♪
And with the industrial revolution came millionaires
who'd compete to throw the most lavish parties
and they'd try to out-do one another
with their big desserts or their huge hats.
They'd even compete to see
who could have the most magnificent mansions.
One man plated his entire bathtub in 24-karat gold leaf.
Imagine taking a bubble bath in that.
But miss, aren't places like that
just in fairy tales?
Oh, no.
No, they're very real. Trust me.
In fact, I used to spend my summers in a big mansion
just like that when I was your age.
Well, back in the States.
Lucy?
Oh, excuse me. Excuse me.
Enjoy the rest of your tour.
Lucy, giving children tours in the galleries again?
That's what our docents are for.
Sorry, Isabelle.
I was just passing through and I guess I got pulled in.
I love that exhibit.
Come along.
I need my director of development upstairs.
We've got to plan for the fundraiser tonight.
So catch me up where we are.
Sure.
So I re-worked the seating chart.
All of our major donors will be sitting up front,
and you will be between the Lord Mayor and Ambassador Philips.
Oh, Lucy. You remind me of me.
Museum directors aren't made, they're born.
And you truly have the makings of one of the greats.
You know, I'm relocating back to New York soon.
I can't think of anyone who works harder than you.
Thank you.
Your passion and knowledge of history is undeniable.
Your organizational skills are top-notch.
Well, I've decided to nominate you as my replacement
when I retire next month.
Isabelle. Really?
Oh my gosh, that would be a dream come true.
But before we pop the champagne, just one more hurdle.
I do need to get the trustees on board with you first.
I will wear them down like...
Like... like the Duke of Wellington wore down Napoleon
at Waterloo.
Precisely.
[laughs]
Ok. Name tags done, catering taken care of,
Isabelle's speech printed and proofed.
I don't think Hannibal had this much to do crossing the Alps.
[laughs]
Anything else, Josephine?
Uh, that just about does it.
I'd say we're ready for the fundraiser tonight.
Well then, since the new exhibit's going in downstairs,
I might just sneak down for an early peek.
Boss, you're meeting the Hobart Foundation at 2:00
and then Lady Jacobs to nail down her gift for the east wing,
and you still have to call back that cute Cambridge professor
that wants to take you out on a date.
He doesn't want to take me out on a date.
He just wants my help writing his grant proposal.
Lucy, you're a victim of your own success.
Well, I should take these down to the archives.
Oh!
I got it.
And, uh, cover for me if anyone asks?
Have fun.
Enjoy the new exhibit.
Oops, sorry.
Thank you.
Excuse me, sir.
Is this rubbish you're throwing out?
Hey. That I am, why?
This pot right here is actually Delft pottery.
It's a real treasure.
You might wanna hang on to it.
I had no idea. Thank you.
You're welcome.
Take good care of it.
Hi, Nigel.
Did you have a good day?
Great, Lucy.
Oh, this came for you.
Special delivery.
All the way from the U. S. of A. Looks official.
H.K. Rourke, Attorney at Law.
"Lucy Windsor, I've been trying to reach you
"since your great aunt...
This can't be.
[knocking]
Lucy, I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt.
Thanks, Isabelle.
She was a wonderful lady.
She passed away last month.
Oh, is that her?
Yes. Aunt Grace.
The kindest, most adventurous soul you could ever meet.
Wow, what a lovely estate.
I'd guess Gilded Age Era.
Upstate New York?
Close, Rhode Island. It's called Wycliffe House.
I grew up spending my summers there.
Your Aunt lived there.
Great Aunt, actually.
Her husband Arthur was the last of the Wycliff's.
His grandfather Henry built the house over 100 years ago.
I spoke to my folks and they said that Arthur didn't have
any remaining family
so Aunt Grace bequeathed the whole thing to me.
Inheriting a mansion?
That's something that doesn't happen every day.
Aunt Grace invited us up there every single summer
until I headed off to Oxford.
Now who's that?
Uh, Duncan.
Son of the caretakers.
My aunt took him in after he lost his parents.
Uh, anyway-
Oh, Lucy, I hate to ask,
but must you go all the way to the States right now?
The trustees meeting is just around the corner.
Apparently the way the will is written,
if I don't go soon the property goes into a receivership
and becomes a big legal mess.
I understand.
Do what you need to do, but please hurry back.
I know I can get the trustees to approve you.
Thanks, Isabelle.
I will be back before you even know I'm gone.
Oh, I hope so.
Because if I don't get a successor soon
they'll roast me like...
Like...
the great fire of London in 1666.
Precisely.
Oh, have a good flight.
Thank you.
Hello, I'm Lucy Windsor.
As if I needed to be told that.
I recognized you in an instant.
Eleanor, of course.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't know you still worked at the estate.
Oh, yes.
How long has it been again since you've been here?
Ten years. I wanted to come back sooner to visit
but work just kept me so busy.
Your Aunt Grace understood.
She was always so proud of you.
She's sorely missed in town but she lived a long and happy life.
I just wish she were still here.
So do I, honey.
Well, come along.
You must be exhausted after your flight.
Thank you.
The back seat?
Well, you are the mistress of the estate now, after all.
But first an old friend.
It is just as beautiful around here as I remember.
I had so many wonderful times here.
And as I recall you and Duncan
spent a great amount of time here together, too.
You were kind of sweet on each other if memory serves.
The follies of youth.
Actually, Lucy, about Duncan-
It's ok, Eleanor.
He's one part of all of this that I am happy to forget.
There she is.
Right where you left her.
Magical.
[sheep baaing]
What is all this?
The welcoming committee?
The fence in our pasture is falling down
and your Aunt Grace could never say no to visitors.
Go on in and get settled, honey.
Thank you.
The door sticks a little.
Got it.
It's a little sticky, huh?
Oh!
Lucy?
Duncan.
What're you doing in my house?
Uh... Lucy, what're you doing in my house?
