Episode 2 Great Expectations

Do you not want it?

Varmint nonpareil, as they say.

Bound for the end of the world now.

Perhaps you, like Estella, will be extraordinary.

-Why would

-I

-want to be friends with YOU?

Thought you might be lonely.

Missus!

Do you not think, Pip, that Estella is beautiful?

Pip has a fortune.

The owner of this handsome property also desires

that Mr Pirrip immediately go to London,

where he is to live as a young fellow of great expectations.

London and Inns of Court!

-Thank you.

-Sir.

Where's Mr Jaggers' office?

I'm first. I'm first! I've been waiting longer than anyone!

-I'm first!

-Amelia, I have told you, over and over,

I know enough of your husband to keep him from the drop.

I do not want to know the truth, the law does not require it!

And you, sir, must pay Wemmick the full cost,

only then can we discuss the mitigation of your circumstances.

I can pay you double!

If you'll be for my brother, I can pay you double!

It is too late.

I am already on the other side of the floor.

You are against him?

Follow.

-Have mercy!

-Mr Jaggers!

-Mr Jaggers!

CROWD CLAMOURS

Follow.

So the young gentleman of expectations arrives in London.

Every Friday, you and other young men of means

for whose families I perform the function of guardian,

will come here to receive your allowance for that week.

Are you listening?

Yes, Mr Jaggers.

This will continue until you come of age

and receive your fortune,

which you may carefully preserve for posterity

or squander inside a calendar month.

At that point, you may do as you will,

because you are no longer under my charge.

Until then, you do...

as I say.

What's for lunch?

A kidney pie, Mr Jaggers. The gravy is most fragrant.

Rooms have been arranged for you at Barnard's Inn,

where you are to share with young Mr Pocket.

Herbert Pocket?

Mr Pocket has been engaged to help habituate you to your new life.

This can't be right.

Herbert's related to Miss Havisham and she's...

The proviso, Pip.

You do not discuss or speculate as to the identity

of your benefactor until they themselves reveal their identity

at your majority or very soon after.

I know but...

But nothing!

Young Mr Pocket has been cut off from his family.

He is Mr Wemmick's suggestion. If it proves unsatisfactory,

we will endeavour to find someone more suitable.

Mr Wemmick will give you the first instalment of your allowance.

Be prudent with it. Do NOT fall into debt.

HE GARGLES

Questions?

I wondered if Miss Havisham had told you

when Estella might be comin' to London?

And why would I be furnished

with the details of that young lady's itinerary?

-I just thought that...

-Do not think, Pip.

It never leads to anywhere edifying.

Back to the Bailey!

DOOR CLOSES

What's that head, Mr Wemmick?

One lost to the drop.

The cast taken when he was fresh down.

Why does Mr Jaggers keep it?

It was the man's request.

He ended up in the common pit.

No marker, no stone to say he'd ever existed.

And he was one of the best at his trade until the law did for him.

He wanted to be remembered. Jaggers honoured his final wish.

-It's horrible.

-It is his sentinel.

Memento mori.

Sign here, please.

Mike?

Show Mr Pip the way to Barnard's Inn and introduce him to the watchman.

It's not Mr Pip, it's just Pip.

It's in the proviso.

Just Pip.

Just Pip.

New one for you.

Put your hand in your pocket and give the man some money.

Number two, sir.

-STREET VENDOR:

-Hot and fresh! Fresh today!

Hot and fresh!

I guessed it was you!

And once Mr Jaggers had said where you were from

and that there was a connection to Satis House, I was certain.

You do remember me, don't you?

I hit you.

Yes. Rather hard, if I recall.

I'd like to apologise for my contemptible behaviour that day.

Something about that house brings out the worst in people.

I more than asked to receive a bloody nose.

I assure you I am a much changed man,

though I understand if you're not comfortable.

It's just...you knew me before.

And...I don't want before to follow me here.

I don't want before to follow me, either.

Let's start again.

Every gentleman belongs to a club and Finches is one of the best.

I keep expecting to be turned away.

You have every right to be here.

They're grateful you've set foot on their carpet.

