Executive Stress - Series 1 - Episode 1 ( Stars Penelope Keith & Geoffrey Palmer ) Mon, Oct 20 1986

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 (Jouet champagne?)

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.

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.

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 Mr Stuart.

Peter Stuart?

My God,

we need someone like you here.

One just can't find

anyone with experience these days.

Really?

Ah, 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 one like you here.

What 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 Franklin 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 meet us here.

I think you might have

had your haircut, Jonathon.

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?

Message from Mrs Fairchild.

She is unavoidably delayed.

She will see you at

Paddington Station.

Oh, thank you Ramana.