Your house? My house.
What would give you that idea?
It's not an idea it's a fact.
That this is my house.
No, mine.
Ok, I think maybe there's been some kind of a mistake.
Why wouldn't Grace tell me that she was leaving the house
to both of us?
Tell you? Why wouldn't she tell me?
I don't know, maybe because I've been here
and you've been in London?
Regardless, it's perfectly obvious
there's been some sort of a clerical error.
You changed your hair.
Yeah.
[baaing]
Shh.
So how've you been, Lucy?
Oh, I've been good.
I've been- I've been really, really good.
Good.
And you uh, you- you work in some museum in London I heard?
Mmmhmm.
Yeah, no, and I might even become its director.
Knock... well, knock wood.
And you, you're some fancy architect now?
[laughs]
Fancy? I don't know.
I mean, I'm working for a big commercial firm up in Boston.
I'm glad we're all caught up.
Excuse me.
Eleanor, why didn't you tell me about Duncan?
I tried.
You didn't wanna know.
I'm gonna make some tea.
Besides, it's high time you two buried the hatchet.
Duncan.
This has been lovely.
I am going to go take a little look around.
Be my guest.
Or my guest.
This place is still amazing.
A window back to the 1890's.
They don't build houses like this anymore.
And that's a good thing.
Give me a modern condo any day.
A place you can heat
with up-to-date plumbing and electrical.
It's still magical though.
Yeah, it might look magical
but this place is slowly falling apart.
Note the buckets.
It's seen some disrepair since the last time you visited,
not to mention half of the rooms are already closed up.
You see the problem?
Yeah, I'm starting to.
Grace used to hold her Gilded Age Ball in here.
Yep, this place has definitely seen better days.
The last two years I've been coming down here
on the weekends to help Grace out with the upkeep when I can.
That's surprisingly charitable of you.
A brief lapse in judgement, I assure you.
But seriously, this place is an absolute money pit
and needs to be sold off at the earliest opportunity.
Assuming you own it, which you don't.
Which I do, and I'm well on my way
to coming up with a brilliant sales pitch for it.
That is if the developer, Mr. Niven,
is open to hearing my presentation.
Richard Niven the billionaire?
Ah, you've heard of him.
Yeah, he specializes in building golf courses
and I've heard he's interested in opening
a new one around here.
Turn the estate into a golf course? Seriously?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Did- did you have a better plan for this place?
Not at this exact moment
but surely there must be a better option
than turning a magnificent estate into some putting green.
This is 1890's at its finest.
The stained glass, the marble floors-
Out with the old, in with the new.
Oooh! Duncan, how can you be so blind
to all the history around you?
How can you be so blind to the bottom line?
Listen, Frank Lloyd Wrong,
you are not going to move a stone of this mansion.
Ok. Well then what do you suggest?
This has got to be some big mistake.
Aunt Grace would never put me in such an impossible situation.
I suggest that we get a little clarity
from H.K. Rourke, Attorney at Law,
and figure this out in the morning.
Fine.
Which hotel are you staying at in town?
Hmm?
Hotel? No, I'm not staying at a hotel.
I'm staying in the west wing.
Of my mansion.
Great.
Then I'll be staying in the east wing of my mansion.
Great.
Mmm.
I'm gonna go that way to the east wing.
Yeah, that's fine.
Thank you.
After you.
Mmmhmm.
Stop watching me leave.
You stop first.
[phone ringing]
Lucy, how's life on your estate?
Where do I start?
It turns out Duncan is staying here, too.
Duncan?
His father was the caretaker.
He used to live here.
But he's impossible, as always.
Duncan thinks he inherited half the estate.
Co-owners of an estate, that sounds kind of romantic.
Trust me, it is the opposite of romantic.
But I have to admit, he does look pretty good.
Oh, details, please.
What does he look like?
A little bit like our statue of Marc Antony.
But with the same flair for betrayal.
He's got some scheme to turn the place into a golf course.
A golf course?
Well, that seems a bit daft.
Exactly.
But as soon as we figure this whole thing out
with the lawyers in the morning
I am going to send Duncan packing.
Well, good luck, Lucy.
Thanks, Jose. I'll need it.
[loud grunts]
What is happening out there?
Hey. Hey, Duncan.
Oh, a beautiful morning to ya.
I see you're still not an early riser.
You ever hear of a little thing called jet lag?
Vaguely.
But I'm happy to help you get back on to local time.
Ok, look.
I'm a little tired.
I could really use some more sleep.
Do you have to do that right now?
Well, if you want a hot shower
before we go visit the lawyers then yes,
the water heater's down so I gotta fire up the old boiler.
[loud grunt]
Well, can you chop more quietly, please?
Oh, you bet.
[loud grunt]
I give up.
You are H.K. Rourke.
Yes, but Hannah is fine.
Hi, Duncan.
Hello, Hannah.
So you two know each other?
Duncan took me to the Newport Regatta.
Oh.
How lovely.
Well, please. Sit down.
First, let me extend my sympathies.
Grace was a big part of our community.
Thank you. I really miss her.
I do, too.
That's why it's a little odd to be talking business right now.
And that brings us to the question of what happens next.
Well, Duncan,
regarding that mistake that you called me about.
It's actually not a mistake.
Regarding Grace's will
the situation is actually quite clear.
Simply put, you both own the estate.
What?
But how can that be?
What she said.
Grace was quite specific in her will.
She arranged that you should both own 50 percent.
And I'm sorry that I couldn't explain the full situation
until you had both arrived,
but Grace had sworn me to secrecy.
Duncan,
Grace mentioned in her will how much
she appreciates everything you and your family did
for her over the years and she wanted to extend her gratitude.
And Lucy, Grace knew that you loved that place
as much as she did and you would always
have its best interests at heart.
Which is why it makes absolutely no sense
that Grace would do this.
Well, that much we agree on.
