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

Don't be,
offended.

That 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's
another one coming up.

Oh 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's 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.

(car acceleration)

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!

(door slam)

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.

(car wheels screech)

(postman whistling)

Morning. Post.

(whistling)

(phone exchange buzzes)

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.

Oh, you've no idea.

Really?

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?

I'm so glad

Mr Fairchild.

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.