir.

I deal in appetite.

There's a weakness in women which we must exploit to the advantage of business.

I know you've been turned away by every bank in town, moray.

Women are fickle.

Can you guarantee they'll go on spending their money

on your perfumes and fripperies?

I see that I must show you conclusively

what the paradise can do.

Mrs harkness: Has he proposed to you?

Katherine: What a question to ask!

That is no kind of a denial,

which means that he has.

Katherine, how wonderful!

(Whispers) Please, you must say nothing.

We have hardly spoken about it.

But we must celebrate!

It will be the event of the year!

Why moray?

Of all the men you could have chosen, Katherine, why him?

He'll conquer the city. I'm not sure he'll make much of a husband.

You said no, and made him wait?

He's convinced he can prove to me that his store is irresistible.

- Perhaps it is. - But you must let him feel you're unsure.

He brings out something in you that disturbs me.

It is only the chase, papa.

Boy: You're Denise, aren't you?

I'm Arthur. Follow me.

Keep up!

I know every face in this place.

And every name, and all.

Don't look so worried. Everyone here had their first day.

Except me.

Howay.

See that there? That's where I was born.

There you are. Anything you need to know, ask Arthur.

(Girls giggling)

Girl, dallying is considered a sin in a department store.

I hope you're not to be a dallier. Are you going to be a dallier?

Uh, no, miss Audrey, I was just looking...

No time for chattering, girl. Here is your uniform.

You may change in ladieswear today.

From tomorrow, you must arrive ready for work.

Just in time, pauline!

- Why must you always be just in time? - Sorry, ma'am, sorry.

It was my hair got caught in my dress.

Sorry.

You'll be shown to your room after work.

We expect our girls to be in bed by 10:00.

Yes, miss Audrey.

You can share with me. Rooms. We live three to a bed.

I mean room! Do you snore?

I snore. Come on.

That's how we wear it. (Chuckles)

We take turns with the customers. I'll show you.

We put our name on the board. That way it's fair, we all get our turn.

To earn commission. No one could survive on the wages.

I can't, anyway. (Chuckles)

There. Now you're one of us.

Pauline, why are you never where you're supposed to be?

It is a sin to abandon your department.

Quickly, girl, haberdashery, haberdashery!

Sorry, miss Audrey, ma'am. Sorry!

Oh, Denise. (Sighs)

You must learn how to wear clothes.

If you must keep your hair long, then tie it up properly.

It looks like a mongrel dog's tail hanging there.

We require standards of dress and decorum from our girls.

There will be no relations with the male staff. No relations.

Any manner of relations on shop premises

will be dealt with swiftly and severely.

Your predecessor was discovered with a young man in a...

Alone in her room.

(Girls talking indistinctly)

- Girl: Miss Audrey? - Ah!

Woman: Thank you.

Get your shoes on, Denise. We're all going out.

I can't, pauline. I've got no money.

- Tell her, pauline. - We usually get some young man to buy us a drink!

(Giggling)

What happened to mr moray's wife?

Don't ever mention his wife in the paradise. Do you understand?

It's forbidden.

No one ever talks about her.

-What happened? -There was an accident. She died.

People talk.

Oh, it's all gossip and rumour.

People say all sorts of horrible things.

About mr moray?

They're jealous, that's all.

They like to think bad of him because he's made something of himself.

What fun is there staying here on your own, Denise?

We work so hard so we like to dance and flirt and live!

- Come on! - Another night I will.

If you don't join in, be one of the girls, you won't last long here.

- It's a good life if you go with it! - (Both laughing)

What are you doing, mr moray, sir?

I'm thinking, Arthur.

What are you thinking about, mr moray, sir?

Proof.

I must prove that the paradise can conquer this whole city.

Is it hard thinking about proof, sir? It looks mighty painful.

Do you want me to do some thinking for you, sir?

I'm mighty good at thinking, me.

I'll manage, thank you, Arthur.

Something will come to me.

Thanks.

Moray, this is 10 times our weekly orders.

I want to fill the store to bursting.

Every department, every counter, every inch.

Dudley: Why would you want to do that?

We will announce that the price of everything is to be greatly reduced.

Ah, I see. Splendid notion.

If I'm allowed to sound just a slight note of caution,

why so much?

Why don't we order what we can afford and put on

a reduced price sale in one department, perhaps two.

