'Some call it a fever,
which robs the victim of rational thought,
'Some call it delirium,
'which fuddles the mind and curdles the blood,
'Some call it possession,
'which distorts reason and shatters sleep,
'Others call it,,, love,
'But call it what you will,
'for a Forsyte, it can be both a blessing and a curse,'
Shall we join the family for breakfast?
Let's spare ourselves, SHE GIGGLES
We'll have to face them sooner or later,
We should throw them a welcome dinner,
Show the bride what a civilised household looks like,
She'll get nothing useful from Emily or Winifred,
THEY CHUCKLE
- I wonder how Frances will take it, - DOG BARKS
A rival in the family?
No longer Queen Bee?
Well, she'll hardly be threatened by that slip of a girl,
'What a lovely thought,' WOMAN LAUGHS
She can't seriously believe she's in love with Soames?
- Does she need to be? - Madly,
Else why get married at all?
Phil and I will be inseparable,
We'll finish each other's sentences, think each other's thoughts,
How exhausting,
Well, I'm sad for you, Grandpa,
that you've never known great passion,
When did I say that?
We'll brave the family tonight for drinks,,,
,,but in the meantime,,,
you can settle in and,,, let Pargetter fetch whatever you need,
And where will you be?
At the office,
Persuading my father of our plans,
And while I'm gone,
why not make an inventory of everything you'd like to change?
Change?
My love,,, this is a bachelor's apartment,
As a new husband, I naturally bow to my wife's superior taste,
But if we're in Paris,,,
On the rare occasions we return,,,
I want everything to be just as you wish,
Till dinner,
- Last night, erm,,, - Yes?
I couldn't sleep for some reason,
Nor I,
How strange,
Yes,
I'll see you at dinner,
Ah, Wiggins,,,
I have an errand for you,
Good morning, Mr Forsyte,
Ceylon Gold up five and rising,
- As predicted, - Not by all,
I recall some advised caution, They'll be regretting it now,
Will they ever learn?
Ah, my boy,
I'm here to see Mrs Forsyte,
- Shall I announce you? - No need, I know my way,
Ah, Dear Irene,
Welcome to the madness,
This must all feel very daunting,
but I'm here to help you navigate,
- Well, that's very kind,,, - Tomorrow night,
- you'll join us for dinner? - Thank you,,,
And the day after, I'll take you into town,
introduce you to all our preferred establishments,
You'll want to open accounts, of course,
Shall we say ten?
Splendid,
Is there anything you require, ma'am?
Erm,,, your name?
Pargetter, ma'am,
- First name? - Constance,
Do your friends call you Connie?
They do,
May I call you Connie?
Oh, ma'am, that wouldn't be fitting,
I believe that's for me to decide,
Does Mr Soames have any other personal staff?
- He does, - I'd love to meet them, please,
Yes ma'am,
- This is Knowles, - Oh, first names?
Oh, er,,, Teddy, valet,
Betsy, parlour maid, Simeon, footman,
Betsy, Teddy, Simeon, Connie, I'm delighted to meet you,
I'm not sure how long Mr Soames and I will be staying,
but I hope we have the chance to become better acquainted,
Thank you,
Ma'am,,,
,,forgive me for saying,,,
The lady of the house shouldn't fraternise with servants?
It might confuse them,
- They don't expect to be,,, - Treated with respect?
Well, I expect it, Least I can do is return the compliment,
- Is that understood? - Perfectly, ma'am,
Telegram did the trick, I see,
No, I've actually returned earlier than planned to navigate
any potential upheavals caused by world events,
Such as,,,?
Famine in Africa, tornados in Bengal,
conflict in Suez,
Upheavals which could lead to turbulence in the markets,
Hmm, And Mrs Soames?
Is she aware of her duties?
As the wife of a prospective chairman,,,
,,she'll need to rise to the occasion,
And when the occasion arises,,, she will,
Now, if you'll excuse me, Pa,
Of course,
Just the person I wanted!
June, how are you?
Engaged!
To someone you actually like?
Not that dreary Earl Mama was grooming me for,
Pa came up trumps, said I could marry for love,
- Then he's a rare soul, - My absolute hero,
So, his name's Phil, he's an architect,
We're not allowed to marry till he gets his first commission, but,,,
I say, you don't fancy a house in the country?
If it's just outside Paris,
Speak to Phil, You'll love him,
He's like us, I mean, you and I,
As you'll soon realise, we are not typical Forsytes,
What is a typical Forsyte?
