Episode 1 Nick Nickleby

'There once lived a man called Nicholas Nickleby.

'He was a good man.

'A family man and a farmer, with a loving wife, two loving children

'and a modest property in the county of Devonshire.

'Nicholas Nickleby had it all.

'Then he lost it.'

'His son, Nick, took after him in many ways.

'A good boy with a warm, young heart, kind and true.

'Bit of a temper, mind you.'

DOOR SLAMS

'Nick thought he was ready to step up

'and guide the family through their loss.

'But he didn't yet know just how much they'd lost.

'And how his life was going to change, for ever.'

He was a good man, Mrs Nickleby.

He was a saint, doctor. A saint.

But he worked too hard.

I kept telling him, stress is a killer.

I went on and on and on,

but he wouldn't listen - and now look at him!

What am I going to do without him?

Its all right, Mum. Everything's going to be all right.

HORN TOOTS

He says we're too late. They're putting the farm up for sale.

They can't! Tell him they can't.

We have to pay up or get out. Today.

-Today?

-Can't we talk to the bank?

They're not going to help us. Dad was in debt.

-Something about the stock market.

-How could he have done that?

He couldn't even put the card in the hole-in-the-wall

without it being eaten.

-He's lost everything!

-I mean, he was a good man,

he was just clueless!

Ooh, these are nice.

It's a special balsam.

Oh, thanks.

There must be something we can do.

We don't know anybody with that kind of money.

Well, there is always Ralph.

Ralph who?

Your uncle. I know your father and he had their differences,

-but still, he is family.

-I've never even met the man.

Your dad invited him to our wed... Oi!

Your dad invited him to our wedding and to both your christenings.

But he was always too busy to come, and he lives in London.

Does he know that Dad's died yet?

Well, I've been a little bit busy myself.

I believe he's done very well for himself in the City.

I don't even have the man's phone number.

Don't worry, Mum. I'll find it.

KEYS JANGLE

RINGING TONE

'This is the answering service for Ralph Nickleby Associates.

'Please leave a message after the tone.'

BEEP

Hi, there. I'm Mr Nickleby's nephew, Nick.

I need to speak to him about my dad.

I'm coming to London today.

I'll be back soon, Dad.

'Ralph Nickleby was very different to his brother.

'He wasn't a good man, a family man, or a farmer.

'Few people knew exactly what Ralph Nickleby did for a living.

'But he enjoyed the reputation of being immensely rich.'

Verisopht's here.

The Right Honourable Jeremy Verisopht MP.

Show the man a little respect, Noggs.

Shall I show him in?

No.

Let him wait.

'I knew him better than anyone else.

'Unfortunately.'

He's busy.

BEEP

'Hi, there. I'm Mr Nickleby's nephew, Nick.'

I'm still busy.

A message from Nick Nickleby.

Is he bankrupt yet?

-A message from his son.

-What does he want?

He sounded upset. He's coming to see you.

My brother must be too embarrassed to see me.

Maybe he thought he could trust your advice, him being your brother.

Why should I wave a magic wand and make his debts disappear?

What should I tell the kid?

I'm busy. Get rid of him.

Ralph, sorry. There's a vote in the House at three.

Certainly. I've got a couple of minutes. Do take a seat.

Ah, Hawkovsky. They say he's a first-rate businessman.

Even I would run a mile from Vladimir Hawkovsky.

And you know I'm not especially discerning.

How is our bid coming along?

Sorry I'm late, Mr Noggs.

Late again, Miss Bhray.

Maia was up all night. My dad's looking after her now.

I'll make up for it, work late.

I've already done up there.

Don't want to upset Mr Nickleby now, do we?

Oh, Mr Hawkovsky. Didn't hear the buzzer.

Have you got an appointment?

I do not need appointment. Your boss needs my money.

Perhaps you'd be more comfortable in the boardroom.

I've been working on the other committee members.

If we could award you the contract for the care homes now

we would, but we have to be seen to be going through the process.

But the committee is on side? I'm paying you handsomely enough.

The care homes are yours, as long as you have the capital in place.

I told you, I have an investment partner.

Highly respectable, but prefers to keep his good works anonymous.

The less I know about that the better.

I just want you to promise me it'll all look above board?