Sorry.

Mr Jaggers said you'd been cut off? Why?

I met a girl.

Clara.

And when my family found out that her family was of no significance,

they forbade any further association.

So I defied their judgment and am, in consequence, quite cut off.

Not a penny. So, now, I look about me.

-You look about you?

-For employment.

To support Clara and the many children we will have

when I can afford for us to marry.

In the interim, Mr Wemmick is kind enough to suggest ways in which I can make myself useful.

Your wine, sir.

Thank you.

Herbert, you ain't... haven't asked how I came by my good fortune.

Well, I gather there are legal conditions.

One cannot help but draw conclusions...

You must have made a very great impression at Satis House.

You don't mind?

Pip, the last person I'd like to have influence over my life is Miss Havisham.

-But if it's what you want.

-It is.

Then I'm very happy for you.

Put this hand on, um, on my waist.

No, lightly, Pip. No gripping, no grasping.

And you take the other hand, like so...

Gently! Pip, this is not a knuckle-crushing competition.

And...

One, two, three.

One, two, three. One...

One... Foot! ..two, three.

My foot again! ..two, three.

One, two, three. Elbow, two, three.

Ow! Two, three.

Backwards...and forwards.

And then you raise your left hand gracefully, like this.

Left foot, and right foot.

And twir... Whoa!

Maybe not quite so hard.

Twirl me.

That was not bad at all!

THEY LAUGH

Take one to Mr Denby with my compliments.

Of course, sir.

-I want to be invited to one of his card games.

-This is very expensive, Pip.

It's a crucial part of my education. We'll be more sober next week.

You said that last week!

I'm supposed to be looking about me, I'm so terribly drunk.

Try harder with your drunkenness and you won't be so terrible at it.

You're not allowed in here. This is a gentleman's club.

You're alive, then.

Us was wondering.

-Sir...

-You've no call to lay 'ands on me. Tell 'em, Pip.

There's no problem here, thank you.

Herbert Pocket.

Would you like to sit down, Mr...?

Gargery.

You take some seeking out.

First off, went to that Jaggers.

They told me where you was livin', went there, you weren't in,

went back and they told me you might be here.

I been all over the place but found you at last.

Lucky the marshes breeds us determined, eh?

Nothing to say to me, Pip?

Let's go.

DOOR SLAMS

Stop running now, can we?

I wasn't running.

You'll want coffee. I'll send for some coffee.

Don't care about no coffee.

I want to see you.

You look...different.

It's just a suit.

You talk different.

Not a word, Pip.

Not one word to say you're safe, you're well.

I've been very busy. I haven't noticed the time going by.

Well, it has gone by.

Months have passed.

And you is missed.

Forge is empty, house is empty without you.

I'm sorry, but as you can see, I'm quite well.

Missus lives to hear from you.

Lives for it.

What else has she got but starin' at the wall every day?

-Write to her.

-And who would read it?

Pumblechook could read it to her and to me both.

He merely wants to brag about how he gave me my first opportunity.

He's a idiot, let him brag, doesn't do you any hurt.

Does it not?

I will write when I am less busy.

You're shamed.

Shamed of home, shamed of where you come from.

Shamed of me.

Ain't even looked at me proper.

In the eye.

Like a man.

Joe, you don't understand.

I understand.

You're here, too.

I thought it was just going to be myself and Mr Jaggers.

Oh, no, it is. I'm just waiting...

Here she is!

SHE CHUCKLES

Pip, this is my fiancee, Clara. Clara, this is Pip.

I'm very pleased to meet you at last.

We're going to Mr Wemmick's in Walworth for our chess night.

He has me in check, but I'm hoping Clara can get me out of it.

Chess nights with Mr Wemmick? I didn't know you had chess nights.

To Walworth!

There are sausages for supper and rhubarb pie with rhubarb from my own garden

and then, Herbert, I shall take your king in three moves.

Ah, we shall see about that, Mr Wemmick.

I sense a humiliating defeat.

THEY LAUGH

Pip, Mr Jaggers is waiting for you.

Mike! Mind the shop.

-Come on, you two!