Ah, yes! Yes! Yes, of course. I see it now!

"The paradise announces a small sale."

We could do that if we wanted a small outcome, a small reward.

Really, Dudley.

Do you want to live in a small world?

Forgive my naivety, moray.

You are right because, well, you are always right.

I'll get these orders sent off directly.

- Arthur? - Mr Dudley, sir?

Before I send these off,

one tiny, possibly irritating, difficulty occurs to me.

How do we pay our suppliers for these mountains of goods?

We don't. We take delivery and we stall until after the sale.

- Why? - Tell him why, Arthur.

Proof, sir.

To prove to glendenning,

the paradise can woo every woman in this city through our door.

It's a gamble. It's a necessary gamble.

Slow down. That is all I'm asking.

There's no need for such haste.

Men who slow down, Dudley, men who take their time,

they come second.

I do not do that.

(Sighs)

(Box clatters to floor)

- Miss. - Sir, thank you, mr Jonas, sir.

You were asking questions about mr moray's wife.

No, I...

Yes, I was.

But I didn't mean to pry or gossip.

Who told you that I was asking?

You're new. You were bound to ask.

The poor woman fell.

The foundations for the first extension were dug.

And she fell.

A terrible, sorrowful misfortune.

Now you know.

Yes, now I know.

So there's no need to ask any more questions.

No, sir. I mean... yes, sir.

The day will come, Denise,

when mr moray will call you to his office.

Be ready.

(Girls whispering)

Denise: She's so beautiful!

That is Katherine glendenning, one of the richest women in the city.

Everyone says they are to marry, her and moray.

Married.

You've fallen for him, haven't you?

No.

-Of course I haven't. That would be silly. -(Laughing)

It would be foolish. What a ridiculous thing!

- Every shop girl does. - (Pauline continues giggling)

Mr Jonas said I'd be called into mr moray's office one day.

- What did he mean? - Well, you are on probation here.

When you are called, moray will tell you if you are to stay.

Or not. Not stay.

- Oh. - Some girls, some of the girls,

the ones who feel they're losing their jobs,

they're called to his office.

(Chuckles nervously) It's only tales, I expect.

Dudley: It's a triumph, moray.

Katherine glendenning in the paradise.

Everyone knows you'll marry her.

Hmm. Is that the gossip?

Any man would marry Katherine glendenning.

Hasn't enough time passed now?

- And you deserve to marry again. - (Chuckles)

Ladies, good afternoon.

Excuse me, Clara, but it's my turn.

Oh, it will be your turn, when you can sell.

But if I don't earn my commission... I need the money!

Why do you need the money?

You have rooms, you have food.

Oh, you going to cry, country girl?

Why are you doing this? It's only my name you cross off the board.

Do you think I don't see that? Why?

Girls, girls, what is going on here?

My name was top of the board, ma'am, but Clara wiped it away.

I am the one who decides whose turn it is.

Denise, our regular customers are too valuable to give to you

until you know what you are doing.

- But ma'am, if I'm to learn... - You are on probation, girl.

Do not defy me. Defying is the worst of sins in a department store.

There is plenty of folding and stacking to do. Quickly.

Quickly!

Yes, ma'am.

I was curious.

Your store is rather beautiful, in a brash kind of way.

You don't mind me teasing you, do you, darling?

I thought I might buy some trinket,

just to show you that I'm not entirely immune to your seductions.

Might I suggest you visit the ladieswear department?

Oh. I'm not sure I could face the world

in any dress that was not made by my own seamstress.

(Sighs) Katherine.

Do you suppose a man cares if a woman's dress is hand-sewn?

Mmm?

A stitch does not make the blood rise.

I'm sorry that my father was such an old stick about your plans, moray.

We must work on him together,

you and I.

He will see how fond I am of you

and his resistance will melt.

I am already making my own plans to overcome his resistance.

Tell me.

When I'm ready.

In five days' time,

the paradise, the whole store, every department,

will come together in one grand sale.

Prices will be so reduced for one day,

that customers flock to our store.

I want this to be our best day ever.

I want us to create such a frenzy of shopping

that we make in one day more than we do in a week.

I don't suppose any one of you will object if your pockets are bursting with bonuses!

(All laughing)

There is a lot of work for us to do,

but I do not see before me one face shy of that.

