Original subtitles

I don't tolerate vulgarity or disease.

My girls are moral and kind.

Men come to Faye's for a graceful experience.

We want our customers to feel as though

whatever might arise of a sexual nature has occurred almost by happenstance.

- I understand. - Hm.

This will not be your first brothel?

No.

Where did you work before?

- Near Boston for a few years. - Hm.

And you're here of your own free will?

No one is forcing you?

I'd count myself fortunate to be employed at a house such as yours, Madam Faye.

I hope you don't mind me asking these questions.

It's just

that it's so puzzling.

You're so pretty and young and ladylike.

Why, you could have a husband and a surrey and a corner house in town

with no trouble at all.

I hope you won't insist on knowing.

The happiness of someone very dear to me is involved.

What was your name again?

Kate.

Kate Albey.

Breakfast is at eight. Supper at four.

We begin to receive visitors at seven. Oh, Georgia, be a dear.

- Show Kate up to Rosie's old room. - Sure.

- Hello. - Come on.

Ethel.

I need you to run an errand for me tomorrow.

- You need more pills from Dr. Wilde? - No, no. I have a message for the sheriff.

I want him to take a look at this girl and tell me what I'm missing.

Oh... Oh... Oh... Oh...

One moment!

Miss Albey?

This is Sheriff Quinn.

That's a funny picture for a whorehouse.

It was here.

Miss Faye asked me to size you up,

who you are,

where you come from.

I'm happy to answer any of your questions.

Oh, it won't be necessary.

I've just come from out near King City.

And they asked me there to see about your husband,

Adam Trask.

- I... - Oh, no, no, no.

There's no need to pretend.

I've seen your wedding picture.

Don't you wanna know how bad you shot him?

Yes.

Well, a .44 tears the hell out of a man.

If not for the Chink, he'd have bled to death,

and you'd be staying with me in the jail.

I'm sorry.

Oh, no, you're not.

You left a couple of babies.

Nah, I'm not gonna make you go back there.

In fact, I'd do quite a bit to keep you from going back there

because I don't want you to hurt Mr. Trask or those little boys.

I have no intention of hurting them.

Oh, I'm pretty sure they'd be hurt plenty if they ever found out what you are.

A whore is a whore.

I don't care how you live your life as long as you don't give me any trouble.

What is it you do want?

Well, you'll keep your new name, Miss Albey.

- Kate. - Sure.

Color your hair dark for a while.

See, lots of people look like somebody else.

What about this?

Well, if somebody thinks they know you by that mark, well, that's just a...

That's...

Oh, what is that word?

- Coincidence? - Yeah.

Coincidence.

And what will you tell Faye?

That you'll make a fine addition to the house.

Isn't there a threat?

Or something that you want in return?

Yeah.

I got a boy.

Nearing 20.

Big, nice-looking fella

with a broken nose.

If he comes by, I want you to send him down to Jenny's.

I don't want him coming in here.

Tainted.

Not that it matters.

The only true freedom in this world is economic freedom.

And for the modern woman, that presents a problem.

She could marry into wealth, of course.

But those assets will belong to her husband as surely as she does.

Leslie got pregnant?

No, there are only two ways for a woman to acquire her own money.

She can be fortunate enough to have a rich relative die.

Or she can own and run her own brothel.

Enjoy yourself. Oh, thank you.

People who don't know think it's easy to be a madam.

They think a madam just sits in a big chair and drinks beer

and takes half the money the girls make.

But it's not like that at all.

You have to feed the girls.

That means managing the groceries and overseeing a cook.

Your laundry problem is quite a bit more complicated than that of a hotel.

You have to keep on good terms with the sheriff and the shopkeepers.

You have to keep all your employees well and as happy as possible.

Whores, especially those getting along in the years,

can be pretty flighty with a razor.

That kind of thing gets your house a bad name.

So you have to keep suicide at an absolute minimum.

See, it isn't so easy running a house.

And if you have waste too, you can lose money.

Oh, isn't that lovely?

Look, Ethel, she remembered to use my special plates.

Thanks, you can go now.

Go on.

Faye asked to speak with me.

Ethel, give us a moment, dear.

Hm.

Sit down.

Were you aware that clients have been asking for you by name?

More all the time.

Do you know why?

Perhaps they like my face.

A pretty face alone does not inspire loyalty.