-I won't be late.

I have some delicious hedgerow wine, Herbert.

If you can keep clear head after THAT...

Still no sign?

None, Mr Jaggers.

You're early, Pip.

No matter, since my previous appointment has failed to appear.

Follow.

I apologise. It's just I saw Estella's name.

Miss Havisham Senior.

They have the same name? But I thought Estella was adopted.

-She is.

-Then how is it that they have the same name?

I can understand the Havisham but Estella

was surely not born with the name Estella.

How insatiably curious you are about those two ladies.

Curiosity is natural under the circumstances.

Curiosity killed the cat. And nature can be most brutal.

Sit.

This is a very kind invitation, Mr Jaggers.

Kindness has nothing to do with it.

I am obliged as guardian to meet with those in my care

and send reports as to how they do.

And what would you say of me?

I would scarcely have known you.

Thank you, Molly.

You have a lot of unpaid bills.

I don't.

I mean, I do.

But they're not unpaid, they're just not paid yet. But they will be.

You have bills at your club, with your tailor,

bills for furniture...

A pianoforte?!

-Yes.

-Your allowance is plentiful. Be more prudent.

Mr Jaggers, you're unfair. You say it is plentiful but it doesn't go anywhere.

I do not recall inviting you to enter a plea of mitigation.

But it's true.

You have to write a report to my benefactor and she...

My benefactor, whoever they may be, needs to know that I am making... improvements,

that I am changing and if I stay within my allowance, I won't improve or change.

So all my expenses are very reasonable and necessary.

Debt is debt and you are being profligate.

I have already advocated caution

and I am NOT in the habit of repeating myself.

And you are very late, Mr Drummle.

I am, aren't I?

Mike will let you out.

Who are you?

I'm Pip.

Pip?

I left my glove...

It is time you stopped acting like a child and started behaving like a gentleman.

There have been too many regrettable and unpleasant incidents.

There's a threat of charges being brought.

Throw some coins at the charges and they will disappear.

For heaven's sake, Jaggers, don't bother me with such trifles.

You will learn to curb your excesses, Mr Drummle,

or I will write to your father and wash my hands of you!

I...lost my glove.

Thank you, Molly.

MISS HAVISHAM: 'My dear Pip,

'I wonder if you might visit me.

'Estella is returned and requires an escort to Richmond.

'And I am keen to see your transformation first-hand.'

Pip.

How very handsome you look.

Thank you, Miss Havisham.

I was not expecting you so soon.

I thought you might want to visit your people.

But of course, what was fit company for you once

is not fit now.

As is only right.

Here is Estella.

Well, look at you both.

Not quite the finished articles.

But you will be. Soon.

And I shall be very proud.

Goodbye, Mother.

I will write.

And you will respond promptly.

Of course.

Miss Havisham, if I may be so bold, your gatekeeper, Dolge Orlick.

What of him?

I know him.

He is not trustworthy.

He should not be allowed the care of a lady.

How very vigilant you are on my behalf.

Almost proprietorial.

He will be dismissed and someone else found.

Miss Havisham.

SHE BREATHES HALTINGLY

Weren't my last words to you not to come back here?

To forget about this house and everyone in it?

There was a change in my circumstances.

A very great change.

So I can see.

-Who do you stay with in Richmond?

-A Mrs Brandley.

She is to be my chaperone.

One more stranger given the charge of me.

I am happy there'll be one familiar face.

I hope we shall be together often.

I'm starting to despair.

It seems every bank and insurer...

In fact, every business in London's getting on fine without me.

Herbert, you know if you need anything, you only have to ask.

I want to work. I want to marry.

At the moment, all I'm doing is proving my family right,

that I'd never make a thing of myself without them.

I'm sorry, Pip. I'm being very miserable.

It's a special occasion.

I have something to tell you.

I've kept it to myself, but I can't any longer.

I'm in love.

That's very good news! Does the lady have a name?

Estella. I'm in love with Estella.

Well? Would you not be happy for me?

That house...

Does it not feel haunted to you? Poisoned, somehow?

