A Royal Scandal Page #7

Anna, you really don't look well.

I really think you should take a rest.

Rest?

Oh, I see. Rest.

But, Your Majesty, I feel wonderful.

I've never felt better. I'm just bursting with health.

You're deceiving yourself, Anna.

Now, I'm speaking not as the empress,

but as one friend to another. You look terrible.

Whether you like it or not,

you're going to take a vacation.

A long, long vacation.

I'm overcome by Your Majesty's concern.

It proves that under that jewelled crown

and royal ermine,

there's a warm heart beating and beating...

and beating.

Thank you, Anna. Thank you.

But with Your Majesty's permission,

I don't think I look pale at all.

Anna, my mind is made up.

You look pale. Definitely pale.

Now, where would you like to go?

- Of course, you'd like to go home, wouldn't you?

- Not particularly, Your Majesty.

Anna, you surprise me.

- Here's a girl who has a chance to go home...

- If I may say so, it's all Your Majesty's fault.

Your Majesty's graciousness, Your Majesty's

benevolence, has really made this my home.

A home which I didn't even have at home,

so why should I want to go home?

Those are very affectionate words indeed, Anna,

but er...

after all, you do want to see your mother,

don't you? Your dear little mother?

- Not particularly, Your Majesty.

- You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

What kind of a girl are you?

I generously offer you a chance to go home

and see your dear little mother...

- Have I been mistaken in you all this time?

- But...

Anna, you're going home

and see your dear little mother.

And you're going to be very nice to her.

You're going to be a loving daughter.

That is my command.

If it is Your Majesty's command,

there is nothing I can do about it.

Oh, Anna, believe me, it's for the best.

I know what's good for you.

Not that I think I'm any more intelligent

than you, it's just that er...

well, as the years go by, one gets wiser

and er... after all, let's admit it,

I am a few years older than you.

Yes, I'm 33.

37, Your Majesty.

And he is 24.

Why, you little...!

Please, Your Majesty, you'll regret it!

It's your favourite vase.

May I most respectfully suggest

that you throw this one.

Is this really happening?

Are you defying your empress?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Down! Down on your knees!

For the sake of your family, I give you

one more chance. Beg my forgiveness.

Your Majesty, for the sake of my family,

I humbly beg your forgiveness.

But kneeling, sitting, standing or lying down,

he is still 24 and I am 20.

22! Get up!

Get out!

- No, stay here! Come here! Now, listen...

- Your Majesty...

- Shut up!

- I'm not going to shut up!

And I'm not going to listen.

You are going to listen for once!

As my monarch,

I have to pay you respect and reverence.

But if you were just a woman like me,

I would say to you

that Your Majesty's actions smell to heaven.

- I must be dreaming. I must be.

- You've been dreaming too long.

He's mine, and I won't give him up.

He's not in love with you.

He never was and never will be.

He's just dazzled by the throne.

When he embraces you,

he embraces the crown, and nothing else.

You think you can take him away from me.

But he'll come back to me, and stay with me,

because we love each other

and belong to each other.

Siberia. Siberia!

I'll send you to Siberia!

No, that's too good for you.

I'll put you in the coldest, darkest dungeon

of the Peter and Paul Fortress!

Where you'll never see the light of day again.

But before I do, I'm going to do something

your mother neglected to do.

I am going to give you a spanking,

box your ears and pull your hair!

- Your Majesty's pulling it right now.

- Oh, what am I to do with you?

You stupid, idiotic squirrel!

You pitiful little mouse!

I'm going to slap your face!

No.

No.

Guards!

Guards, come in!

Close the door.

Go to the dressing table.

Sit down.

Fix your hair.

Yes, you look pretty. Very pretty.

She's not to leave this room.

You're responsible for her.

Yes, Your Majesty.

- Alexei, darling.

- Oh, Catherine.

I have some facts about the peasants

that will delight you.

Put the peasants out of your mind for a second.

Alexei,

I told you that I was in need of an advisor.

Well, the moment's come.

I need your help and guidance.

- Your decision will by my decision.

- Thank you, Catherine.

I hope I justify your faith. Believe me, I...

- Catherine, you look pale.

- Do I?

- Tell me, what happened?

- Oh, Alexei.

I've been insulted.

It's too dreadful. I can't even repeat it.

I've been openly defied.

My actions smell to heaven.

Her very Majesty of Russia's been spat upon.

- Oh, Alexei.

- Catherine!

Catherine... Catherine, speak to me.

Speak to me, Catherine.

Where am I?

Oh. It's you, Alexei.

- What happened?

- Someone defied you. Insulted you.

Yes. Yes.

- Oh, let's forget it.

- No!

You said my decision would be yours.

Oh, please, Alexei. Let's be a little merciful.

I say death. Death, and nothing but death,

and torture them first!

- But I've abolished the torture chamber.

- Then let's restore it!

Alexei, for the last time, don't...

don't you really think we should forget it?

No! And that's final!

All right. But it's your doing, Alexei...

...not mine.

Come with me.

Wait outside.

Come in, Colonel.

Anna!

Well, Colonel,

I assume you've come to arrest me.

I was wrong. Her Majesty finally found

something important for you to do.

But, Anna, this is horrible.

Her Majesty accuses you of things I...

Well, I can't believe it!

Your Majesty,

you must have misunderstood Anna.

I did not, Colonel.

- Anna, you certainly didn't mean what you said.

- I did, Colonel.

You must be out of your mind.

Your Majesty, she must be out of her mind.

I beg you to be lenient.

It's your decision, Colonel.

If you think insulting the majesty of Russia

deserves leniency, I have no more to say.

Anna, help me. You must help me, Anna.

- Tell Her Majesty you regret what you said.

- Regret?

I said it before, and I'll say it again.

That Her Majesty's actions smell to heaven.

And I'm not so sure I'm right about the direction.

And furthermore...

Please don't listen to her, Your Majesty!

She's out of her mind!

- Anna, I'll protect you, I promise.

- You don't have to protect me! Let me go!

Anna, get hold of yourself!

Or you'll ruin yourself, your family.

You don't seem to realise that what you've done

is treason. People have been shot for less.

Don't worry, Alexei. She's going to live.

I won't even put her in prison.

No. Just let her go home,

where she can't hurt me any more.

Go home. Just go home.

That's all.

- Go home? I'll tell her!

- Don't get in any more trouble.

You must listen to me.

Believe me, I want to help you.

You help me? You can't even help yourself.

Just don't bother with me any more.

I don't even want to exist,

as far as you're concerned.

Goodbye, Colonel Chernoff.

Or maybe I should say General by now.

- Anna, please!

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