Ok, so if I own half...
And I own half.
Then we have to come to some sort of agreement.
Look, the truth of the matter is
the house is all that's left of the great Wycliffe fortune.
There's a small stipend to pay for Eleanor but that's it.
And I'm here if you guys have any more questions.
Thank you very much for taking the time, Hannah.
We appreciate it.
Oh hey, Duncan, um... really good news.
My client, Mr. Niven, has agreed to hear
your golf course presentation.
I hope it helps.
Thanks.
Yeah.
So Hannah is the one who found your potential buyer?
Yeah, for a small 10 percent finder's fee.
She's just trying to help.
In London we'd call that a wee conflict of interest.
Ok. How about we find a civilized way
of ironing this all out?
Over breakfast maybe?
Still got a weakness for waffles?
I'm buying.
You read my mind.
Pancakes and waffles.
Will do, Duncan.
Thank you.
And for you, miss?
Wait, Lucy?
Randall.
It's so good to see you.
Hi. Wow. Duncan and Lucy.
Nice to see you two together again.
(Both): We're not together.
Duncan, you didn't tell me Lucy's back in town.
Well, that's because I'm as surprised as you are, my friend.
Well, welcome home, Lucy.
You still like your waffles with strawberries
and a pyramid of whipped cream?
You have a fantastic memory.
So what've you been up to?
Just working here, helping Eleanor when she has errands,
helping out with the festival.
You should stop by if you have time.
I'd love to.
Ok. I'll put this in.
Randall's still a hoot.
At least he had the courtesy to send me
a Christmas card every now and again.
You left the country.
You never replied to any of my letters.
You know what?
Water under the bridge.
So how is it that you're still so close
with everyone here in Newton?
I thought you were some
high-flying architect in the big city.
I have been coming down to Newton every weekend
for one reason and one reason only and that is the estate.
It is a monster that needs constant feeding
and I am finished with it.
But that house has been here for over 100 years.
How can you turn your back on it?
Easy. Look, Lucy, if we could just sell this estate
I would have the funds to start
my own architecture firm and you could go back to London
with a tidy little nest egg.
What do you say?
But if Niven goes for it,
what happens to the estate?
Well, the plans that I suggested would see the grounds
opened up for the fairways and we would probably have
to lose the coach house, the gardens-
Bulldoze the gardens?
Duncan, over my dead body.
Do you have any idea what it takes to maintain
an estate like this?
No, but I wanna leave it in good hands.
I don't know, maybe I could get it designated
as a historical landmark and then I could start
applying for grants to protect it.
We would be lucky if Niven picked it up.
Our other option is putting it on the market
and honestly, at this rate, it wouldn't even pass inspection.
Ok, so what do you propose?
I suggest that we sell off a few odds and ends
so we have the funds to patch up the roof
while we try to figure out
what to do with the rest of the place.
Fine.
Ooh.
Did you know that Belgian waffles were invented
in the 1800's by the Prince Bishop of Liege?
Nobody knows that, Lucy.
[laughs]
Well, what do you think, dad?
My money's on Lucy.
She always was headstrong as a kid.
True, but Duncan's always got a trick or two
up his sleeve.
It's a shame they can't just-
Work together. I know.
Of course, maybe they just need a nudge.
Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
Coff-
what? No, out.
Out.
Shoo. Shoo. Shoo.
Shoo. Shoo.
Go on.
Out. Out. Out. Out.
Go!
Morning.
Where's Eleanor?
Uh, she left a note.
She went to town to help out with the festival
and left breakfast on the stove.
Meanwhile, why don't you put your world class
architectural skills to use and fix the lock on the kitchen door
so Percy will stay where he belongs?
Percy?
I mean the sheep that just pushed his way into the kitchen.
Why Percy?
Because he's so persistent.
Huh. Sounds like somebody else I know.
I'll add it to the list.
So I've totaled the amount of money we'll need
for the essential fixes before we can even show this place.
We'll need to touch up the paint,
fix some of these windows, and of course pay the roofers.
Better get started.
This house has lasted for 100 years.
I think it can make it through breakfast.
No time like the present.
Duncan. Duncan, what're you doing with those?
We need money to fix the roof, remember?
So I thought we could sell off a few of these things
at the antique auction in Newton.
It's just collecting dust.
But these are Aunt Grace's things
and Wycliffe family heirlooms.
Sacrificing themselves to keep this house
from falling apart seems like the most noble duty of all.
It's just random stuff.
Random stuff?
That is a 19th century oil painting.
Yeah.
Of, like, trees.
And that antique Venetian vase is in perfect condition.
What, this old thing?
Oh!
Oh, those chandeliers in the great hall
are probably worth something.
No. Duncan, I love those.
Ok.
How about this?
We've got dozens of these.
Those are emblematic of the fascination
in the 1890's of botany and floral history.
We have to keep at least one.
Ok. What is your obsession with history?
No, those are treasures and...
this is Aunt Grace's diary.
We certainly can't sell that.
Ok, granted, that was a mistake.
What about this painting with the pretty girl in it?
Haha, very funny.
This Victorian hall stand is an antique.
Lucy, be practical for once.
We need to fix this roof.
[sighs]
Ok. Fine. But make it quick.
Ready?
Ok.
And this one?
I'm proud of you.
I'm going to give Randall a call
and see if he can give us a hand to bring this down to auction.
I'm going with you to make sure you get a fair price.
Deal.
[piano playing]
♪
Sold.
One antique oil painting for $1,200.
Not bad. That's $3,000 in total.
Alright, I'll admit it.
You have an eye for this stuff.
Oh my, a compliment.
Will the wonders ever cease?
Alright.
[laughs]
It's like traveling back in time.
It's fascinating, isn't it?
Mmmhmm.
Yeah, fascinating.
You know, that beer garden back there
sounds pretty fascinating, too.
You want to join me?
You go ahead.