People will be all over this.

It's worth billions.

I can promise you, My Honourable Friend,

it will be as clean as the kitchen surfaces in my flagship care home.

Spotless.

Your dad just called.

I told him never to call here except in...emergencies.

Your daughter needs to go to hospital.

I'm so sorry.

So am I.

No... Mr Noggs, I need this job. Just give me a chance.

Pastoral issues aren't our strong point.

DOOR BUZZER

You'd better go.

Hello?

It's Nick Nickleby.

We're here to see Mr Nickleby. About his brother?

'He's busy.'

Associates. You could be one of those, Nick.

He can't even get us in the door.

"Nickleby & Nickleby." "Ralph Nickleby & Nephew."

-Excuse me, do you work here?

-No, I don't.

We need to see Ralph Nickleby. I don't suppose...

I can't help you.

Are you all right?

I've got to go.

Can you take us to Hackney for...£3.68?

-Please. It's an emergency.

-Here.

I don't even know you.

Nick Nickleby.

Will this get her to Hackney?

You'd better go.

Thanks, Nick Nickleby.

When you've stopped trying to pull, we still need to get in.

So if you'd just sign here...

All in good time, my friend.

But we've agreed terms. The committee meets on Friday.

Then I have plenty of time to... What is it that you say?

..To sleep with it.

Vladimir, you're getting the deal of the century here.

I mean, it's better than oil, it's better than gas.

Old people will never run out.

I see.

(HE LAUGHS) I love this country!

Everybody's in such a hurry!

I will talk to my lawyers. I will sign your contract tomorrow.

Thank you.

And if you could avoid...

..some of your underage activities...

We wouldn't want anything to risk throwing this off course, would we?

The newspapers pay these silly girls to tell these lies.

Next time, I will pay them more to stay quiet.

Say you've forgotten your bag. Try to sound upset.

I've forgotten my bag.

DOOR BUZZES

Wait here. I won't be long.

Are you sure you left it in here?

Sorry. That was a bit of a lie.

I have to see my uncle.

-I told you already, he's busy!

-Can I wait? It's important.

-He doesn't want to see you, or your dad.

-My dad's dead!

What?

He died last week.

I didn't know.

Newman Noggs...

Your uncle's...

associate.

Good to meet you, Newman.

I really need to see my uncle.

You snuck past, OK?

It's nothing to do with me.

"Ralph Nickleby & Sons."

Your dad would've been so proud.

You have business with Mr Nickleby?

Um. Yeah. Hi, my name's Kat.

My uncle's Ralph Nickleby and my brother, he's gone in to see him

and left us out here, but I'm freezing my toes off,

so if you could just let us inside to wait?

Please?

For you, Katerina, anything.

Thanks! Mum!

Come on.

I hadn't expected him to die. So young...

I'm sorry. We should've told you straight away.

Brothers die every day. The world goes on.

They've taken everything, kicked us out, put the farm up for sale.

The farm is for sale?

We wondered if...

We were hoping that you might maybe lend us

the money to buy it back.

Do you think Nick'll be long?

I was the oldest brother. By rights, the farm should've come to me.

Wasn't it because Dad looked after Gran and Granddad?

Your father took my birthright, ran it into the ground

and then lost it all on some idiotic gamble,

and you want me to loan you hundreds of thousands of pounds

at zero interest with zero guarantee of getting repaid?

I'm sorry, I know it's a lot to ask,

but I've got my mum and my sister to look after.

I'd do anything. I could work for you.

Why would I hire you?

Because I'll work hard, and do a good job, and...

we're family.

Grinning skulls, that's all you are,

with your sob stories and your smiles.

Whatever it takes to get a free ride.

I just thought you wouldn't want to see us on the streets.

Why would I care? I don't know you.

I don't owe you anything.

I made my own way in this life and I suggest you do the same.

I will make my own way.

But I'll never end up like you!

Goodbye, Uncle Ralph!

We don't need Uncle Ralph's help.

Er, yeah, we do! You should've let me talk to him.

I did say we should've got returns.

It was only a pound more for off-peak.

Returns to what?

Higher Moor Farm.

-What?

-Our old family home in Devon.

Nice name for a care home, don't you think?

Won't you have enough of those with this deal?