Brace yourself, you're about to discover,
- Are you going into town? Shall we go together? - Yes,
- I'll have one! - Just the man,
Thank you for agreeing to see me,
Last night, forgive me, I should never have come,
- But when I heard they were sick,,, - It's a weakness they have,
Holly especially, She's always been delicate,
But we manage,
I don't want you to "manage", I,,,
My stepdaughter, June, her whole life, she's been lavished
with all the luxuries money can buy,
So, why should they not have the same?
- Because they're not gentlefolk, - They're my children,
Don't say that,
I'm sorry,
Let me do something,
Pay for their education, medicine,
They need never know,
I'm their father,
I'd like to see them from time to time, if you'll let me,
I'll consider it,
- Quick word, Mr Forsyte? - Wait, Yeah,
Thank you, The other ledger, please,
- That's yours, - Thank you, sir,
There you are,
Morning, Mr Forsyte,
So, how was Paris?
Why do you ask? Rhetorically,
Obviously it was bliss,
All the more noble that he returned prematurely,
for the good of the firm,
Having kept his ear to the ground,
On his honeymoon?
Oh, got wind of impending turbulence in the markets,
- From where? - Point being that in times of instability,
there are gains to be made by those prepared to take calculated risks,
Shouldn't we apply a more of a cautious approach?
Until the long-term picture becomes clear?
Don't think he's suggesting that anyone should adopt the tactic,
Just those adept in risk management,
Over to you, my boy, Excuse me,
DOOR CLOSES
You went out after all?
To Covent Garden, for nectarines,
Pargetter would've fetched them,
Oh, I wanted the air, I hate being cooped up all day,
How was your father? Was he reassured?
Hmm,
My father,,,
Yes,
My father,
Appears robust,,,
but for years now, he's had issues with his heart,
Oh, I'm sorry, I had no idea,
And thinking further,,,
I'm realising we've been selfish,
And rather than risk aggravating his condition,
perhaps we should adjust our plans,
His health could fail at any moment,
So I think for the present,,,
we must remain here,
You mean,,, not to return to Paris?
But if I miss the chance to audition?
I'm sorry,
It's not what either of us wished,
But what can I do?
We should dress for cocktails,
My father will be there,
Please don't mention this conversation,
It will only embarrass him,
- I believe I'm a little nervous, - Oh, Mama,
I can't quite work her out,
She seems a sweet thing, but,,,
I can't help thinking she's a little outre?
Well, her wedding dress was hardly a la mode!
And according to her stepmother, she absolutely insisted on wearing it,
Well, one wonders if she'll want her own way in all sorts of matters?
I'm sure Soames will put a stop to that,
I'm not so sure,
- He seems besotted, - Can you blame him?
I can't bear the idea of her running rings around him,
Well, she's no business doing anything but love, honour and obey,
Oh, my dears,
Well,,,
here we are,
It's good to be home,
You're most welcome, my dear,
I checked with Mama, Only five courses for dinner,
Pity, I was hoping to sink enough to last me three days,
I could steal you some muffins from the kitchen,
Would you, please?
When do I get to meet your family?
Well, as you know, my mother is deceased,
and my father has very little time for me,
Oh, the brute!
"House-building", is not, to his mind, a "reputable profession",
Dear Phil, I am now mulling a small pagoda for the garden,
I advise against, Have you considered a Tibetan arch?
I could've sworn that Soames said they'd be gone a month,
Oh, perhaps he got bored of her,
Or she of him? Personally, I wouldn't last five minutes,
Well, no doubt you can ply her with questions at dinner tomorrow,
Oh, I already have, We walked into town together,
Oh,
She's too good for Soames, of course, but you'll adore her,
You too, Papa,
Papa?
I'm sorry? What?
Irene? You'll get on like a house on fire,
CHUCKLING
In fact, I think she might prefer you to Soames!
Who wouldn't?
Well, my dear, we're a long way from gay Paree,
but none the worse for that,
And we must throw a ball in your honour,
Though I should warn you, James is a fiend for the polka,
What?!
Isn't that rather boisterous?