Hm.

Do you know what I find curious?

One would assume a girl as gifted as you

would have made enemies of the other girls in the house,

but the girls all profess to like you.

Grace says you embroidered her a handkerchief with her initials.

My mother taught me to stitch neatly.

I can make one for you, if you like.

Kate, why are you behaving like a schoolgirl due for punishment?

I assumed you were displeased with me to call me in.

On the contrary, my dear.

You appear to be a treasure.

I would like for you to remain happy here.

What do you desire?

- A... a bigger room? - No.

- Some addition to your wardrobe? - No, no. I'm... I'm perfectly...

- What? - Nothing.

Spit it out, child.

Who helps you?

- What do you mean? - With the bills and such.

Surely you don't oversee every aspect of the house on your own?

- Of course I do. - That's terrible.

You'll work yourself to death.

This is the life of a madam,

the life I chose.

- But your health... - What about my health?

I have noticed on occasion you take medicine.

It is only Pinkham's.

My mother was so much like you.

Thinking only of others, no concern for herself.

Till the very end.

Hm...

Allow me to shoulder some small part of your burden.

Well, it's not necessary.

Laundry and grocery bills. Let me manage them for one month.

And if all isn't to your liking,

we shall restore them to the current arrangement.

I've noticed a good third of the porridge gets thrown out each morning.

Not my fault you all don't eat.

But by the time the girls pull themselves out of bed,

the porridge has often gone cold.

Might the timing be altered?

No. I have to start on dinner.

Most days, there's at least one girl

flashing the red flag, lying about, not earning.

Could we put those idle hands to work?

For every trick, you'll get a mark.

And at the end of each week, we'll tally them up.

May,

you performed heroically last week,

not only how many tricks you turned, but just how pungent some of the men were.

I'll work on getting our clients to bathe.

We'd obviously like to keep our business with you.

Your services are undeniably superior.

Fifteen pounds of laundry, twice a week,

more in summer, and our business is growing.

I'd hate for you to lose out on such a contract.

Four cent.

Three.

I'll talk to the other houses about bringing you their business as well.

Over a hundred tricks this week, which I think we can be proud of.

I should say so.

Although, some of those were Jenny's regulars

on account of Jenny being closed for Lent.

I did give them a special rate to see if we couldn't persuade them to return.

You think of everything.

Just look at this place.

You knew what was needed before I did.

Well, it's my pleasure to care for you.

Hm.

Alice?

I asked him not to be so rough.

Where are you hurt?

I'll have Dr. Wilde come tomorrow morning.

- I can't afford the fee. - The house will pay.

- That's against Faye's policy. - Well, you can't work until you've healed.

And you can't heal without a doctor.

I cried in front of him.

And he liked it.

He liked it.

Do you know the story Alice in Wonderland?

It's about this little girl, Alice, like you,

who goes into this world, and it's upside down.

Animals talk. Nothing is as it seems.

And she finds this... this bottle that says "drink me."

And the potion makes her shrink down until she's so very small.

When I was a little girl...

and I was afraid...

or hurt...

there was no place to hide, no escape, I would think about Alice.

"Drink me."

And I'd feel myself growing so small...

so small, nobody could find me.

But Alice would be there, waiting to welcome me.

And I knew

I had only to drink the whole bottle, and I would disappear.

But I never had to.

Because I always had Alice.

You need not be alone.

Tell me...

which client did this to you?

What do you call that, Cotton Eye?

"Moonlight." Piece by Beethoven.

- Do you know the words? - It don't have words.

Sounds like moonlight.

Play it again.

Perhaps my girls will be upstairs and greet you.

That's it.

I asked for Alice.

And I asked for you, Mr. Bacon.

Why should a whore's request outweigh mine?

I have heard about your

tastes.

Alice is a lovely girl,

but I think I may be able to sate your appetites

with a little more precision.

You see...

Ah.

In my experience,

those that bear a great burden of power,

they like to be...

relieved of it every so often.

And you, sir,

you appear to be a very powerful person.

Do you want me to show you what I can do?

Or would you rather beat me until I call you Father?

The egg man was short again today.

Oh. He'll make it up to us when he can.

You're too trusting, Faye.

If you don't take care, someone will steal the roof from right over your head.

I have you to watch out for me now.

Mm. I'm trying to do just that.