Well said, mr moray, sir.

(Indistinct conversation)

I know what I shall do with my bonus.

I should like to come into the store and buy the fanciest coat

or perhaps some boots.

Pauline dreams of being a customer here one day.

She thinks if she's on the other side of the counter,

that some well-to-do man is going to fall for her.

No, I don't!

But you do see some fine gentlemen, and they can't all be married!

What will you do with your bonus, Clara?

Oh, I am not going to worry about that till it's in me hand.

Mmm, there he is, with his writing.

Denise: What's he doing? Pauline: Every day he writes in that book.

Mmm, what he sees and what he knows, no doubt.

I'd love to get me hands on that book.

What about you, Denise? What will you buy with your bonus?

I don't know that I will buy anything.

Perhaps something for your uncle?

- Mmm, a Saint as well as a martyr. - (Pauline giggles)

Sam: Oh, she's watching us.

I fancy she would like to come and join us, you know?

Only so she can Filch the best bits off your plate!

We might all end up like her.

Single, lonely.

Her position here the only thing to speak of in her life.

(Girls chuckle)

(Clears throat)

Makes me nervous when you pamper me.

Papa.

Will you do something for me?

My darling, I wish your traps weren't so delightful.

Will you give me the ring?

Mother's ring.

Has moray spoken to you?

(Chuckles sheepishly)

You are not allowed to ask me that.

When will I ever learn to say no to you?

Papa.

When you are so old that your eyes water,

I will hold your hand and kiss you every day.

Can I have it?

If I could only make you see

that this rush to love...

This is not going to make you happy.

But you will let me have the ring?

Why, miss glendenning, ma'am. How pleasing to see you here.

Not that you shouldn't be here.

I only meant that I hope we can please you.

Find something that might be pleasing. Clara?

Come and attend to miss glendenning.

I am told that I might find the latest fashions here.

Ah. Indeed, ma'am. Perhaps I could show you the tea gown...

I hope you're not suggesting that I could be seen on the street

wearing a readymade dress?

Perhaps, miss glendenning, if you were to see the dress modelled?

Denise, you must put on the dress.

Quickly, girl, quickly!

We dally at our peril.

Hurry up, girl!

Are you dawdling in there?

Miss Audrey, this dress doesn't fit.

Miss Audrey: Let me see. Let me see. Girl, you are all a fuss.

You haven't even fastened it.

Do you not know how to wear a dress?

(Miss Audrey gasps)

Denise: Oh, excuse me.

I think it must be the wrong size. It won't go on properly.

I cannot imagine why you would think I could wear such a thing.

It is the model, madam.

She does not know how to exhibit the dress properly.

I have seen enough. Thank you.

Ma'am, if I may,

what does it matter how I look in the dress?

It only matters how you will look in it.

Mr moray himself

went to Paris to seek out the latest fashion.

I don't mind looking a fool in a dress two sizes too small,

but I wouldn't be doing my job

if I allowed you to leave without explaining to you

why you should buy it.

You are rather forthright, girl.

That is only because

I believe you will look wonderful in this dress, ma'am.

And if I am wrong,

miss Audrey will relieve me of my position.

The dress is called the tea gown, ma'am,

because it's worn without a corset,

for comfort, for daytime entertaining.

The soft lines give the dress an especially feminine quality.

In France, it is known as the cinq a sept,

the hours when a lady might receive suitors.

It is beautiful, ma'am, with its lace edging

and dome silk-covered buttons.

Silk bows on the front and on the cuffs.

I'm sure we could have it delivered to your home for you to try on

so you could see how it might look on you.

In a month, this dress will be the talk of the town,

just as it's the talk of Paris now.

Edmund: I've already spoken to my partners,

and they're all of one voice.

Retail makes them nervous.

They prefer coal or shipping.

But it is for you to decide, sir.

Come to the sale, and you will see what is possible.

Katherine has had suitors.

Some of them I liked.

She showed no interest in any of them.

I know my position, sir.

I'm a salesman who has done rather well.

- I realise... - Don't toy with me, moray.

You know that my daughter is infatuated with you.

Do you share Katherine's feelings?

I regard Katherine most tenderly, sir.

I must warn you.

If you break her heart,

whether or not I Grant you a loan will be of no consequence,

because I shall make it my business to ruin you.

