Don't be offended, but lately we've been on my mind. And one day we might wake and find a hopeless situation. No hurt intended, but I have to make a move before we find we're running out of more than time and conversation. Mind the bend, Darling. I've driven you to the station everyday, for the last fifteen years. You don't have to tell me. Careful, there is another one coming up. Darling! I know this road like the back of my hand. Caroline, keep your eyes on the road. Good Lord! What? I don't believe it. What? It's unbelievable. What is? You are so irritating this morning. There's been a big shake up at Belmont. Tony Lloyd has been made MD. Do you know him? Tony Lloyd previously spent three years at Ginsberg Publishing, where he worked under Sales and Marketing Director, Donald Fairchild. He was my Home Sales Director. I told him he was out of his mind to leave Ginsberg for Belmont, because he was in line for my job. Now he's a Managing Director and I'm still there. It's not your fault, Darling. You know, Herman Ginsburg should have stepped down years ago. I know, you know, Herman knows. He said he'd retire when he was sixty five. Well, he can't go on for ever, can he? He's seventy four next week. I must be mad to have stayed with Herman. Tony Lloyd, MD of Belmont. You just hang in there, Darling. It's only a matter of time. I know, I've got another fifteen years before I retire. Here we are. Ohhh, roll on Friday. Darling, its only Monday. Oh, don't forget. We've promised to take Jonathon to lunch today, before he gets his train for Oxford. Are you sure you've kept it free? Don't worry, it's in the diary. It's not everyday a member of our family goes to University. I'm looking forward to it. So is Jonathon. So am I. It's yonks since you took me out to lunch during the week. I know. Herman is so mean these days it's hard enough to claim the genuine business lunches. Ah, Donald. I've been thinking. I thought I might look for a job. I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands. Well you've still got me to look after. Yes of course, but I thought I'd like something more, challenging. More fulfilling. I've spent the last twenty odd years looking after you and the children. I want a job. But, that is your job. I want something more, Donald. I want to go back to work. Well, a good idea. What about that new flower shop in Amersham? They're always looking for part time staff. No, that's not quite what I had in mind. Why not? You're a jolly good flower arranger. I bet you could get a job there. Donald! I want to pick up my career. I want to go back into publishing. Darling, you are quaint. I must go or I'll miss it. Don't forget to pick up my suit from the cleaners. Oh and some shaving cream. Lather. You got foam last time. Donald! Donald, may I remind you. I had a very successful career in publishing before I bore your children. Our children. And it was a promising career. Alright. Promising. I was earning more than you. And it would have been successful if you hadn't got me pregnant every two minutes. Caroline, I have to travel with these people. Well, just you remember Donald Fairchild, that I'm the one who had to give up my career. I'm the one who had to compromise. I'm the one who had to deal with all the dirty nappies. And I'm the one who wants to pick up my career. You haven't done any dirty nappies for years. I'm talking metaphorically. What was the alternative? That I should have given up my career? Well, I was a good editor. I found the Dartington Trilogy. Which still sells very nicely, thank you very much. So don't patronise me. Darling, I wasn't patronising you. Yes, you were. You called me quaint. Nobody likes being called quaint. It's patronising. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It was wrong. Naive, would have been a better word. Ugh! What? You are being naive, if you think you can go back into publishing, just like that. You've had no contact for over twenty years. I shouldn't think you'd even get as far as an interview. Really? No. These days, they want young people. Not middle aged Mums. Why do you think I'm having such a struggle at Ginsberg? Why do you think we haven't had a title in the best seller list for five years? Because, I've got a geriatric chairman, who won't spend any money. And a puritanical editorial director, who won't allow so much as a bare bosom on a cover. And a patronising and pompous Sales and Marketing Director, who is a male chauvinist pig. Morning. Post. Ginsberg Publishers. I'll see if Mr Ginsberg is free. I should have been consulted. My sales force are going to have a hell of a job selling a book with this cover. I don' know how you can say that, Donald. That is a beautiful still life, by Van Gogh. it's beautiful, but it's a waste of money. It won't help Gordon Campion's book. Ya? Beatrice, ask him to call me later. I'm in a meeting with Mr Fairchild and Mr