TSAR'S DAUGHTER MARIE（29）

【原創電影劇本英文版】

INT. SALON -- EKATERINBURG -- NIGHT

A group of MONARCHIST OFFICERS look over a map and discuss their plans.

MONARCHIST 1

The revolt of the Czechoslovaks menaces the Bolsheviks more and more seriously.

MONARCHIST 2

The Slavic army is eighty kilometers from Ekaterinburg, and the Red Army soldiers are not able to effectively resist.

The LEADING OFFICER dictates a letter while his SECRETARY writes it down.

OFFICER

As an officer of the Russian Army who can die for Your Majesty, I beseech you be ready all the time, day and night, to cooperate with our rescue plan. Please provide a sketch of your rooms and other useful information to us. You must give your written answers to the same person who deliver you this note. One of you should not sleep between two and three o'clock at all the following dawns...

Then the letter is concealed in the lid of a jar of cream. The jar is placed among the other supplies of food in a basket.

INT. KITCHEN -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY

A NUN from the nearby convent delivers a BASKET of provisions to the kitchen. She places the basket on the table and leaves.

A guard snatches the basket and rushes out of the kitchen.

INT. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE -- DAY

The BASKET is placed on Avdayev's desk. Avdayev takes out from the basket bottles of milk, cream, jam and eggs. He discovers a piece of folded PAPER hidden in the lid of a jar.

INT. CHEKA HEADQUARTERS -- HOTEL AMERIKA -- DAY

Sasha serves the tea round the table at a meeting of the Ekaterinburg Cheka. Avdayev submits the letter of the Monarchist Officer to Goloshchokin. Goloshchokin reviews the letter and then hands it over to his secretary.

GOLOSHCHOKIN

Copy it. Make changes and compose it to elicit answer from the prisoners.

A Cheka member seals the letter back into the lid of the jar and places the jar in the basket.

INT. KITCHEN -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY

Kharitonov shows the four grand duchesses how to knead flour and bake bread and cakes. Kharitonov takes a jar of cream out of the basket. Tatiana opens the jar and discovers the letter.

INT. NICHOLAS' BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Tatiana writes answers on the bottom and the reverse side of the original letter. Nicholas and Alexandra dictate.

NICHOLAS

...From the corner of the balcony five windows face the street, two the square, all glued shut...

ALEXANDRA

...The Little One is still sick in bed and cannot walk at all. Every disturbance causes him pain...

NICHOLAS

...A week ago, because of the anarchists, we were supposed to leave for Moscow at night. It is important not to risk anything without being absolutely sure of the results. We're almost all the time under watchful observation...

The letter is concealed in the lid of an empty jar among crockery and cans in the basket.

INT. COMMANDANT'S OFFICE -- DAY

Moshkin examines the basket and submits the hidden letter to Avdayev. Avdayev reads the letter and hands it back to Moshkin.

AVDAYEV

Send it to the Cheka.

EXT. GARDEN -- DAY

Alexandra sits under the bushes, watching her husband and daughters pace back and forth. Loenid wheels Alexei up and down the garden. Tatiana approaches Avdayev and nods to him.

TATIANA

Commandant, the weather is so hot. It's terribly stuffy in our rooms, particularly at night. May a window be opened to provide ventilation?

AVDAYEV

No, impossible.

BOTKIN

May we remain in the garden, sir, beyond the allotted hour, for more air?

AVDAYEV

Okay. As the weather is so nice, you may remain here for an additional half hour.

INT. IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY

Beloborodov and Goloshchokin lead a group of officers examine the house, walking from room to room and noting what they encounter. They stare at the windows for quite a while in silence. The prisoners look at them passing through the rooms.

INT. NICHOLAS' BEDROOM -- DAY

Avdayev supervises a soldier open the single window of the bedroom.

INT. NICHOLAS' BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Tatiana moves her bed next to Alexei's. Alexandra stands by the window, inhaling deeply.

ALEXANDRA

Such joy, delicious air, and one window no longer whitewashed.

TATIANA

Mama, I'd like to be nearby, so I can help Alexei in any rapid evacuation.

ALEXNDRA

You're so thoughtful, dear. We anticipate a rescue attempt, even it's too risky.