Moray, for one last time, let me try to get you to stop this.

I'd rather you put the champagne on ice.

You joke about everything. You joke about this? You're a disgrace!

Look. Look around you.

These people, every one of them depend upon us for their work.

How dare you?

I created every job here.

And I'll create more.

All that matters is I fill this store for one day with customers.

Yes, we can grow.

But why must it be done at such great risk?

If you will not listen to reason...

Then what?

Then I will stop trying to reason with you.

(Indistinct chatter)

Girl: Don't take any longer, girls.

Then miss angel, then miss new girl falling at her feet.

Oh, I saw it the day she arrived.

(Scoffs) She's no innocent little country girl.

Come on, I need a drink!

- (Footsteps approaching) - Moray: What are you suggesting, Jonas?

- He met with some of your suppliers... - (Gasps)

at the three crowns, sir.

I've known Dudley since we were boys,

starting out together!

There's no cunning in him!

I could not get close enough to hear their conversation

without being noticed.

But I know the landlord of the three crowns,

and I passed him a small sum to help me with that.

I was best man at his wedding.

I sit at his dining table with him and his children.

I find it almost impossible to doubt Dudley.

The point is, sir, he seems to doubt you.

(Sighs)

There were four suppliers there.

He appeared to be warning them

they may not get paid for the orders you placed with them.

Moray: Jonas!

(Door closes)

Champagne?

Wasn't it you who told me that every occasion is made better by champagne?

My mother's engagement ring.

My father gave it to me after he spoke with you.

It's beautiful.

Why would your father do such a thing?

I can't bear it when you tease me.

My father can see what we are skirting around.

It is time.

I know why this is difficult for a widower.

It is time for you to be truly loved again.

We will announce our engagement tomorrow

and you will see how happy I can make you.

Why must you try to trap me? (Cutlery clatters)

When have I ever suggested to you...

I only want to love you.

But you will not let me.

You push me away.

(Whispers) Why?

You make me love you but you taunt me with it! Why?

It hurts me

more than...

I can bear!

Oh, god!

I cannot breathe!

Please, help me!

(Gasps) Please!

Loosen my dress, please!

No.

(Whispers) Yes!

It's all right.

(Dudley speaking indistinctly)

- Yes, mr Dudley, right away. - Yes.

Excuse me, mr Dudley, sir. Can I have a word with you?

Is everything all right with you, Denise?

Mr Dudley, sir.

Please don't do anything that you might regret.

Jonas: Denise.

You are to go to mr moray's office.

At once.

(Knocking on door)

Come in.

I thought we might review your probation, Denise.

You know there are a hundred girls out there that can take your place.

Come closer.

Do you like it here?

I do, sir.

Then you'd like to remain at your post?

It is a simple enough question, Denise.

I would, sir.

(Whispers) Your hair.

It should have the slightest imperfection in it.

Something...

Suggestive.

I heard you sold a dress to a rather difficult customer.

You made a good impression.

It seems you are quite the salesgirl.

Thank you, sir.

So we can say your probation is over,

and you're one of us now.

Thank you, mr moray, sir.

Is your display attracting customers?

Do you suppose I didn't see you hiding there?

I see everything.

(Chuckles)

It makes me smile to think of it.

What kind of a girl has such spirit?

You're not like the other girls. I think you know that.

I wonder if you realise the talents you have.

- (Knocking on door) - Yes?

If you have talent and wits, Denise,

you will do well here.

To truly belong, you need loyalty.

Absolute loyalty.

To the paradise and to me.

Thank you.

Tell me,

what have you been up to behind my back, Dudley?

All I have done is try to save you from yourself.

You've scared me, moray.

You seem drunk with greed.

Tell me what you've done.

I have arranged with our suppliers

to return the goods if we cannot pay for them.

These arrived this morning.

They won't let me have anything more unless I pay on delivery.

Word will soon spread. Others will follow.

I didn't mean for this to happen.

I only meant to prevent disaster.

At least if we can return the goods

then we won't be left with such terrible debts.

If we are to triumph, a man must hold his nerve!

You buckled!

And now your weakness has jeopardised everything!

Why can you not see how wild the risk is?

I see it.

And I choose to go on!

That is for me alone to decide.

I need a loan.

A substantial loan to expand.

Why is what we have not enough?