It's strange to think you haven't even been here a year.

You know, Kate...

I've come to consider you almost as a...

as a daughter.

Hm. I think my mother in heaven would be glad.

Hm.

- Kate... - Yes?

I don't like you working here.

- Whatever do you mean? - I'm not ashamed.

I run a nice house.

If I didn't, maybe somebody else would run a bad house.

I'm not ashamed.

Well, why should you be?

I don't like to think of my daughter working.

Don't be silly. I have to work. I have to earn my own way.

You could manage the house and not go upstairs.

It would be good to have a... a second-in-command.

I'm not always well, you know.

I know you're not.

Poor darling.

I'd pay you whatever you're making now.

You'd be worth it.

Hm?

I wish I could do what you want,

but you need your little reserve, and I need money.

I've told you I could pay you.

Suppose something should happen to you. What happens then?

I'd be without clients, without security.

Where are you going?

To prepare myself for the evening. I have five regulars tonight.

- Kate, I don't want you working. - But I have to, Mother.

Oh.

Oh, poor darling.

Why don't you rest this evening?

You've been working so hard. Your nerves have frayed.

- I can look after the others. - Stay with me.

Our guests will be waiting.

Can't you tell them you're sick?

I wish I could, but I can't.

I must think of my future.

Kate...

I think I will stay in my room tonight.

After you close up, tap on my door.

I have a...

I have a little surprise for you.

What kind of a surprise?

- A secret surprise. - Mmm.

- Tell the cook to come see me. - Sounds like a cake surprise.

Go on. Shoo.

No one's coming in.

Let's ask Faye if we can close up.

No, leave Faye alone. She isn't feeling very well.

You girls go to bed. I'll clear up.

- Good night. - Night.

What's the matter with Faye?

I'm worried to death about her.

Why? She looks all right to me.

Just this afternoon, when I was setting her hair, she...

- No, I shouldn't say. - What? What is it?

In the middle of a sentence, she fainted dead away.

No. Why?

Her indigestion, she says.

I thought she was poorly. I noticed she had a kind of bright flush.

- Right. - Should we call Dr. Wilde?

No, no.

And please don't say anything to Faye. She'd hate for you to concern yourselves.

What a dear she is.

Come in!

Ta-da!

Surprise!

What in the world?

- It looks like a party. - It is.

A party for my dear daughter.

I brought you a present.

Oh. Why? You shouldn't have.

Oh.

Oh, you crazy child.

No, it's... it's too much. I can't take it.

- It was my mother's watch. - Oh...

And I want my new mother to have it.

I have a gift for you too.

Go over to the desk.

Mm-hmm.

The little mahogany box.

Open it.

Go on. Read it.

"All my worldly goods."

All my worldly goods, without exception, to Kate Albey.

Because I regard her as my daughter.

I know a will is a funny sort of present.

Now that you're my real daughter, I can tell you.

I have assets,

we have assets,

in excess of $60,000.

I sold the place in Sacramento for a good price.

You never have to worry about your future ever again.

I'm afraid it will not stand.

Well, what do you mean?

It's real enough. I had Alex witness it this afternoon.

If, God forbid, anything were to happen to you,

your next of kin could break this.

Oh...

They'd declare me illegitimate, and then where would that leave me?

My girl, I have no kin.

And if I did, who would know?

Do you think you're the only one with secrets?

You think I use the name I was born with?

Kate, it's a party. Don't be sad.

I'm not sad. I don't...

I don't think I remember ever feeling so happy.

Oh. Oh, my girl.

My darling.

You've made me happy too.

Now I don't feel alone.

Let's have a toast.

Do we have to have wine, Mother?

Why not? I like to put a little load on. It lets the poison out.

Liquor isn't good for me.

You're not gonna let an old woman get silly all by herself, are you?

We must toast to our little family.

To you.

My daughter.

That's a good girl.

Down the old rathole.

After two or three, all the bad things just... go away.

- Now it's your turn, Mother. - Mmm.

Ooh.

When I was your age...

I could tell you stories you wouldn't believe.

I could tell you stories nobody would believe.

Don't be silly.

You're a child.

You look strange.

Mm.

Maybe it's the light.

You look...

different.

I am different.

Mm. Call me Mother, dear.

Mother dear.

Oh, Kate.

We're going to have such a good life.