Well,,, Well, no, er, not for an athlete like myself,
Well, I think it's time for us to retire,
Early start tomorrow, Standards to set, etc,
Indeed,
Yes, now that Soames is stepping up, we're relying on you to do the same,
You are a Forsyte now, my dear,
Standards are high,,, but so are the rewards,
Good night to you all,
Irene seemed a little,,, subdued,
If you'd let me near her,,, I would have livened her up a bit,
She asked me how I was,
How the devil should I be? Fit as a fiddle, I told her,
Perhaps she was tired, The journey from Paris,
In a First Class carriage with Soames pandering to her every whim?
Oh, I really hope she won't make life difficult for him,
I think she already has,
Your father seemed very spirited,
He puts on a good show,
So as not to alarm my mother,
Open it,
It's beautiful,
I thought you could wear it close to your heart,
I very much regret our change of plans,
Perhaps,,, in a year or so,
we might,,, reconsider,
By then, my chance to join the Ballet will have passed,
And that grieves me,
All we can do is take solace in each other,
I believe we'll find much to enjoy
if we dwell on our many blessings,,,
instead of what we've lost,
- June, - You know, I saw you,
In Soho, watching the jugglers,
With them,
- I'm sorry, that must have been,,, - Upsetting?
- SHE SIGHS - No more than for you,
Having to cut ties with your own children,
How can you bear it?
When I married your mother,,,
I swore there'd be no difference in my love for you
or any other children she and I might have,
And sadly, there have been no other children,
For me, they do exist,
And my love for you has only made it clear,,,
what I owe to them,
And I met with their mother,
In addition to a settlement, when they reach their majority, I've,,,
committed to educate and provide for them now,
And I intend to tell your mother this evening,
So say nothing to her before then?
I don't expect her to take it well,
Nor you,
- What? - What am I?
- A child? - Well, I,,,
I met her, I liked her,
And,,,
I do know that difficult decisions have to be made,
Such as you made,,,
letting me and Phil get engaged,
You're not a bad person,
Till this evening?
DOOR OPENS
DOOR CLOSES
Hm,
- What would you like? - Can I have a bun, Mama?
Look, it's Jo!
- Hello, - Hello,
INAUDIBLE
Do you have any children?
A stepdaughter, very bright, very clever,
- Our father was handsome, - And clever,
- And fun, - And a very great artist,
Well, if you have such a gift, you should use it,
Especially if that gift is an expression of who you are,
- Or used to be, - And could be again,
Er, children, I think we must be going,
Say goodbye,
Goodbye,
Yes,
- No, wait, - Ma'am?
Yes,
- Make the arrangements, - Yes, Madam,
DOOR CLOSES
CLERKS CHATTER INTENSELY
Get me that ledger,
I want it right away!
What's happening?
Telegram from Ceylon,
Explosion at the mine, 200 dead, hundreds more injured,
Sir Jimmy Buckland's dead,
The locals are turning on management,
- And the share price, - I can imagine,
It's a disaster,
CLAMOUR IN DISTANCE
MARKET TRADERS SHOUT
Lovely marshmallows, bon-bons, sweets for sale,
Can I just get one bag of marshmallows, please?
Oh, of course, my dear,
BELL RINGS, DOOR CLOSES
- Miss Forsyte, - Miss Louisa,
Erm,,,
I was buying marshmallows, and I thought,
"Why don't I bring some for the children?
- That's kind, - May I?
Now, take them upstairs,
- Oh, must they go? - Please,
CHILDREN CHUCKLE
- They're adorable, - Yes,
Do you have any siblings?
Er, four sisters, two brothers,
Oh, whereas I'm an only child,
Or,,, so I thought,
Was there anything else?
What?
Oh, Oh, erm,,,
Yes, I,,, I'd like to be fitted for a new gown,
I'll fetch my measuring tape,
This came while you were out,
Oh, my God,
LOUISA STAMMERS
Hannah, I,,,
I don't understand, How,,, How could this happen?
Eviction?
- How on Earth,,,? - I've no idea,
- Could it be a mistake? - It must be, surely,
Something amiss? Can I help?
No, thank you, You're very kind, but,,,
Is there someone who could advise you?
Someone else who could help?
Absolutely not,
And I beg that you don't mention this,,,
,,to any one,
CLAMOUR IN DISTANCE
CLAMOUR INTENSIFIES
Lest there be any doubt,,,
CLERKS HUSH
,,collective panic can only inflame the situation,
Ceylon Gold has suffered a set-back,
Some of our clients, those who invested large sums,
will be feeling the pinch,
The "pinch"?