If Miss Havisham keeps her fiance's memory alive,

I don't call that poison, I call that love.

Compeyson didn't die.

It would have been better if he had.

He was a con man, Pip.

He asked Miss Havisham to settle money on him.

A great deal of money.

And on the day of the wedding, he sent her a note.

He was never seen again.

He jilted her.

And a little while after...

it was heard that she had adopted a little girl.

That day we met, I heard your father say something about Estella,

that no-one knows who she is?

We were told she was the orphaned child of friends.

No friends anyone had ever heard of.

Is that why you're not happy for me, because no-one knows where Estella is from? I expected better from you.

No, that's not it at all!

Compeyson's betrayal hangs around Satis House like a curse.

It festers and Miss Havisham lets it fester.

Estella has grown up with that,

surrounded by its influence every single day.

You do not know Estella!

I love her.

When I reach my majority, we will be married.

Just tread carefully, Pip. Be cautious.

Everyone is telling me to be cautious these days. I am sick of caution.

Quite right, Pip. Caution is very boring.

Pocket.

Drummle.

You know each other?

We schooled together. Didn't we, Herbert?

Goodbye.

Dear old Empty Pocket.

I wonder if he didn't cut himself off from his family

for some girl in order to make himself the tiniest bit memorable.

Where did you school, Pip?

Privately. At home.

Lucky you.

I appear to be drinking all your champagne, how fearfully rude of me.

Yes, well, we'll get another. It would be my pleasure.

I do like new people.

Mr Wemmick?

It is not the day for your allowance.

I know, I wanted to speak to you on a private matter.

Make an appointment with the clerks to see Mr Jaggers.

This isn't something I'd wish to discuss with Mr Jaggers.

-I thought you'd be more suitable.

-No-one more suitable than Jaggers.

-If you'd just hear me out. We could have luncheon at my club.

-Luncheon?

I'm too busy for luncheon at your club or anywhere else.

Then I'd be happy to come to Walworth when you'd have more leisure to listen...

Make an appointment with the clerks.

Now you'll excuse me, I have urgent business to conduct.

You really don't like me very much, do you, Mr Wemmick?

I don't know who you are.

SHOUTING

Down there.

And what will happen to your property when you are dropped?

Pondering your immortal soul and how you will explain yourself to the Almighty, that's all very well,

but these chickens need water, grain, a coop.

You're condemned but they can be saved, if you bequeath them to me.

HE LAUGHS

Yep.

They'll join my flock at Walworth and be well looked after.

I wish you a good ending. The ropeman is Noakes.

Ties a strong knot.

-What are you doing here?

-If I must follow you to Newgate to have an audience with you, I will.

-Did you just take his chickens?

-I accepted his bequest.

And he has no further need of them. What is this matter then?

-Herbert still hasn't found a situation.

-That is because he requires capital to buy into a firm.

-Capital that Herbert doesn't have.

-But I do.

Or I will have.

Mr Wemmick, I want to use my expectations to help Herbert

but it has to be completely secret and I don't know how to go about it.

So I...thought of you.

I would counsel very strongly against such help being given.

Such dissolution of your portable property is most ill-advised.

You see these?

You see these?

These are all part of my portable property

and I do not give one piece of it away.

Nor should you yours.

This is the advice of Mr Wemmick, Jaggers' chief clerk?

It is.

And what does the Mr Wemmick who grows his own rhubarb say?

They're a firm of shipping insurers. Venerable and well respected.

-Herbert had written to them some time ago.

-That would be perfect.

How will they explain why they're giving him this opportunity when he's penniless?

I've thought of that.

Old Mr Clarriker will tell Herbert he was touched by his obvious passion for ships

and wants to support a young man looking to strike out on his own

-without the cushion of family money.

-It's a terrible lie.

For a very good cause. I've rather enjoyed my mission.

The cloak and dagger. Without the dagger.

The capital required is £500.

Can you pay a portion of that from what is in my allowance?

I can, but what will you live on?

I am going to inherit a fortune, Mr Wemmick. A fortune!

Money is not a concern. Tell Clarrikers they will receive the full amount on my majority.