I'm going to browse.
Lucy Windsor?
Is that you?
Mr. and Mrs. Jorgensen.
You remember my husband Marcus?
Of course.
Lucy, it's been ages.
Randall told us you were in town.
Grace would be so happy to have you back home.
You're here to handle the estate, no doubt?
Yes.
And give Hannah Rourke a little competition?
You and Duncan were pretty serious back in the day.
Are they, uh, dating?
No, but Hannah's the top shot in the darts contest every year
and Duncan's got a bullseye on his back
whether he knows it or not.
[laughs]
Well, she can tag and release him for all I'm concerned.
Well, Eleanor says that you're undecided about
what's to come of the estate.
Yes, things are up in the air but we'll figure it out.
Lucy, you must come by the cafe for dinner
to welcome you back to town.
I would love to but I'm a little concerned about leaving Duncan
and the estate alone,
goodness knows what he'll try to sell off next.
Well, bring him along, then.
The more the merrier.
Yeah.
Ok. Sure.
See you then.
Ok.
We'll take it.
Well, that's very gallant of you.
Are you buying me a gift with our money?
No, I got this.
We need every cent of our antique money for the repairs.
Ok, I take back what I said.
You always did have a tiny sweet spot.
Mmm.
So now you remember.
Too bad posterity will remember you as the guy
who tried to turn a landmark into a sand trap.
Right. And uh, remind me, what was your idea again?
I told you, I'm thinking on it.
Oh, can I grab one of these?
Egg cream?
You know the way to a girl's heart.
Just like old times.
Ooh, those look pretty yummy.
Yeah, it smells good.
Yeah.
Oh, look at these.
Wow.
Can you believe we once dressed like this?
Decades from now some modern architect will be saying
the same thing about photographs of us.
Oh, I love imagining who these people were.
Where they worked, where they lived, who they loved.
I forgot how much I loved this festival.
The antiques and the costumes.
It's all so unique.
Shame it's only once a year.
It's too bad it can't last all ye-
What?
Nothing.
Can we go back to the estate now?
Yeah.
(Josephine): So how's the life of leisure?
A lot more work than I expected.
And Duncan?
He's still got a Napoleon complex
mixed with a dash of Genghis Khan.
But in spite of Duncan's plans
I have an idea to save this place.
Uh-oh, I can hear the wheels turning from here.
What's your plan?
Well, it's just that there's so much history in this town
and I realized the estate doesn't have to be
just a historical landmark.
Visitors can step back in time.
Like that colonial Williamsburg my nephew visited.
Exactly.
The town is the perfect stop on the mansion tourist circuit
and our little Newton doesn't even have one museum.
The challenge is going to be how to make it happen.
Well, if anyone can make it happen it's you.
Oh, and Lucy, don't forget your conference call
with the trustees is in four days.
I'll be ready.
Thank you, Josephine.
Bye.
You seriously think that plan's gonna work?
Were you eavesdropping?
I can't help it.
Echo-y halls.
Oh.
You're not afraid of a little competition, are you?
Afraid? Not a chance.
So as co-owners of the estate you don't mind if I present
an alternative proposal to your potential buyer?
Mr. Niven?
Mmmhmm.
Of course not.
It'll keep you out of my hair while I work on my proposal.
Please, have at it.
Ok.
And whichever idea Niven supports
we both agree to approve.
Sure. I'm game.
Have fun.
I'm gonna save your house, Aunt Grace.
[classical music plays] ♪
You mind turning down your music?
Really?
Come on, Duncan. It helps me think.
It literally prevents me from thinking.
Fine.
[starts humming]
Ok, now you're humming.
Lucy, there are literally 39 other rooms in this place.
You sure you don't wanna work in one of them?
Since the estate's half mine I believe this table is half mine
and this room inspires me.
How's that presentation coming along?
Great.
Did I tell you about my idea to turn the solarium
into a botanical exhibit?
Did I tell you about my plan
to turn the solarium into a pro shop?
Huh. According to my web search
there are already four other golf courses within 30 miles.
Does this area really need another?
According to my research it could take years
to get a site declared a historical landmark.
Tsk tsk.
Ah.
So you've been researching my idea.
Guess my plan's got you a little intrigued.
Yeah, guilty. Intrigued.
At how completely impractical you still are.
But just for argument's sake,
how would you possibly fund this?
I'm going to devote part of the house
to showcase antique vendors and local craftspeople
from town and we could sell their goods here.
It's called revenue.
Revenue.
Mmmhmm.
And that revenue would be enough to keep
this entire place running?
I think it's worth a try.
I think you still got your head up in the clouds.
[turns music back on]
♪
Alright, you know what?
If we're going to share this estate
then maybe we should set some house rules.
Great idea.
For starters how about no drying your laundry
on the priceless antiques?
Fine.
If you agree to no more than one hour of your music a day.
Fine.
Now, if that's all,
we are due at the pub for dinner tonight.
We?
Look, I said yes for both of us.
I couldn't help it.
Yeah, that's great. I'm starving.
I'll see you downstairs in five minutes.
Well, look who's here.
Our guests of honor.
What's all this?
It's nothing.
Just a little dinner to welcome you back home to Newton.
You didn't have to do this.
Nonsense.
You two are officially our guests of honor.
Thank you.
I sense a trap.
So I hope these rumors aren't true of selling the estate
and high-tailing it out of town.
You wanna take this one?
We're still trying to figure things out,
but I am working on a plan to save the old place.
Well, Wycliffe House is this town's heritage
and I can't think of anyone better than you two
to watch over it.
To Wycliffe House.
[together] To Wycliffe House.
You know, Lucy,
I remember all those summers you visited Grace.
You always seemed so at home here.
Name one thing that London has that we don't have here.
Ok, uh...
the museums.
[laughs]
I'd say this whole town is a museum.
[laughter]
Can't argue that.
Look, all joking aside, I love it here.
