A Royal Scandal Page #6

It's quite a responsibility to suddenly find

yourself in charge of the Palace Guards.

I imagine the issues involved must be terrific.

And the decisions you have to make.

On Monday, will the guards wear

a white uniform or a blue uniform?

On Saturday, will they march

with or without plumes in their helmets?

- Anna, you're being cruel.

- And I'm going to be crueller, much crueller.

- How does it feel to be Her Majesty's new toy?

- Anna!

Be sure you're always amusing.

Always have a funny story to tell her.

And don't forget, you're expected to have

every bit of gossip at your fingertips.

What a wonderful career!

When you came here, you were a soldier.

You were a man.

Someone I could respect. Someone I could love.

Someone I did love.

And now you're a puppet. A plaything.

Oh, what a fool you are.

I can't even hate you.

I just feel sorry for you.

- Good morning, Anna.

- Good morning, Your Majesty.

Good morning, Colonel.

How are my Palace Guards today?

- In excellent order, Your Majesty.

- Very gratifying.

- About your report. We'll finish it this afternoon.

- Thank you, Your Majesty.

If only one werert always interrupted.

One can't concentrate on anything.

I know, we'll go for a drive in the country.

Yes, there's the most lovely spot.

Yes, Anna, I'd like to wear something light,

something appropriate.

I feel like being rural this afternoon.

I'll let you select something for me.

She has such good taste.

- Thank you, Your Majesty.

- That's all, Anna.

And now, Colonel, we must go over the plans

for the parade next week.

- Good morning, darling.

- Good morning, Your Majesty.

I don't think I heard you right.

- Good morning, Catherine.

- That's better.

And now, Alexei, about this afternoon.

There'll be no ladies-in-waiting,

no adjutants, just the two of us.

We'll have a little picnic, huh?

What's the matter, Alexei? What is it?

Please listen to me, Your Majesty. Catherine.

- I'm a soldier.

- And a very good one.

That's why I made you

Commander of the Palace Guards.

Yes, I know, but I'm a different kind of soldier.

Don't misunderstand me.

I'll be grateful till the end of my life, but...

Alexei, has someone been putting ideas

into your head?

No, of course not. But I just feel I belong back

in the field, where I can do something important.

- So, guarding your empress is unimportant.

- No, there's no greater responsibility, but...

I don't think I was born to be amusing

at the dinner table.

I'm not good at telling funny stories.

- Did I ever suggest you become court jester?

- No.

- Then who did?

- Well, I...

Oh, Alexei. You are hurting me.

I thought at last I'd found the one person

who could help me with the terrific problems.

I wanted you to be my advisor.

Someone who would give me counsel

without any selfish motives.

I was so happy when yesterday you said

something should be done for the people.

- I didn't think you listened.

- I remember every word.

- You heard what I said about the peasants?

- How can you ask?

I thought of nothing else but peasants.

Peasants, peasants and peasants.

I'm glad I made an impression, Catherine.

The peasants deserve it. They are good.

- The backbone of the nation.

- Yes, there's nothing like a good peasant.

They're the pillars of your throne,

but taken advantage of.

- If only we could do something for them.

- We are going to do something for them.

And you're going to do it. And right away.

- Thank you, Catherine. I could kiss you for that.

- Well, do it.

At last, a peasant comes into his own.

Where shall I go? What am I going to do?

Oh, well, now let me see. Um... Er... Go to

the Ministry of the Interior. Get all the facts.

How many peasants do we have?

Why do we have so many peasants?

Why do we have so much trouble

with the peasants? Go and ask.

- That'll keep you busy until this afternoon.

- Catherine, this can't be done in one morning.

- This may keep me busy for months.

- That's wonderful, darling. Now...

go and look after the peasants.

Wake up! Wake up! A fine Chancellor!

England, Austria, France are awake,

the whole world's awake,

and our foreign policy takes a nap

in the middle of the day!

- Your Majesty...

- Shut up!

- Have you been giving advice to the Colonel?

- No, Your Majesty.

Now, look here, and don't deny it.

- Someone's been putting ideas in his head.

- Deny it?

I quite agree with Your Majesty.

If the Colonel has any ideas in his head,

someone must have put them there.

Shut up! Find out who it is.

I want to know every conversation the Colonel

has had since he came here. Every word!

- I want you to check up on everybody.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

And I'll have everybody check up on you.

Mercy, Your Majesty! Mercy!

I've a wife. I have children. Seven children!

Get up!

How dare you molest me in this way!

Kneeling down on the dusty floor

in that new uniform!

That's not your uniform, it's my uniform!

It's only lent to you!

Look what you've done to my trousers!

How dare you molest Her Majesty! You have

committed an offence. You are under arrest.

- Shut up!

- Thank you, Your Majesty.

Come with me.

Your face is very familiar.

- I've seen you before, haven't I?

- Yes, Your Majesty. At the east gate.

For ten years,

I had the honour to salute Your Majesty.

- Then, three days ago...

- What did you do?

- I didn't do it. He just got in.

- Oh, you mean Colonel Chernoff?

Please, Your Majesty,

don't let them take me away from the east gate.

They're going to punish me, degrade me.

Your Majesty, nobody could have done more.

I threw him out. I kicked him out.

I pleaded to him as a brother officer.

Yes, I even refused to send so much

as a message to his fiance in the palace.

You only did your duty.

- What did you say? Fiance?

- Yes, Your Majesty.

- In the palace?

- Yes, Your Majesty.

I bet your pardon, Excellency.

Her Majesty wants to see you. Immediately.

- What's the matter?

- I don't know.

I've never seen her that angry.

I'm sorry, Anna, but you'd better hurry.

She knows.

I don't understand it.

I thought I'd covered every possible source.

I must be getting old.

Your Majesty sent for me?

Oh, it's nothing important.

It just seems that I can't get along

without my little Anna.

Tell me, Anna.

I'm not sure, do you like this dress?

- Very much, Your Majesty.

- You do?

Well, if you say so. You have such good taste.

What's the matter, Anna?

You don't look yourself.

- Maybe I put on too much rouge?

- No, on the contrary. You look pale. Very pale.

- Is anything wrong?

- No, Your Majesty.

Come, Anna, don't be afraid. Tell me the truth.

- Am I, by any chance, overworking you?

- Of course not, Your Majesty.

Well, that's very sweet, but...

I'm afraid I've been selfish.

You do everything for me, while I...

- Is this the ring you admire so much?

- Yes, Your Majesty.

- Well, it's yours.

- Oh, Your Majesty, I couldn't!

Anna, it is your empress's wish

that you take this ring.

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