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 were running out of more
than time and conversation.
Mind the bend, Darling.
I've driven you to the station
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
the 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 for 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 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.
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 a pompous
Marketing Director,
who is a male chauvinist pig.
Morning. Post.
Ginsberg Publishing.
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 you 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.
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
one hundred thousand.
I'm sorry Herman.
I don't 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 change our image
and get this publishing company
into the 80s.
Hopefully, before
we're into the 90s.
Don't worry Donald.
You'll give yourself
a coronary.
Gawd, when 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.
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 Joulet chambagne
for lunch
last Wednesday.