But my dream job is waiting for me back in England.
Dream job, huh?
Well, I'll admit a dream job's pretty serious.
But desserts like this only come once in a lifetime.
Desserts?
(Group): Oooh.
Truly, you didn't have to do all this.
Oh, but we did.
See, your Aunt Grace has helped every single person in this town
in one way or another and Marcus and I got engaged at the ball
that your aunt used to throw every year
and Randall learned to ride at your stables
and it's high time that we repaid the favor.
Welcome back.
Welcome back, Lucy.
I love this part of the estate.
I had forgotten how hospitable everyone is in this town.
Yeah, some things never change.
I'm starting to get the feeling
that they're trying to convince us to stay.
Well, I could think of worse things than staying.
You hear that?
What?
The sound of the crickets instead of us squabbling.
It's pretty nice.
Hey, tell me something.
What happened that last summer we were here together?
You were headed off to grad school.
You were gonna be thousands of miles away.
How could it have worked?
So you just cut and ran?
It was the practical thing to do.
Mmm.
Practical. Again.
Someone had to be.
You were always the dreamer.
Ok, look. I... I know my idea is just a pipe dream
and you're right.
It does take forever to get a historical designation
but I can't just sit by and watch all of this go away.
This estate is home to way too many happy memories for me and-
and Aunt Grace-
I miss Grace, too.
You forget, I lived here year round.
I know every inch of this place.
I grew up here.
I went to Boston to start over
but Grace needed my help and this estate
and all of its needs kept calling me back
over and over and over.
I need to be done with it.
This firm is the most important thing to me.
I've always been focused on the past
and you've always been focused on the future.
Who says history has to repeat itself?
What do you mean?
Ok, well let's face it.
A house divided cannot stand.
Go on.
I want a historical site, you want a golf course.
Why can't we have both?
I am not following you.
How about a resort that showcases history?
It's the best of both worlds.
Interesting.
But Niven is expecting a golf course, plain and simple.
But he's a business man,
and we'd be doubling the potential revenue stream
and preserving history.
More tourists flock to this town every year.
That's an opportunity.
True.
And we could hold Grace's Gilded Age Ball
just like she used to do
and really show off the estate to Niven
the way it's meant to be seen.
That seems very ambitious.
We have two days to come up with a sales pitch.
What do you think?
A golf course that doubles as a history park.
Yeah, why not?
Maybe it's the moonlight
but I think you might be on to something.
Deal?
Deal.
[laughs]
So the fountain stays put.
That's right.
And we won't have to move a stone.
And then the great hall becomes our grand lobby.
We make a pretty good team.
Like Hamilton and Burr.
Before all that unpleasantness.
Sure. What's next?
You know, for an architect
you have some pretty good hands-on skills.
Thanks. My dad used to let me help him fix things
around the house.
Do you know that Aunt Grace and Arthur
were married here on the estate?
I wonder how many other weddings this property has seen.
Weddings.
That's not a bad idea to add to the proposal.
Yeah.
You know, courtship in the late 1800's was truly fascinating.
A gentleman's invitation to a dance was often delivered
to a lady in a letter to avoid any misunderstanding,
and suitors would woo their beloved with moonlit serenades
and poetry and acts of chivalry, of course.
Sounds exhausting.
[laughs]
Will you help me move this, please?
Sure.
Oh, watch out!
Chivalrous.
Well, I think I'm gonna go wash up
and then what do you say we head to the festival?
Oh, it is so great that you're bringing back
Grace's Gilded Age Ball.
Well, it is the finale of our pitch to Niven
to preserve Wycliff House.
Give me those.
I'll put these up around town.
That'll show Niven what Wycliff means to this town.
Take a shot, folks.
Take a shot, and win a prize.
Come on. Take a shot and win a prize.
Take home a beautiful antique vase from the Gilded Age.
Miss, what about you?
Oh, no, no, no.
Thank you very much.
Come on, Lucy. It looks fun.
I bet you picked up some skills back in England.
The only targets I'm used to hitting these days
are third quarter donations. No.
Thank you. No thank you.
I get it.
You're scared. That's cool.
Scared?
Ok. Since you put it that way,
I'll take two turns.
I'll show you who is scared.
Blech!
What was that?
Your technique is all over the place.
Look, may I?
So, the thing with darts is
you gotta line it up from your shoulders.
Raise your elbow.
Good to go.
Alright. Here goes.
Hey, look who's here.
Looks like you're getting into the spirit of things, Lucy.
We're just taking a break
from the estate to enjoy the festival.
You know what? This does look like fun.
I'm gonna play, too.
Hannah, you clear out all my prizes every year.
Thank you.
Duncan's been really mysterious lately,
what have you two been up to?
Just trying to do what's best for our place.
Well, I've set up the perfect opportunity for you.
I hope you're ready for Niven.
Maybe your sales pitch is more on target than your dart game.
And then you can be done with the estate and head back home.
That is still the plan, isn't it?
Yes.
Yes, it is.
Don't feel bad, Lucy. It's an acquired skill.
You know, at Oxford we start with our weaker hand
when we play freshmen.
[applause]
It won me a round or two.
Ooh, thank you.
That's nice.
Uh, that was amazing.
[laughing]
I'm glad my post-grad came in handy for something.
Thank you for sharing.
Mmm.
You're welcome.
Sharing an estate is easy.
Sharing my popcorn, that's a challenge.
Well, I'd say we're doing a pretty good job at it.
You know, we were always different.
But somehow it just works.
You know what they say about opposites.
So uh, you and Hannah seem pretty close, huh?
Sure. I mean, she's been very helpful with things.
You sure it ends there?
Yes, I am sure it ends there.
[laughs]
What about you?
Are you, uh, are you seeing anyone back in London?
No, not really.
The last guy I dated was perfectly nice
but he just didn't appreciate
the things I'm passionate about, you know?