But at the end of the day, the choice to invest
- lies solely with them, - Damn right,
Everyone knows there are no guaranteed returns,
- And the contract they sign,,, - Informs them of that, yes,
but which of them bothers to read it?
And whose fault is that?
Ours, for not emphasising the risks?
Theirs, for having their eye on the bigger prize,
I, for one, do not accept that the responsibility is solely ours!
And why does that not surprise me?
In case you were wondering, that is what leadership looks like,
A cool head in a crisis,
- A crisis of our own making, - Oh, how could we have known?
The scope of it,
We couldn't,
We gambled,
We lost,
Ow!
Mama, let me help,
What are you doing? I can manage!
Mama, what is it?
What is it?
Your father has resumed relations with that woman,
I blame her,
He is weak, but she has entrapped him,
- Surely not? - And if he can't be trusted
to keep his distance, then the only solution is,,,
,,for her to be put out of his reach,
For good,
- Could it be her doing? - Of course it's her doing,
I should never have agreed to see him again,
You must write to him, tell him,
I don't want anything more to do with any of them,
- We'll simply pack up and go, - But where?
How will we live?
How will our clients know where to find us?
We'll manage,
Good evening,
SHE MUMBLES
Did you have a pleasant day?
I went into town and met with Madame Lanner,
- May I ask why? - To engage her for lessons,
I see,
And is such a hobby really compatible
with your role as my wife?
I don't regard it as a hobby,
Go ahead, say it - your old man got it wrong,
- I wasn't going to say anything,,, - No, no, no,
Let me have the grace to admit my mistakes,
I didn't trust your instincts, thought I knew best,
Lesson learned,
Perhaps I'm not the expert after all,
'Nothing to do with me,'
I claim no expertise, I simply follow advice,
And it's really quite shocking,
Poor Monty was escorted from his club,
Frogmarched out, like a criminal, simply because several members,
clients of mine, came a cropper with Ceylon Gold,
And Dizzy Carswell,
Threatened to thrash me!
And how is it your fault he lost half his estate?
Well, he can thank his stars he wasn't Harry Falconer,
Harry Falconer?
Of Cavendish Square?
Not for much longer!
Poor devil's lost his entire fortune,
GENTLE CHATTER, LAUGHTER
Oh, here you are,
We were just wondering, are you one of those wives
who takes an interest in her husband's profession?
I could be, But at present, I know little of it,
I believe it essential for a man to keep his professional life separate,
Why should a wife be plagued with his trials and tribulations?
Mm,
Because husbands and wives should have no secrets from each other,
But then where would the mystery be?
Isn't that what keeps both parties on their toes?
LAUGHTER
Can we speak?
Not that I am suggesting anything untoward,,,
CHATTER CONTINUES IN DISTANCE
What is it? Tell me,
SHE EXHALES
Whatever I tell you, no-one can know it came from me,
Madame has asked to see you now, please, sir,
Summoned for an audience with the mater,
What's this about?
HE SIGHS
Something I said? THEY LAUGH
Harry Falconer,,,
,,of Cavendish Square?
Yes?
Do you plan to cover his losses?
Why on Earth would we do that?
I believe it's what your father would have wished,
Well, with all due respect to the pater's memory, I,,,
You owe him this,
Have you forgotten how he salvaged your reputations
and set you back on course after you'd been caught floundering?
"Floundering"?
If you mean our brief attachment to a certain lady,
Alexandra Shepherd - I do,
So,,, what are you saying?
That if you know what's best for all concerned,,,
,,you will do right by Harry Falconer,
Well, if she couldn't pay the rent, why not tell me?
I don't think that's the reason,
I think someone wants to be rid of her,
Someone wants her premises?
Someone who wants her removed from their life,
From their husband's life,
Your mother wouldn't do that,
Please don't be too harsh with her,
- Will you speak to her tonight? - No,
There's something I have to do first,
Well, are you ready to visit the promised land?
Liberty's, my dear, it's the only place to shop,
Morning, Jos,
Would you fetch your mama and sister for me?
We're going on a little drive,
- THEY GASP - Come on,
Big step now,
CHILDREN LAUGH
Would you join me?
Please?
- Can we, Mama,,? - Mama, please,
Oh, we spent so much,
True, but you'll soon come to realise you deserve it,
My dear, your life is no longer your own,
As a Forsyte woman, you're expected to shine,
to be a perfect hostess, to forge useful connections,
to profess no controversial opinions,
to pursue no scandalous habits,
Am I permitted a mind of my own?