-They understand that Herbert must never know?

-They're a business.

As long as they get their capital, they're happy with any conditions. I shall close the deal.

It seems not everything in this world is venal.

-Mrs Brandley.

-My dear.

The whirligig of the season is upon us once more.

-And these are your daughters?

-Yes.

-Such beauties!

-Thank you.

Surely you are not nervous?

I am sick of being looked at.

I am sick of being evaluated.

And the women are the very worst.

None of them can hold a candle to you, Estella.

May I introduce Mr Pirrip and Miss Estella Havisham?

-Ladies.

-Mr Pirrip.

Miss Havisham, I've called several times but you are always indisposed.

How have I insulted you? I don't know what I've done.

You are making a spectacle of yourself, Sir.

-(Did you see that?

-I did.)

Bidding will be very fierce this year.

CHATTERING

Mr Pirrip, you are being much admired.

Do take an interest or their doting mama will be most offended.

I am flattered by their interest but I am clearly escorting another lady.

This is a market, Mr Pirrip.

All the stock must be assessed.

CHATTERING

We are friends.

Indeed?

He is quite the bachelor du jour.

A baronet, will inherit the title and the estate.

Breeding, bloodlines and proven provenance.

You said you and Mr Drummle were friends. I wonder.

Drummle.

Pip. You've been seeing my tailor.

We could almost be twins.

How charming to see you again, Miss Havisham.

Excuse me.

HE EXHALES

I wondered if we might talk later.

We could go to Finches?

Oh, I think we can do better than Finches.

I'm going to my other club tonight.

You'll like it there.

We are both gentlemen, are we not?

We are, yes.

Then, speak freely.

There is an understanding between myself and Miss Estella Havisham.

There has been for some years.

I would not wish for you to become attached and then be disappointed.

Well, that's very decent of you to let me know, Pip.

Very decent indeed.

Glad you understand.

Pip.

What sort of a name is Pip? Who calls a man Pip? Pippety Pip.

Gentlemen.

Her and her.

You like to spend, don't you? So, spend.

You can have what you like and no-one cares.

Whatever your impulses demand.

No?

I shouldn't be here.

Oh, dear. Ladies, it seems that my friend Pippy is a virgin.

LAUGHTER

Poor little virgin. He doesn't know what to do!

Just copy me, Pippy. Isn't that how you get by? Isn't that how you pass?

By throwing your money around and copying me, Pippety Pippety Pip?

-Stop calling me that.

-I know exactly what you are.

You're not one of us.

You know I know, don't you, Pip?

Who's there?

How well do you know Bentley Drummle?

You should not worry about Mr Drummle.

He will not get a moment's joy from me.

He is not what he says he is.

None of us are.

Not you.

Not me.

Estella...

Do you remember anything about your life before Satis House?

I'm not sure.

MRS BRANDLEY SNORES

THEY LAUGH

I know it was you.

I'll never say.

Thank you, Pip.

You're a good, good friend.

Go and congratulate him.

'Estella, at last! Why did you not come sooner?'

I've been waiting and waiting. Look! See, I keep them all.

I read them over and over,

but they're not detailed enough, Estella.

Can I not at least remove my gloves?

I must hear.

Come. Come. Tell me everything,

I must hear it all.

Get him whatever he wants!

FAINT VOICES ARGUE

I don't want to read them, read them to yourself.

That's the least I deserve after all I've given you.

-I've done all you've asked for and more.

-Where are you going?

-I'm tired. I want to rest.

-I've told you everything.

-Tell me again!

What did he look like? did he weep? Tell me!

How can you be so cold?

It's what you trained me to be.

Leave me alone.

No! I will not let you leave me!

You will not leave me!

Where is Miss Havisham?

She retired early.

There was an argument.

She wants me to love her.

But I cannot.

Why?

Because I do not have a heart.

That's not true, Estella.

I know it's not true.

'Are you a gentleman yet?'

That is for you to tell me, Miss Havisham.

You look the part.

You sound the part.

Your good opinion's all that matters to me, Miss Havisham.

And I reach my majority soon.

The time goes by quickly.