We could get a ship.

Buy dresses in Paris.

I've always wanted to go to Europe. Wouldn't that be fun?

Not now.

No?

Why not? I have plenty of money.

We'll have plenty more.

Well, why wait?

I could get $10,000 for this place tomorrow.

- No. - "No."

It's my house.

It's our house.

What's the matter with you, Kate? I don't like your tone.

Mmm.

Mmm...

Mmm...

Mother dear.

Mm-hmm.

Mmm... Mmm...

I'll show you how to run a real whorehouse, Mother.

We'll fix the gray slugs that come here and dump their putrid little loads.

We'll give them pleasure, Mother dear.

- You're drunk! - Ah, ah, ah.

I didn't want to drink.

You made me drink.

You nasty little worm.

Do you think my regulars pay me a mean little dollar in quarters?

No.

They pay me $10, and the price keeps going up all the time.

They can't go to anybody else. They don't want anybody else.

No one else will do.

Don't talk like that! You're not like that!

That's the way this whole house is going to be.

We're gonna charge them $20, and we'll make the bastards bathe first.

Take down the trousers of my regulars and look at the heel marks in their groin.

Tiny little cuts made from the sweetest set of razors

so sharp that they hardly feel them until they're bleeding in their pants.

Shh.

Shh.

Mother dear.

Here.

Just two or three. All the bad things go away.

It won't hurt if you don't fight it.

It was only a dream. It's only a dream.

You're having a nightmare.

Just a bad dream.

It's just a bad dream.

Just a bad dream.

Shh.

Wake from your dream, Mother.

Faye!

Faye?

- What is it? - Faye.

- The dream! The dream! - What?

The dream!

Shh.

Poor, poor darling.

- Oh... - I'll never have another drink.

I'll do the rest.

You girls go and ready yourself for the evening.

We have customers.

Close your eyes, Mother. Sleep.

No.

I'm afraid to.

The dreams.

Were they so bad?

They weren't...

like my dreams.

Hmm.

Let me find you a little paregoric to relax you.

Okay.

Perhaps I do need a rest.

I've always wanted to go to Europe.

Would you like to come with me?

You want me to come with you to Europe?

- I've always dreamed of traveling abroad. - Oh.

When can we go?

We'll plan a trip for next summer.

- Kate. - Hm?

You won't turn any more tricks, will you? Like we talked about.

Of course not.

Mm.

Now go to sleep, Mother.

Mm.

- I'll keep the dreams away. - Mm.

Why did you tell about witnessing the will?

What? I said nothing.

Then how does anyone know?

Show some respect and keep a tighter ship.

Acting like she owns the place. And I've been here longer than her.

We all have.

You really think she'll take over the house after Faye's gone?

Sooner than that, I reckon.

Girls.

It's dinnertime.

They don't want to talk to her.

What is it?

What's the matter?

I'm afraid Alex let it out about the will.

- I'm sorry, Faye. I would have never told. - Is that all?

It's really very simple.

I am all alone in the world.

And Kate takes such good care of me.

I have decided to take her as my daughter.

Hm?

I hope you will all embrace her in her new role.

Hm.

Congratulations, Kate.

Nothing has changed, really. It's just a piece of paper.

Well, one thing has changed.

You're not going to work anymore.

Yes, I'll just be managing the house from now on,

which means that someone has to take on my regulars.

Ethel?

Do you think you could manage?

Sure, I can.

Great.

I'll make the necessary arrangements this evening, and we can...

Kate?

- Kate? - What's wrong? She...

Kate!

I'll fetch the doctor!

Is she...?

What is it, Dr. Wilde?

It's her kidneys. I suspect they need flushing out.

I'll prescribe some pills.

And she needs... she needs rest.

She has been working all hours.

What have I always told you? This kind of life breaks the body.

Excuse me.

I'm sorry, Mother.

What would I do without you?

Is there any more porridge left?

- Shouldn't you be in bed? - Dr. Wilde's medicine is helping.

Oh, I think I left my pills in my bedroom.

Sit down.

Here.

- Thank you. - I'll fetch them for you.

Oh, you finished the garlic. Thank you.

Got the onions in the cellar too.

Oh.

I wish we could do that with all our fruit and vegetables in winter.

The cost is just so much greater.

And the grocer charges twice what he should for canned goods.