McCormack. The book is about an artist. I think its a most apposite cover. It's about a randy young art student. It's a very funny book. Herman. No thank you, Herman. Look. With the right marketing. I can get 'Pasture's New' into the best seller list. I've already done a marvellous deal with Smiths'. Donald. What have you got in mind? Well. A naked girl, for start. Oh! I know Alistair. I know. But, a pair of boobs can sell an extra two hundred thousand copies. No! No no. I've always been a responsible editor. I'm not going to demean myself or Ginsberg. How about in profile? One boob. And settle for an extra hundred thousand. I'm sorry Herman. I have no wish to appear Puritanical. But, I refuse to be associated with anything lewd. Herman, he's got to go. We've gotta get someone young. Who can help me change our image and get this Publishing House into the 80s. Hopefully, before we're into the 90s. Don't worry Donald. You'll give yourself a coronary. Gawd, when I think I got you, Jeffery Archer. And you rejected him. Archer. Smarcher. We're not doing too badly. Herman, we can't survive on our list of dead authors, forever. The Ginsberg Dickens. The Ginsberg Shakespeare. Herman Ginsberg's complete works of Lewis Caroll. I might as well be doing the marketing for a firm of undertakers. Donald. You know my philosophy. A good author is a dead author. Especially, if he's been dead fifty years and I don't have to pay him royalties. Herman. Don't worry Donald. Alastair is leaving. Alright? Listen. I'm seventy four next week. You know that. Yes. Of course. Well, tomorrow morning I'm going to make a big announcement. Herman. Are you announcing your retirement? I don't want to say anymore now. Alright? No. Certainly. Ha! Right. Donald. I've been looking at some of your expenses lately. Two bottles of Jouet Champagne, ah? for lunch last Wednesday. I was negotiating for a big Autumn wine book. What were we supposed to drink? Half a bottle of the house plonk? And did you get the wine book? No. Then the answer is yes. Right. Good morning. Can I help you? Yes. I've got an interview with Peter Stuart. And your name is? Miss Caroline Fielding. Right. Well, if you'd like to take a seat over there. I'll phone and let Mr Stuart know that you're here. Thankyou. Hello, yes. I've got a Miss... Fielding. A Miss Fielding, in reception for Peter. Yep, okay. Mr Stuart isn't in his office at the moment. But his secretary will phone down when he's back. Well, thank you. I'll wait. Nicky, can you get a courier to whiz this over to Heathrow? I'd like it in New York, by tomorrow morning. Right. Caroline? Caroline Fielding! Anthea. Anthea Duxbury. Good Lord! It must be over fifteen years. More like twenty. You look marvellous. So do you. Well what on earth are you doing here? Oh, I've got an interview with a Mr Stuart. Peter Stuart? My God, we need someone like you here. One just can't find anyone with experience these days. Really? Oh, you've no idea. All we get are graduates. Hot out of Redwicks'. Stepped in Malcom Bradbury and David Lodge. But, they haven't the faintest idea what's commercial in the marketplace. Really? They've no horse sense. Couldn't spot a Harold Robbins if they slept with it. Really? But what about you Caroline? What have you been up to? This and that. Freelancing, mostly. Oh, Peter. How clever of you to find Caroline Fielding. Peter Stuart. Oh how do you do? Do you two know each other? I used to be her secretary. Don't ask me how many years ago. Caroline was responsible for Dartington Trilogy. Really? My God, we need someone like you here. All we get are graduates steeped in Malcolm Bradbury and David Lodge. Yes, I know. Would you like to come and meet some of our people? Yes, is Mr Frankland in? When could you start? Are you free for lunch? The royalties from the Dartington Trilogy are still rolling in. Especially from the States. Yes, especially from the States. Really? So, he's retiring at last? I'll be in control. I'm really gonna turn that company around. Bring in some new blood. I'm so pleased for you Dad. You deserve it. Thanks. I can't think where you're Mother has got to. I'm dying to tell her the news. Well as I told you. When I got up there was a note saying she'd see us here. I think you might have had your haircut, Jonathon. If you're fortunate enough to get a place at Oxford, the least you can do is arrive with hair at a reasonable length. I don't think the place was conditional on the length of my hair. Excuse me, Senor Fairchild. Yes? A message from Mrs Fairchild. She is unavoidably delayed. She will see you at Paddington Station. Oh, thank you Ramana. Oh. Well. You can just see his handkerchief, third from the end. I'm sorry, Darling. Where the hell have you been? You missed lunch. Your youngest child leaves home and you weren't there to see him off. Our youngest child. And you were there. Oh, Donald. Don't be so dramatic. We're