Your destiny approaches.

I will write. As usual.

Tell you of my progress.

So cold.

I am what you designed me to be.

I am your blade.

You cannot now complain if you also feel the hurt.

Miss Havisham.

'My dear Pip. This is your Uncle Pumblechook,

'making so bold as to convey with the deepest regrets

'that your sister is dead.'

Sad day, Joe.

I'll wait for you.

She had been sinking fast, Mr Pip.

In many ways, it's a blessed relief.

Now Joe can start working again. The forge has been completely idle.

Is this bespoke, Mr Pip? Of course it's bespoke!

It is the quality way now to only wear bespoke.

What do you mean, working again? The forge, idle?

He couldn't run the forge and do everything your dear sister needed.

Not all alone.

You do cut a dash, Mr Pip. A dash indeed.

I've arranged the wake.

A lot of people excited to see you.

In the end, I had to ticket the event, such was the demand.

I can now get a new pony for the trap.

She was your niece and you charged people to go to her wake?

It's what she would have wanted.

We shall see you there, Mr Pip, Sir.

There's boiled ham and a plum duff.

Tried to keep up the house but just ain't got the touch Missus had.

-She was a terror for dust.

-Joe, you did everything you could.

No man could have done more.

You'll be wanted at the wake.

I'm not going to that.

Your room's the same from when you left. I put sheets on the bed.

No, Joe, I can't stay.

I have to go back to London.

I'm taking Estella to a ball. I...promised.

MUSIC PLAYS

APPLAUSE

May I?

MUSIC PLAYS

You should move swiftly, Mr Pirrip.

He is most taken with her

and he's very used to getting what he wants.

Then want must be his master.

Ladies.

Swine-herd? Bird scarer?

-To what do you refer?

-I'm trying to guess what you did before you got your money.

-Do the voice, Pippety-Pip.

-What voice?

The voice you had before you worked so hard to get this one.

Where are you from, Pippy? Who are you?

-I am a gentleman.

-Oh, but you're not.

Any more than she is a lady.

Something about the pair of you doesn't smell quite right.

But at least she doesn't curdle the milk.

Shepherd?

Or did you pick stones out of fields to earn your meagre crust?

-Will you take me to my carriage? I wish to go home.

-Miss Havisham.

Pip.

Thank you for rescuing me.

I shall have to try and avoid him in future.

The season will be over and he will go back to his estate

a married man and you will not have to see him again.

How do you know?

It is the sort of thing I know.

We shall all be married soon.

Indeed we shall.

LAUGHTER

I would like to say a few words.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

First of all, I would like to thank Clara's dear Papa

for allowing me to marry his beloved daughter, finally.

LAUGHTER

I will treasure her, Sir.

And I would like to thank you, my friends, for celebrating with us.

And I would like to thank my wife, for marrying me

and making me the most blessed man in the world.

APPLAUSE

And...and I have an announcement.

Clarrikers are opening a new office in Cairo.

And I've been asked to help set it up. And I've accepted.

So, to friends, to Cairo and to Mrs Clara Pocket!

-Mrs Clara Pocket!

-Thank you.

Good night!

Cairo.

It's not the ends of the earth. You can visit.

He's very happy, Pip.

As you should be. You come into your majority tomorrow.

I'll find out the identity of my benefactor.

You will receive your portable property.

No more waiting.

Your life will begin in earnest.

Life begins.

Get out! Get out or I'll strike you!

You don't want to do that, Pip.

How do you know my name?

Who are you?

You know me, boy.

Abel Magwitch.

Don't be scared. I mean you no harm.

What are you doing here? What do you want from me?

I brought you something.

Something you been waiting on.

What's this?

It's your fortune.

Your fortune what was promised.

It's me that done this for you.

It's me that is your benefactor.

You're my gentleman, Pip.

It's not how I wanted it, Pip.

You should have stayed in New South Wales.

No, I won't let you do it!

He is a lifer who has defied the law. He will hang.

You could have been happy.

Oh! Don't touch me.

You know nothing about men, Miss Havisham.

WOMAN SCREAMS

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