Mm.

Alex.

You're brilliant.

Our biggest expense is fruit and vegetables in the winter,

but right now, you can buy them for two bits a lug.

But it's so much work.

Many hands. We'll be done in no time.

Berries, tomatoes, beans, all kinds of pickles.

What else?

I have a farmer promising apricots.

And it was all Alex's idea.

Bravo, Alex.

Kate.

- It'll pass. - Have you taken your pills?

I've run out.

I'll have May go and fetch Dr. Wilde.

No, no, no, no. I'll, um...

I'll go to his office when I find a moment.

Tomorrow. First thing.

Morning, Doc. You look beat.

Two deaths... and a breech birth.

Good morning.

Uh, how did you get in here?

Wasn't the door locked?

It opened when I turned the knob.

Huh. My office hours aren't until ten.

I'm sorry. I... I just needed more pills. Faye couldn't spare me later.

Right, the... the girl with the kidneys.

Any better?

Yes, the... the pills help a little.

Did I leave the dispensary door unlocked too?

What's a dispensary?

Do yourself a favor.

Never get old.

This here brand-new rag called "The Easy Winners."

Arsenic.

Causes stomach distress.

Lead.

Causes headache.

Ah...

Digoxin.

Causes nausea.

- And here's our lovely Grace. - Hi.

What is that?

Can't a lady enjoy herself?

Come with me.

Ugh...

It's only indigestion.

It can't be.

- What are your symptoms? - My stomach.

My head.

Last night, you were crying out in pain.

I thought

my heart...

What about your heart?

Mm...

I'm getting Dr. Wilde.

No.

He'll only say what he always does.

I shouldn't live this way.

I shouldn't eat so much.

We'll have invalid food for supper.

- Chicken soup and salad. - It's Alex's night off.

I know my way around a kitchen. I'll bring up a tray.

I'd like to have dinner downstairs.

No, you should rest.

The more you wait on me, the worse I feel.

My mother died of heart trouble.

I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you.

I suppose one more day in bed couldn't hurt.

Mm.

Jenny's girls talk about nothin' but how nice it is over at Faye's.

Trixie asked if we had any room.

But she's been with Jenny forever.

- Do you want a sandwich, Kate? - We're gonna have a picnic out back.

Ethel's gonna read our fortunes.

Oh, no, I'm having dinner with Faye tonight.

How is she?

Uh, hold on. I'll be right back.

For old men and children!

Do you mind if we have a nip of cherry cordial? It is our night off.

You girls enjoy yourself.

Oh God.

Kate?

Oh, Kate.

Oh my God. Ethel?

Ethel! Girls!

What's going on?

She's been working herself to death.

What did they eat? Do any of you know?

We all had sandwiches. It's our cook's night off.

They didn't have sandwiches.

Are these home-canned?

- Sure. We did them right here. - Did any of you have them?

No. Sundays, Kate and Miss Faye have their own supper.

- Go out and break every jar. - What? What's wrong with them?

Botulism. Goddamn string beans.

And bring two bowls and some clean water.

Did he say botulism?

Open your mouth.

Bite on that. Now swallow.

That's it. Now swallow. Swallow.

Miss Albey?

I, uh... I gave her morphine.

It should take care of the pain, at least.

Isn't there anything you can do?

She's all torn up inside.

Goddamn botulism is worse than a rattlesnake.

But I'm feeling better. Why isn't she?

We don't know much about botulism, but damn few ever get over it.

You should count yourself fortunate.

It, um...

It would be best to prepare yourself.

When was the last time Kate slept?

If Faye dies, the shock might kill her.

Think she's just as likely to blow her brains out.

Did I ever tell you,

when I was a little girl,

I wanted to have curly hair more than anything in the world?

So after my bath, my mother would plait my wet hair.

When I woke, I would take my braids out and have the softest of waves.

My mother used to call it angel hair.

Isn't that beautiful?

Tomorrow, you will have angel hair, Faye.

Can you open for me?

There we go.

Beautiful.

Shh.

Oh!

Oh, Faye!

The new wing should extend to about here...

with a long corridor leading all the way from the kitchen.

How many rooms do you think you can fit?

They can be small. The new girls won't require much.

Six or more?

That'll do for now.

Should we paint the exterior yellow to match the rest of the house?

Paint it black.

Paint it all black.