Yes, but this one would give me particular satisfaction.

Find the agent.

Snap it up.

MOBILE PHONE RINGS

Vladimir, what can I do for you?

Kat who?

I'm not sure I understand.

-We've got to find the girl.

-What girl?

Kat Nickleby. The sister. Come on. Put her up at the club

for a couple of nights.

-What about Nick and the mother?

-I don't care about them.

-Don't you think Kat might?

-Ah right. Well, I can take care of the mother.

But the boy is trouble. Got to get rid of him. Come!

You go that way. If you find her, give me a call.

-What do you want her for?

-Hawkovsky.

-She's your niece!

-This is business.

If you think I'm going to let this deal fall apart

over some girl I've never met, you've got...

Grief... affects us all in many ways.

I may have been a bit harsh.

Just a bit.

Your father was better at showing his feelings. He was a good man.

He was a saint, Ralph. A saint.

Hopefully, my actions today

will show you I'm not all bad.

You'll help us get the farm back?

I've made some enquiries. The farm has already been sold.

-Sold?

-Some local developer. I'm sorry.

But... it can't be.

Please, do not upset yourselves. I have decided to...

pay all your remaining debts

and provide you with a home here in London.

-In London?

-Really?

Thanks, Uncle Ralph.

And I have decided to give you a job,

in my flagship care home, Dotheolds Hall, in Yorkshire.

-Yorkshire?

-Yes. It's a fabulous opportunity.

You start at the bottom, work your way up.

You did promise to pay me back, didn't you?

Yeah. Yorkshire. No, that's... great.

-You can start tomorrow morning.

-Tomorrow?

I thought it'd be less of a wrench if he started straight away.

Mr Noggs can take you to the coach station,

and I can get us a cab to your new London home.

Oh! I'm so proud of you, Nick.

"Nick Nickleby Associates"!

SHE SOBS

Here...

SHE SOBS

Ooh, is it silk?

Yes. Come. Come!

Right, then.

-How did you get...?

-I'm not completely useless.

Ms Nickleby? >

So...what's it like, then?

Dotheolds Hall?

We'd better get a move on.

Dad.

You should be asleep.

Is Maia all right?

It's just an infection.

I shouldn't have called you.

No, you did the right thing.

And now... I'm going to do the right thing too.

No, Maddy. You promised not to go through with that.

Things have changed.

I can look after Maia. I'm fine.

No, you're not!

And I don't want you getting any worse any faster.

-I need to look after you both.

-You don't have to sell yourself!

It's a business arrangement.

It's an arranged marriage. I never wanted this for you.

They get a visa, we get security for life.

It's not legal.

If anyone finds out...

No-one's going to find out. It's perfect.

I'm lucky to have this opportunity.

The sooner it's done, the happier I'll be.

I am sorry.

Dad.

Please...

go to bed.

Letters from home...

Mr Cobbey?

-HE CLICKS HIS FINGERS

-Mr Cobbey!

Your daughter sends her love.

She's sorry she's had to rent out your flat

and sell all your furniture to pay for your keep here...

But hey, ho, such is life.

Mrs Graymarsh?

Your sister's dead.

But...

she's left you £100!

Which will go towards the cost of replacing that vase you broke.

A wedding present it was,

to me and the late Mrs Squeers.

Irreplaceable.

HE INHALES SHARPLY

But! A hundred quid's a start.

PHONE RINGS

Mrs Smike?

-Only kidding.

-HE LAUGHS

Every time!

Oh, dear!

Mr Bolder?

Your son is very concerned.

He wants you to come home at once...

-What have you been telling him?

-Nothing, honest.

I mean, why would I?

I think it were because the last time he saw me,

he said he thought I were...

losing weight.

Oh, did he, now?

Well, we'll have to do something about that, then, won't we?

Before you're allowed to see him again.

HE GROANS

CUTLERY CLATTERS

Double portions from now on.

And nothing for you!

Put her in her room! For the rest of the day.

May I help you, sir?

Oh.

I'm starting work here today. Nick Nickleby.

Frannie Squeers. My daddy's Wackford.

Sorry?

Wackford Squeers.

The boss here.

Oh. My uncle's Ralph Nickleby.

Your dad's boss, in London.

