TSAR'S DAUGHTER MARIE（17）

INT. DRAWING ROOM -- GOVERNOR'S HOUSE -- NIGHT

The Romanovs and their retainers take tea together in a mourning and depressing atmosphere. Alexandra reclines on a sofa, her eyes red and swollen. The four grand duchesses sit beside their mother. Tatiana caresses her mother's hands.  Nicholas and Kobylinsky stand by.

NICHOLAS

They should've told us where they're gonna take us.

KOBYLINSKY

From my talk to Commissar Yakovlev, he's most likely taking you to Moscow.

NICHOLAS

I guess they want to force me to sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. But I won't. I'd rather cut off my right hand than sign such a treacherous treaty.

ALEXANDRA

I can't let the Emperor go alone. They want to separate him from his family, as they did before. I ought to be at his side in the time of trial.

KOBYLINSKY

Trial? What trial? Nonsense. There's not going to be any trial. From Moscow, you'll be taken out of the country.

ALEXANDRA

The boy is still so ill. Oh, God. What ghastly torture. For the first time in my life, I have no idea what to do. I've always felt inspired whenever I had to take a decision. Until now God has shown me the way. However, right now, I can't hear His instructions. I can't even think.

TATIANA

Mama, if Papa has to go, whatever, something must be decided. You cannot go on tormenting yourself like this.

OLGA

Since Alexei is too sick to go, we must decide who will go with Papa and who will stay here to take care of Alexei.

ALEXANDRA

Yes, the best way is that I'll go with your father, and you sisters stay here to take good care of Alexei.

MARIE

Mama, I want to be with you.

ALEXANDRA

Okay, you go with me, dear.

ANASTASIA

I'll go with you too, Mama.

ALEXANDRA

No, sweetheart, you stay with Olga and Tatiana.

ANNA

Your Majesty, let me take care of you on the journey. I'm so frightened of the Bolsheviks. I don't know what they will do to us.

ALEXANDRA

Okay, you may accompany me.

INT. CORRIDOR -- DAWN

At the time of departure, Nicholas shakes hands with his retainers who remain. The retainers file past Alexandra and kiss her hand.

NICHOLAS

All will be well, I hope.

Alexandra extends her hand to Nagorny.

ALEXANDRA

Take good care of Alexei, please.

NAGORNY

Yes, I will, Your Majesty.

EXT. STREETS -- TOBOLSK -- DAWN

In a gust of snow and wind, Vasily and his mounted soldiers gallop down the road, the hoofs of their HORSES beating rhythmically. A group of CARRIAGES follow, rushing towards the lighted house.

EXT. GOVERNOR'S HOUSE -- DAWN

In front of the gate, the soldiers stop their horses neighing and snoring. The Siberia carts pull up in the yard.

Soldiers and servants trudge through the yard, carrying heavy luggage.

Nicholas steps out of the house, wearing his military officer's greatcoat, followed by Alexandra and Marie, wearing long coats of Persian lamb.

Olga, Tatiana and Anastasia, standing on the porch, watch their parents leave, sobbing and making the sign of the cross over their parents and sister.

INT. BEDROOM -- GOVERNOR'S HOUSE -- DAWN

In the darkness, Alexei lies in bed. Tears come to his widely open eyes. The dog Jemmy licks his face gently.

EXT. GOVERNOR'S HOUSE -- DAWN

Vasily leads the couple and their daughter towards the carts. Nicholas and Marie help Alexandra climb into the second cart. Then Marie climbs in and sits beside her mother.

While Nicholas intends to enter the same cart, Vasily stops him and leads him to the first cart.

VASILY

You must ride with me in the first cart.

As Nicholas climbs in the first cart, Vasily stands at attention and salutes.

Dr. Botkin, wearing fur-lined coat, rides in the third cart, followed by the fourth cart taking other servants: valet Terenty Chemodurov, maid Anna Demidova and footman Ivan Sednev.

Victor, as a member of the cavalry regiment, trots along, escorting the carts. Marie looks at Victor over her shoulder from the speeding cart. They stare at each other, while the horses gallop and the carts dash to the darkness.