The final straw was when I caught him listening
to a cricket match at a Michelangelo exhibit.
[thunder rolls]
Woah.
We should probably head back.
Yeah, and I've got a conference call to prepare.
Not to mention a Gilded Age Ball to plan.
Let's go.
Brr, that came down fast!
Let's get a fire started, warm this place up.
It'll be a lot easier to fix things up around here
if our fingers aren't frozen solid.
That's good.
Hurry up.
I'm trying.
Get closer. I'm freezing.
[phone rings]
Work calls. Again.
Alright, well I'll just be right here trying to get this lit.
Hi, Josephine.
Lucy, how's the life of luxury?
[laughs]
Lovely.
Just missing a few modern conveniences like heating.
Can you hear my teeth chattering?
And Duncan?
Still a battle of wills?
Actually he's been a little more Gandhi than Genghis lately.
Go figure.
Well I just wanted to let you know that I emailed you
the spreadsheets you asked for with all of the donor totals
for your call.
Perfect, thank you.
And I'll give you a heads up
when I know what time your call is with the trustees.
In the meantime, stay warm.
Bye, Josephine. Thank you.
Bye.
(Duncan): Finally!
This is better.
Everything ok on the home front?
Yeah. Just getting my ducks in a row for my conference call
with the trustees.
The big promotion.
Mmmhmm.
You really want this new job, huh?
Of course I do.
Then why don't you sound so convinced?
It's just I got into museum work because I love history.
Preserving the past.
Sharing a story that's been told for centuries.
But my job keeps pulling me away from all that.
You know, so much of the real work is politics and red tape.
Budgets and donors.
So would this new promotion, this-this dream job,
allow you to do more of what you love?
Actually, I don't know.
Then why exactly do you want it?
[knocking]
Who could that be?
I just invited a few friends over.
That's how I think you all can showcase
your merchandise right here.
So I could exhibit my vintage costumes here.
Exactly.
And Eleanor, I was thinking
you could showcase your baking skills in a little bakery
we'll set up in the downstairs kitchen.
Wonderful.
You know, I bet half the folks in town would jump at the chance
to sell their antiques and crafts up here
to visiting guests.
That's the idea.
And if our buyer goes for our proposal,
your crafts and antiques will have a home here year round.
So what do you think?
I'd say we think it's all a great idea.
Fantastic.
Well, I'll need you all to be set up
for our presentation to Niven.
And we expect to see you all tomorrow at the-
Ball, tomorrow night.
We can't wait.
Oh, we look forward to seeing you take the first dance.
Just like Grace and Arthur used to do.
First dance?
Well, we can't argue with tradition, can we?
Wait a second.
Don't tell me that you are still self-conscious about dancing.
A little.
Ok. How about a little refresher course?
[plays music]
♪
May I have this dance?
♪
I haven't danced in years.
Really?
I thought your job was just going to fancy parties.
That's not my job.
And anyway, when I do go to fancy parties
I'm there to schmooze donors.
There's no time for dancing.
Mmmhmm.
And what will happen after this big promotion?
Double the schmoozing, I guess.
[giggles]
♪
So um...
I've got some things I wanna-
No, no. I have- no, I do, because of the conference-
That's right.
The big conference call that I need to prep for, so...
Thanks for the dance.
Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'll uh-
Yeah, good luck.
Thank you.
Any time.
Good-bye
Bye.
Hey.
Hey. So, you and Lucy ready for the ball?
Yeah, yeah. I'd say so.
Of course you realize, my friend,
you now have a second chance.
At what?
Come on, Duncan.
Lucy was the one that got away. We both know it.
Yeah, well, she's heading back to London soon
and history will repeat itself.
Mmm.
As I recall last time she left
you didn't exactly beg her to stay.
It was the responsible thing to do.
Well, maybe there's a reason you and Lucy
are back in each other's lives now.
But you'll never know if you hold yourself back.
Thanks.
Thank you.
Oh, Eleanor, those smell delicious.
Will you put them over there on the table for me please?
You got it.
Thank you. What do you think about this here?
Oh, perfect.
Your aunt would be so proud of everything you've done here.
Thank you.
Lucy. You got a second?
What is it? Niven's gonna be here any minute.
I know, I know, I just want to show you something.
Ok.
Ta-dah. I snuck it down to Randall's
for a little rust removal and polish.
It looks amazing.
Everything does.
Oh yeah, and Eleanor even found some of Grace's old decorations.
So, you feeling ready for tonight?
Yeah, I guess.
But I have to admit, I am a little nervous.
Oh, come on.
Was Joan of Arc nervous when she rallied those French troops?
Well... no, but things didn't work out very well for her.
Ok, that's a good point, good point.
Um, well, was Cleopatra nervous?
Did she retreat when the Greeks showed up?
It was the Romans actually, not the Greeks,
but anyway those are important figures from history.
That's exactly my point.
So are you.
Um... we should finish getting ready.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Welcome, Mr. Niven.
Thank you for your interest in buying Wycliff House.
My pleasure.
Hannah's told me great things about you both.
Well, we have a vision to present to you today,
and though it might not be quite what you expected
we believe it's an even better opportunity
than just a golf course.
So, without further ado...
Imagine a resort with all the amenities of a five-star hotel.
Golf, a spa, luxury accommodations...
and with all the history of a world-class museum.
And as the guests wander through the estate...
They will stroll back in time
and imagine themselves as Vanderbilts or Morgans,
living the lives of gentlemen or debutants.
They will walk amid living history and experience life
in the Gilded Age first-hand.
And then afterwards they might enjoy a round of golf
or a cocktail by the fire.
Please follow me.
And our rose garden provides the ideal location
for weddings and events.
While paying homage to the estate's historic character.
All with five-star dining and accommodations.
All our plans are here in our proposal
and uh, here's our vision of how the house
can be renovated and preserved.