This city is littered with men who stood still.

If this sale is called off, all will be lost.

I cannot turn back now!

Lord glendenning will come here on Saturday.

I need him to see the paradise bursting with customers.

I'm sorry, moray.

What can we do?

Go back to your friends.

Tell them to bring their goods.

If I do not pay them,

they can have this store.

Moray.

You can't do such a thing.

I can.

Because I must.

Mr moray has informed me that I am to be kept on, ma'am.

I have passed my probation.

Is that so?

Well, never forget, girl, that this is my department

and I shall be watching you at all times,

so be sure that you meet my standards.

Straighten your hair, girl. Careless hair is a sin.

Girls, girls, we have work to do. We have a sale to prepare.

Step to it. Step to it!

(Knocking on door)

It took me all me nerve to come here.

I've been twice in the past week, but I was too scared to knock.

Clara, find yourself some kindly young man.

I'm not stupid. I won't ask you for nothing.

Get some sleep, Clara.

Isn't there some part of you, sir, can let me in?

One night, that's all.

Like it was.

No, Clara, there isn't.

Not any more.

Do you think you're precious? You are nothing!

He lay in my arms, do you hear me?

He told me things.

He lay in my arms sobbing and told me terrible things!

So, wouldn't it be something if I were to tell the whole city

how his wife died, hmm?

Wait until the store is filled with his beloved customers

then cry it out so they all hear it!

Clara, you wouldn't do such a thing.

Wouldn't I?

Lord glendenning: Can you guarantee they'll go on spending their money

on your perfumes and fripperies?

Moray: I want this to be our best day ever.

Lord glendenning: I know you've been turned away by every bank in town, moray.

Moray: This city is littered with men who stood still.

Dudley: Yes, we can grow. But why must it be done at such great risk?

Jonas: The point is, sir, he seems to doubt you.

(Indistinct conversation)

Clara, when I went to moray's office,

you were wrong to think that he likes me.

He was kind to me. That is all.

I've seen the way he looks at you.

You'll be out on the street, just like Lucille.

Worse, you need this work, Clara.

Girls! Girls, on a day like today,

it is a sin even to pause for breath.

Quickly, Denise, go and tell mr Dudley our hat stands are hatless.

Seems you were right, moray.

Who would have imagined that shopping for goods would have such an effect upon women?

Moray: This is only the beginning, sir.

I want to bring a thousand undreamed of temptations

into the paradise.

I promise you, sir, there will be no end to their appetite.

However, it will take more than one spectacular event

to convince my partners at the bank.

If I may, sir,

you were never going to convince them. The point is to convince you.

You see what is possible here.

I'm asking you to lend me the money.

Well, that's a bold appeal.

I ask it only because I know

your reputation is built on recognising what other people do not see,

and investing in it.

Will you be part of this?

Will you show your faith?

There is another matter, sir.

I wish to deal with this in your presence.

Katherine.

I cannot be engaged to be married to you. Not yet.

It would be fatal for business

at this sensitive time.

This enterprise relies on the charming of women.

Oh, dear moray.

You do love to exaggerate this romantic notion of yours

that women come here to be flattered by you.

Katherine, I must side with moray on this.

You know my feelings.

Haste is the enemy of love.

Take your time.

If I may, sir.

I regret what happened, Katherine.

- I cannot say how... - Regret?

No, I do not want your regret.

(Whispers) I...

I cannot marry, Katherine.

I cannot say when I will be ready.

If that makes you want to walk away from me then you must.

I'm not asking you to understand.

I'm asking you to believe me.

Why does your wife have such a hold on you?

When will you admit that she is dead?

Mr moray would like the money brought into the store.

All of it?

Why on earth does he want to do that?

(Indistinct conversation)

Moray.

You wish me to resign?

I never want that to happen, Dudley.

We've come so far together to get here.

I want you beside me,

to support me.

I want you to believe in the paradise, to believe in me.

Can you do that?

I always have.

I want to thank all of you.

What you achieved

means the paradise can grow,

that all of us will have work to come to, wages to live on.

But more than that,

what you conjured here, today, out of nothing,

was thrilling.

I promised you bonuses, and here they are.

Come and get them. You've earned every penny.

You are in love with him.

Pauline, I don't want to marry moray.

I want to be him.

(Indistinct conversation)