Of course,
But be aware the men like to think everything is their idea,
and it's so much easier to let them,
Why have we stopped here?
Oh, thank you,
Thank you,
Shall we go in?
The door's unlocked, Go inside and have a look round,
Why are we here?
- Who lives here? - JOS LAUGHS
- Do you like it? - I love it!
What is this place?
Your home?
- I brought these from Fortnum's, - What a kind thought,
I didn't know what to get for the gentlemen,
Sweet things can be bad for the constitution,
Oh, don't worry about Monty, He's got the digestion of a hog,
Oh, but James, is he not a little,,, delicate?
EMILY MUMBLES
Oh, good lord, no, Tough as old boots,
Not a day's sickness in his life,
EMILY & WINIFRED MURMUR HAPPILY
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
A brandy?
Are you aware,,,
,,that my children and their mother have been served
with a notice of eviction?
How would I know that?
How would you know that?
- Are you still seeing her? - I have seen her, yes,
- I intended to tell you,,, - Why are you seeing her?
To inform her that her children
will hence forth receive ongoing financial support,,,
,,for their living and educational needs,
I see,
And I'll occasionally visit,
Despite your assurance to me?
I have reconsidered,
I realise I owe it to them,
SHE SCOFFS SOFTLY
To her,
This is all about her and what she's managed to extract from you,
There has been no extraction, Quite the reverse,
You've broken your promise,,,
,,to me and to June,
- You've continued your affair, - There is no affair,
Oh, you're not even being honest with yourself!
Are you honest?
Are you being honest right now?
SHE EXHALES SHARPLY
- How dare you suggest,,, - I DO suggest,
I suggest you know very well Louisa's been evicted
because you are responsible!
Oh, that's outrageous,
And if honesty is really what you want, then I will tell you,
I am appalled that you would go to such lengths to destroy the lives
of two innocent children who are also blameless,
But you are not blameless,
You have gone behind my back, again and again and again,
And to claim there is no affair?
- I cannot believe it, - You won't believe it,
Then make me believe it,
Remove her from our lives,,,
,,from London,,,
,,preferably abroad,
so you are never again tempted to see her or her children
for the rest of their lives,
Do not require this of me, Frances,
I do require it,
Then I'm sorry,
DOOR OPENS
DOOR SLAMS, SHE EXHALES
DOOR CLOSES
- How was your trip with Frances? - Illuminating,
I discovered how ill-equipped I am to be a Forsyte wife,
HE CHUCKLES
Well, Frances will teach you all there is to know,
She's already taught me a great deal,
Was it that day in the cafe with my friends?
Is that when you changed your mind?
I'm sorry, what?
Or was it at the ballet?
You were so quiet afterwards, Did something alarm you?
I'm tired, I've had a taxing day,
And was there really a telegram from your father?
I told you there was,
Does he actually have an issue with his heart?
Why should you doubt,,,?
Because your mother assures me he's never been ill in his life,
Do you recollect when we met?
You were grieving,
Practically destitute,
Now you have luxury, security,
the chance to make your mark on London society,
And what if that isn't what I want?
Well, then, I suggest you learn to want it,
And count your blessings - you are my wife,,,
,,and our life together can be exceedingly pleasant,
Or it can be difficult,
But the difficulty will be of your own making, not mine,
DOOR SLAMS
SHE INHALES DEEPLY, EXHALES
CHATTER IN DISTANCE, LAUGHTER
JUNE LAUGHS
Irene? Irene, don't go! Come and meet Phil,
Irene, this is my fiance, Phil,
Phil, this is darling Irene,
- Delighted to meet you, - The pleasure's all mine,
I know you two are going to adore each other,
- We are? - I absolutely insist,
THEY CHUCKLE
Booted you out, has she?
Marriage going well, is it?
The boy's not thinking straight,
Why else would he take such a stance
about two children he's barely met?
His own children,
Yes,
There is a pull,
But it must be resisted,
Everything dear to him resides here,
Trust me,,,
,,he'll return,
You really have no idea, do you?
I admit it, I don't,
Any chance of a bed for the night?
WHIP CRACKS
Well, that's the lot - ten years of it,
- Sad, - I think it's for the best,
I do too,
HANNAH CHUCKLES
Well, goodbye,
Yes, goodbye, WHIP CRACKS