going to see him at the weekend. Well, where on earth have you been? I've got some very exciting news I'd wanted to tell you over lunch. Now you've spoiled it. And I've got some exciting news to tell you. I went for an interview for a job, and the most amazing thing happened. They want me to start tomorrow. I think the Flowerpot in Amersham could have waited. Don't you feel it's more important to be here, to see your son off? As it happens, it's something rather better than that. Oh, well nevermind I want to tell you my good news. Hermann's announcing his retirement tomorrow. Don't you want to know what it is? What? My job. The one I went for this morning. Don't you want to know what it is? O yes. Alright. What is it? I'm on the hardware counter at Woolies. I wish you every success, Donald. Thankyou Alastair. I'm sure we are going to do great things together. Yes. Right. Ah, can I have your attention please? Quiet, please. Thankyou. Now kinder, some of you may know why I've called you here this morning. And some of you maybe not. But knowing how well secrets are kept at Ginsberg Publishing, I'm sure you all know. I founded this Publishing House when I bought this building in 1939. It has been my life. But, as one or two of you may know. Next week I celebrate my seventy fourth birthday. Thankyou. Thankyou. But, we best not be premature. I ain't got there yet. But it does not take mathematical genius to work out that I have been selling and publishing books for more than forty five years. That's a lot of books and a lot of years. And I have to admit that these days I sometimes get a bit tired. In other words there comes a time to step down. To pass the business over. That time has come. I do not feel unhappy. Because I know that Ginsberg Publishing is going to be in safe hands. It is going to be taken over by a man, who will bring the company into the 80s. Hopefully before we are in the 90s. A dynamic man. For whom, I am proud to step down. I am delighted to introduce to you, The President of Oasis Publishing. Edgar Frankland, the third. Thankyou Herman. Thankyou. And may I say how delighted I am to have this opportunity of meeting you all. And in due course, I will be meeting each and every one of you individually, to explain the various ramifications of this take over bid. And what it will mean to you financially. I don't know how you can be so callous. You gave no indication that we were subject to a take over bid. Donald, I told you yesterday I was going to make a big announcement. Yes. To tell us you were retiring. I am retiring. I know Herman. What about me? Am I supposed to retire? Or shall we use the real phrase? Be made redundant. Mr Fairchild. Donald. No one's been made redundant. At least not at board level. Especially not you. I want you at Oasis. I beg your pardon? I need you. I'm over here merely to cover this transition period. We're gonna need someone to succeed me. And I think you could be that someone. But. Herman's told me all about you. And one of the two main conditions of this take over. Is that you join us at Oasis, with the usual stock options. Ah. Well, I hope you'll at least consider it. Yes, sure, I... I'll consider it. What was the other main condition? That I got three million for the property. Well, that's the reception. We change our display periodically. Mostly it's our titles from the Bestseller Lists. Of which I am delighted to say, there are many. Number one, 'Sixteen Weeks'. Nicky is responsible for the display. Nicky, this is Mr Fairchild, who will be joining our Senior Executive. Hello. Good Afternoon, Mr Fairchild. Don, come on through and let me introduce you to some of the key personnel who will be working under you. Thankyou. ha ha ha (with mouth closed). Very impressive, Edgar. I knew you'd like it. Ah. Peter. Meet our new Sales and Marketing Director. Donald Fairchild, who comes to us from Ginsberg Publishing. Peter Stuart, Personnel. Delighted you are joining us. We need someone like you here. Thankyou. And Anthea Duxbury, your Export Sales Director. How do you do? Mr Fairchild. I'm so glad you're joining us. So am I. And someone you are going to be working very closely with. Your Editorial Director... See you later. Caroline Fielding. Miss Fielding only joined us yesterday. How do you do? Mr Um? Fairchild. Donald Fairchild. We are damn lucky to have her. Do you know Fielding is responsible for one of our big sellers in the States. The Dartington Trilogy. Is that so? Yes. Well, I'm sure you two are going to get along famously. Yeah, I'm sure we shall. Don't be offended, that lately we've been on my mind. And one day we might wake and find a hopeless situation. Nothing has ended. I'll still be here or here abouts. And you won't suffer any doubts or lack communication. All the ? are forever All the best that is yet to come. Merely suspended. So you'll remember why we fell in love.