A fusion of historic splendor and modern luxury
while keeping this magnificent estate intact.
All while delivering one of the finest golf courses
in New England.
Please.
Thank you.
What is going on?
This is not what we discussed.
It's fine.
Everything is gonna be fine.
You'll see. Just wait until tomorrow.
And you'll still get your finder's fee, I promise.
Oh I hope you know what you're doing.
More and more people
are visiting the town of Newton lately,
making this a unique business opportunity for you.
But it's more than that.
I spent all my summers here as a girl
and it was the happiest time of my life.
I'd like others to experience that, too.
Which is why I'd like to make this a condition of the sale.
And on that note, let me show you
where you could plan to put the back nine.
And at our ball tonight you'll get a glimpse of
what life was like here in the Gilded Age.
Looking forward to it.
[phone rings]
I hate to interrupt your fairytale
but I'm trying to round up
all of the trustees for your conference call later
but everyone's in different time zones.
One's traveling in Dubai, another in Singapore...
I'll keep you posted.
Great.
I'm just juggling a few things here but I'll be ready.
(Duncan): Lucy, the caterers are here I need your help!
Sounds like a gentleman caller awaits.
I have to get ready for the ball.
Have fun, and I'll give you one hour heads up
before your call so that you can get settled.
Perfect.
Thanks, Josephine.
Bye.
[classical music plays] ♪
I would have invited you by sending a letter
but I was worried that it would take too...
You look amazing.
You look pretty nice yourself.
Thanks. I um, I borrowed this from Randall.
I'm feeling a little overdressed.
Don't. It suits you.
Shall we?
May I introduce, our hosts for the evening,
Lucy and Duncan of Wycliff House.
[applause]
Lucy, aren't you a vision?
Oh, your aunt would be so happy
there's dancing in the ballroom again.
Thank you, Eleanor.
You know, I would take this over some stuffy donor's
cocktail party any day.
I don't see Niven.
Lucy, it's time.
Your aunt always opened the gala with a few words.
Hey, thanks for coming.
Hey.
Thank you all for coming tonight.
Before our evening begins I want to share with you
something my Aunt Grace always told me.
How her grandfather-in-law, Henry Wycliff,
felt that this house was for everyone.
Here the gardener might find himself at dinner
eating peach pie next to President Grover Cleveland.
Henry opened his doors to all
and my Aunt Grace would be so happy to know
that we're keeping that spirit alive tonight.
I'm not sure I can follow in my Aunt Grace's footsteps
but I will try my best.
And on that note, let the first dance begin.
[applause]
You ready?
Ready as I'll ever be.
You ok?
Everyone is staring.
You're right, but I think they're staring at me.
Wondering how I got such a beautiful dance partner.
[classical music playing] ♪
So you're due back in London next week.
Well, I suppose every good fairytale
has to have an ending.
Maybe.
Being back here, I've remembered some history.
What?
How happy I used to be here.
How happy I am now.
[phone alert]
What is it?
Josephine's been texting. I missed it.
Sorry, Duncan.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
[sheep baas]
Josephine.
I am so sorry I missed your call.
It was so noisy here I couldn't hear the phone ring.
Lucy, are you ready?
Yeah. For when?
Uh... for now?
Your conference call with the trustees?
[baaing]
Hi everybody.
Uh, Lucy, is that a sheep behind you?
Yep.
And now I'd like to talk you through some numbers.
How'd it go?
Honestly... not great.
I'm sorry.
Between the sheep, the music,
and keeping them waiting an hour,
it was kind of a disaster.
[laughs]
But the good news is at least I can finally relax now.
How about a dance?
That sounds great.
Thank you for a truly wonderful evening.
Let me read over your proposal and run the numbers
and I'll have an answer for you by 8:30 tomorrow morning.
Good night.
Good night. After you.
No pressure.
No pressure at all.
8:30, right on time.
Duncan, whatever happens,
I really wanna thank you
for trying to do something noble here
and meeting me halfway.
I would say we make a pretty great team.
Great party last night.
And I went over the numbers afterwards.
I like the property.
Like the views, like the town.
But I'm a straight shooter.
I'm afraid restoring this estate to its former glory
would simply costs too much.
This place likely needs updated plumbing, mechanical,
electrical, and other things
we'd only be able to guess at right now.
So for a full and modern restoration,
I'm sorry, I'm afraid the numbers just don't work.
The most cost-effective solution would be
a simple tear-down
and building a brand new golf course from the ground up.
And I assume that's what you'd be proposing-
Sir, you're not seeing the bigger potential.
No, I'm sorry.
My heart says yes but the numbers say no.
And the numbers always win.
I'm afraid my answer is no.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Will you guys just excuse us for a moment, please?
Let me walk you to your car.
Thank you.
(Hannah): Duncan, I told you this would happen.
I delivered you a buyer on a silver platter and all you had
to do was go along with the plan.
I told Niven that you would be
presenting him with a golf course.
And we gave him one. And more.
Look, Lucy and I thought that-
You and Lucy?
You promised to get Lucy on board.
Not throw me overboard.
Look, you said it yourself.
It was fine to tear down the estate if that's what it took
to make the sale.
Yes, yes, I said it was fine to tear down the estate,
but now I think we have a better option.
Which Niven doesn't want.
Ok, look. We have about a day to sell Niven
on the plan that he expected.
I suggest that you come up with something to change his mind.
[door slams]
Just give me a second.
Lucy!
So you're still fine tearing down the entire place?
Were you- were you just snooping on me?
Echo-y halls, remember?
Yeah, I uh- I promised Hannah that I'd try to convince you
to sell to Niven.
To level the estate for a golf course.
Well, it just- it felt like the most practical plan at the time-
Practical.
Again, more proof we were never right for each other.
I don't know why I'm so surprised, Duncan.
You always do what's right for you.
Wait, that's not... Lucy...
Lucy.
