Anna Karenina Page #13

The train arrives. Vronsky gets down from the train and starts to walk

towards Anna's carriage. His German valet, Franz, runs up to him (from

second class).

VRONSKY:

Take the luggage home.

Franz runs back the other way. Vronsky walks on, then stops when he

sees Karenin waiting on the platform, smiling and going forward to hand

Anna down the steps. Kapitonich enters the carriage. Vronsky hesitates.

ANNA:

(ANXIOUS)

Is Serozha all right?

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KARENIN:

Oh, is that all I get? Yes, he's quite well.

Vronsky steps forward. Anna knows he's there. She angles herself to avoid

looking at him.

VRONSKY:

Did you have a good night?

He bows to Karenin.

ANNA:

Yes, quite comfortable. Count Vronsky.

Karenin extends a hand indifferently then dismisses Vronsky, drawing

Anna with him.

KARENIN:

I have to get back to the Committee . . .

He walks Anna away.

KARENIN (CONT'D)

Well--were you a success?

ANNA:

I? Oh--Dolly and Stiva . . . yes, I think

so . . .

Vronsky watches them go.

57

EXT. VRONSKY'S APARTMENT, ST. PETERSBURG--

DAY:

A snowy St. Petersburg street. Vronsky arrives home by cab. He has a flat

in an old apartment block.

INT. VRONSKY'S FLAT, ST. PETERSBURG, SAME

TIME--DAY

Vronsky rings the doorbell. A Servant opens the door. A male voice shouts

"If it's someone demanding money, don't let him in!"

VRONSKY:

I'll announce myself.

Veronsky enters the main room. The occupant of the flat is a 2nd Lieuten-

ant, Petritsky, wearing his greatcoat over shirt and trousers.

PETRITSKY:

Vronsky! The master himself. Baroness,

coffee from the new coffeepot for Count

Vronsky.

Petritsky indicates a pretty young woman in satin.

PETRITSKY (CONT'D)

I hope you are pleased by this ornament to

your quarters.

Vronsky bows and kisses her fingers.

BARONESS:

I'll be off home if I'm in the way.

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VRONSKY:

You're at home where you are, Baroness.

BARONESS:

Ah!--Pierre, you never say such pretty

things to me. We were just discussing my

husband. He won't divorce me, you see. And

do you know why?

VRONSKY:

No.

BARONESS:

Because he likes eating off my family silver.

VRONSKY:

Ah.

BARONESS:

I want to bring an action. Just because I'm

supposed to be unfaithful, I don't see why I

have to eat off Pierre's crockery. Look at it.

VRONSKY:

It's my crockery.

PETRITSKY:

How was Moscow?

VRONSKY:

Provincial.

59

INT. SEROZHA'S BEDROOM, KARENIN HOUSE--

NIGHT:

Anna, her dress changed, lies on Serozha's bed, on her side, one arm under

his bedclothes scratching his back gently. He lies quietly on his stomach,

with his eyes closed, his face inches from hers. In the dim light of a night-

light she gazes at him for long moments.

SEROZHA:

(MUTTERS)

You've stopped.

She resumes scratching. He grunts contentedly.

SEROZHA (CONT'D)

(SLEEPILY)

Thank you for my present.

ANNA:

Sssh . . .

She kisses him and continues to lie there, gently scratching. He falls quickly

asleep. She removes her arm and restores his bedclothes.

INT. BEDROOM FLOOR, KARENIN HOUSE--NIGHT

There is a suite of rooms: the Bedroom connects to Anna's Boudoir/Dressing

Room; and thence to Karenin's small Sitting Room/Dressing Room, which

connects to the rest of the house. The rooms--like the whole house-- are lit

by gas lamps but also by candles at key points.

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INT. KARENIN'S DRESSING ROOM, SAME TIME--

NIGHT:

Korney, the Valet, gathers up a discarded shirt, etc. Karenin in a dressing

gown is reading in a comfortable chair, by a candle lamp. Korney leaves.

INT. BOUDOIR, SAME TIME--NIGHT

Anna is at her bureau. She frowns and tears up the letter she is writing.

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