Well, well,

Nick Nickleby,

I think you'd better come with me.

HE EXHALES

CAMERA CLICKS

You'll have seen the ads in the national quality press.

People flock here from far and wide.

We are a beacon of excellence.

Awarded five stars from CRAaPU.

The Care Review Assessment and Policy Unit.

They labelled us "a flagship for the future of care in the UK."

Wow!

And the most remarkable thing is we've achieved all this

whilst having the lowest overheads in the industry...

..and the highest profits.

This is a cutting-edge business, my boy.

Frannie.

So...

Have you any experience working in care before?

No.

-Any training courses, qualifications?

-None.

Voluntary placements? Informal care for an elderly relative?

Nothing, I'm sorry.

Okey dokey.

Now, if you'll just sign here...

tick here, and here.

And now it's official.

Is that it?

Franniekins can show you everything else on the job.

SHE GIGGLES

How do you know whose clothes are whose?

Just bung them whatever. They like a surprise.

FAINT GROANING

Hello.

Hi. I'm Nick.

-I'm Mrs Smi...

-Mrs Smike!

You're not allowed to be in here. Go to the day room.

I have to stay in here all day.

Mr Squeers said.

Well, I'm saying you have to go.

Now!

Daddy?

Why do you have to stay in here?

I saw you outside.

Yeah. It's my first day.

Looked like you wanted to leg it.

No!

I don't mind, really.

Don't be sad.

I'm not.

You don't have to say, if you don't want.

FAINT GROANING

My dad...

Get off him, you loon! Has she hurt you?

No. We were just talking.

Daddy?

-Mrs Smike. You do as you're told... or else.

-Or else what?

-Step outside, please, Nick.

-Not until we've sorted this...

Outside. Now.

I'm sorry.

Shhh, Mrs Smike.

Or else.

Interested in Mrs Smike, are we?

-Is she all right?

-She's senile.

History of violence.

It doesn't say that in here.

It doesn't say anything.

This is an archive.

Our records are computerised,

accessible only to authorised personnel.

She doesn't seem senile to me.

She seems scared.

Leave Mrs Smike to us experts, Nick.

You're not a doctor.

You're not even NVQ Level 1.

You're a young man of impetuous temper and little or no experience.

But,

one day,

all of this could be yours.

Your uncle's told me that your dad's dead

and he's had to take you under his wing, as it were.

Now, to my knowledge, he doesn't have any other heirs.

Doesn't take a genius to work out what he's doing, sending you here.

A kind of...

apprentice.

So, learn from me.

Impress me,

and we can both impress your uncle.

Do you see?

Why don't you come for dinner with us tonight?

I know my little girl would like that.

And it could be beneficial for us all.

MELLOW MUSIC PLAYS

KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come!

-SHE GIGGLES

I thought...

-Mr Squeers...

-Daddy's gone to bed.

Tired out, poor thing.

And he thought it'd be better, just us two.

-I'm pretty tired myself, actually...

-That's why I thought we'd just...

chill out.

Watch some telly...

have some dinner...

Come and get comfy.

Have a dip.

Hope it's posh enough for you.

Daddy reckons you're like... a millionaire.

Your dad might be a bit confused.

But my uncle did ask me to keep an eye on things.

Report back to him.

And what rating would you give me?

What happened with Mrs Smike?

-Do you fancy her or something?

-Is she really senile?

She's nuts!

She can't read or write.

Zonked out half the time,

then, when she likes, she can be sneaky as anything.

They get like that, proper cunning, when they've been in the loony bins.

What loony bins?

Been locked up all her life, that one.

Padded cells. Bzzz! The works.

What for?

Cos she's nuts.

Poor Nickybobs.

This is all new to you, isn't it?

But you'll learn.

You can't go around caring about them all.

Isn't that the job?

Well, if you spend all day caring,

you'll never have nothing left for them what really matter.

Frannie, I...

Forget about biddies.

Let's make babies!

I... I really like you, Frannie...

And I really like you, Nickywicky.

..but if it's going to mean something, something special,

let's take it slow, OK?

OK then.

Tomorrow.

CLOCK TICKS

KNOCK AT DOOR

DOOR CREAKS

Mrs Smike?

Sorry, I know it's late.