[phone rings]
Isabelle. I am so sorry about last night.
Why would you need to apologize?
Well, after the whole teleconference fiasco.
Yes, well, Lucy, your spreadsheets spoke
for themselves.
So I hope you're getting a chance to relax
because when you get back
you'll have some big shoes to step into.
Which shoes?
Specifically mine.
The trustees voted to approve you.
You're kidding.
There'll be a boost in salary, of course.
That's wonderful.
Yes, and we'll discuss it all on Monday
when you're back in London.
You need an answer now?
Lucy, perhaps you don't understand.
The trustees approved you.
You got the job you wanted.
The one a million people would kill for.
Yes.
No, um... of course, I'm as happy as...
As Alexander when he conquered Egypt in 332 B.C.?
Yes.
No, exactly.
I gladly accept the job, Isabelle.
Thank you.
And I will see you tomorrow when I fly back to London.
Good.
Bye-bye.
Oh, Lucy. You're up early.
I was wondering if you could give me a ride to the airport?
Oh. Of course.
I didn't know you were going back to England so soon.
Honestly, neither did I.
Well, um, just let me finish up here and I'll get my coat
and I'll be right with you.
Ok.
Marcus, we got a problem.
I'm really gonna miss this place.
And you'll be missed in Newton.
So how long is your flight back?
Door to door about 10 hours but uh,
I brought some reading.
Aunt Grace's diary.
I thought I'd take it back with me as a keepsake.
I think Grace would have liked that.
Goodbye, Lucy.
Goodbye.
Something wrong, Duncan?
You usually wolf down my Monte Cristo sandwich
in two seconds flat.
Niven flies off in about an hour and I need to finish this pitch.
You know, Eleanor just called
to tell me Lucy left for the airport.
She left?
Headstrong as always.
Who's the headstrong one here?
And proud, as well.
You think I'm being proud?
She won't even give me a chance to explain.
You let her go once.
Are you gonna let her slip through your fingers again?
What choice do I have?
Go stop her.
I don't think she wants to see me right now.
You know, your dad and I were good friends.
If he was here I'm pretty sure what he'd say.
What's that?
Being caretaker of the estate
was more than just changing lightbulbs.
Your dad thought he was a caretaker of something precious.
He knew some things were worth saving.
Randall? I've got a job for you.
Lucy, Lucy, hey wait!
Duncan, what're you doing here?
I need to talk to you.
I couldn't let you go back to London again
without you understanding.
I never wanted to let you go that last summer.
I know.
I... I read Aunt Grace's journal
and her descriptions of how you waited for me
every summer before I arrived
and how sad you were every summer after I left.
I need you to give me one more chance.
A chance for what?
I've been working on this proposal for Niven.
It's a long shot but I think he might just go for it.
Would you just postpone your flight for one more day?
I don't know, Duncan.
You were right, it does seem a little impractical.
Letting you go is the most practical decision
that I have ever made.
It's also the worst decision of my entire life.
Now I'm asking you to trust me.
Please.
What did you have in mind?
I will tell you all about it on the way back.
But right now I believe we have a billionaire to catch.
Ok.
Right, no. I understand.
Mr. Niven's time is incredibly limited.
Ok. We will certainly try.
Thank you so much.
Yeah.
Bye-bye.
Ok, so Niven is flying out to Aspen to meet his grandkids
but his assistant said that we might be able to catch him
before he checks out of his hotel and heads to the airport
but he's leaving very soon.
You my ride?
Yes sir. That I am.
(Lucy): Shoot, it's the festival. I forgot.
(Duncan): It's the last day. We'll have to go on foot.
(Lucy): Alright.
Oh, wow. We gotta hurry.
Ok, come on. Follow me.
Excuse me.
Excuse us.
Excuse me.
Oh, this is impossible.
Sorry.
Listen, young man, I've got a plane waiting for me.
I just can't figure it out.
It's never happened before.
I probably just flooded the engine.
I'll have it up and running in no time.
Hey, Duncan, hold up. Come here.
How much?
Ah, look at that.
Ready to go.
Unless, do you wanna grab a bite?
I know a great restaurant nearby.
Just drive, please.
Right.
Mr. Niven!
Do you have just a minute or two?
Look, I appreciate your efforts but you need to understand that
I'm not in the habit of reconsidering an offer
I've already turned down.
Right, but we're not talking about a purchase anymore,
we're talking about a small seed investment.
Less risk for you, much more return.
Now, you told us that your heart said yes
but the numbers said no, right?
Well, now I think you'll find the numbers say yes.
I was able to re-work some of the renovation costs
and save us some money so after an initial investment
we can renovate as we go funded solely by profits.
It's all in here.
I'll look at it on the plane.
But even assuming your numbers add up why would
I want to invest in a historical resort?
For a reason you can't put a price on.
Preserving your legacy.
You're a grandfather, right?
Ok, well how do you want your grandkids
to remember their grandpa?
As the generous man who put them through college.
[laughs]
My aunt used to tell me stories about another generous man.
A railroad baron named Henry Wycliff
who was a very wealthy man
but he also wanted everyone around him
to live rich lives, too.
He built this whole town. Its parks, its library.
His spirit is everywhere here.
You can see for yourself. It's all in here.
People still remember his generosity
and if you have the vision to help preserve his legacy
then maybe in 100 years from now
people will be remembering you with the same fondness.
That's the great thing about history.
It lasts forever.
I'll be in touch.
Let's go.
I just got off the phone with Hannah.
I think you may have just sold him on it.
Well, convincing donors was my job.
Was?
I realized something.
My future isn't in some office
five stories above the exhibits I love
doing spreadsheets.
My future is here.
So you'll stay?
This is where I belong.
My home is here and so is my heart.
Great, thank you.
[sighs]
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
So how does it feel to have your architectural office
in your own house?
My house?
Wait a second, I thought this was your house.
[laughs]
It's our house.