I just wanted to make sure you're all right?

-SLURRED:

-I'm all right.

Just sleepy.

Have you ever seen a doctor here?

There's nothing wrong with me!

That's what I thought.

I don't like doctors.

What happened to you, Mrs Smike?

I don't... I don't want to die in here.

You won't let me, will you?

No, of course not.

But you've got to tell me what's going on.

What did Squeers do to you?

I just need to go to sleep.

I looked in your file.

There was no diagnosis, nothing,

just blank pages and a locket.

Frannie said you...

A locket?

I was looking for...

evidence, I suppose,

of how you're being treated.

But if you can just tell me,

I could talk to my uncle or the inspectors or someone.

It won't make any difference.

But you have.

SHE SIGHS

SHE SNORES

-RINGING TONE

-'This is the answering service for Ralph Nickleby Associates.

-'Please leave a message after the tone.'

-BEEP

Hi, Newman. It's Nick.

I'm at Dotheolds and I'm a bit concerned.

Can Uncle Ralph give me a call, please?

HE GROANS

HE SIGHS

Good evening, Ms Nickleby.

It's still Mrs, if you don't mind, Ralph. It's early days yet.

And anyway, my maiden name was Hoops.

I hope you're enjoying yourself here?

Oh, we love it, Ralph! We love it.

It's just our kind of place.

PHONE PLAYS LOUD ROCK TUNE

Sorry!

Why don't I buy you a drink? Gin and tonic and a...

vodka and Coke?

Thanks, Uncle Ralph.

It's Kat, by the way.

Kat.

RINGING TONE 'The person you are calling is unavail...'

PHONE KEYPAD BEEPS

'Hi, Maddy. It's Nick Nickleby.

'Are you OK?'

PHONE BEEPS

HE SIGHS

BANGING

LOW-LEVEL CHATTER FROM TELEVISION

DOOR OPENS

Fancy taking me round the back for a fag?

I don't smoke.

I've got chocolate fingers.

You go.

I'll be there in a bit.

SHE GIGGLES

Oi!

Sorry, Mr Cobbey.

I thought we'd do something different today,

help cheer us all up.

What do you want to do?

How about a sing-song?

What songs do you know?

Mrs Graymarsh?

Mr Bolder?

Anyone?

OK. I'll start, and you join in.

# Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag

# And smile, smile, smile

# La-la-la... #

Does anyone know the words?

How about this?

# It's a long way to Tipperary

# It's a long way to go

# It's a long way to Tipper... #

OK.

Maybe not, then.

# Well, since my baby left me

# I've found a new place to dwell

# It's right at the end of Lonely Street

# It's Heartbreak Hotel

# I'm feelin' so lonely, baby

# I'm feelin' so lonely... #

ALL: # I'm feelin' so lonely, I could die. #

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

Who's next?

# How do you do what you do to me?

# I wish I knew

# If I knew how you do it to me

# I would do it to you

# You give me a feeling in my heart

# Like an arrow going through it

# I suppose you... #

FAINT SINGING

# How do you do what you do to me?

# I wish I knew... #

DOOR BANGS

Can I help you, Mrs Smike?

# Woopah, oh, yeah, yeah

# I never knew that I'd miss you

# Now I know just what to do

# Walking back to happiness

# I shared with you. #

-DOOR BANGS

-Oi! What's going on?

That'll do now.

Break it up!

-It's not doing any harm, Frannie.

-You've already lost one resident.

Told you she was cunning.

Mrs Smike.

It's all right.

Daddy's taking care of her.

We can take a break.

You must find her.

Come on.

Get off me.

Nickybobs?

It's for your own good, Mrs Smike. You have to learn.

I won't do it again.

I know you won't. I'll make sure of that.

Sit down.

-Let her go.

-I don't care who your uncle is...

-I said let her go!

-..I'm in charge here.

HE GROANS

FRANNIE SCREAMS

CRASHING

Nick! Behind you!

CRASHING

Are you all right?

Thanks for coming.

Franniekins, call the police.

I think we'd better get out of here.

Just do whatever it takes.

Oi!

Why did they lock you up?

Nick!

All that remains is for you to sign.

I think I will go and see the lovely Katrina first.

Goodbye, Nick Nickleby.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd