Anna Karenina Page #14

INT. DRESSING ROOM, SAME TIME--NIGHT

Karenin looks at the clock-- nearly midnight-- and closes his book. He

blows out the candle. He comes to the boudoir announcing himself with a

smile.

KARENIN:

Time for bed!

INT. BOUDOIR, SAME TIME--NIGHT

Karenin comes to put his hand on Anna's shoulder.

ANNA:

I'm writing to Dolly . . . and to Kitty.

KARENIN:

You are . . . good.

Anna shakes her head and clasps his hand.

61

INT. BEDROOM, SAME TIME--NIGHT

Candles each side of the bed. Karenin cracks his knuckles. He unlocks a

drawer and opens a tin box lying in the drawer.

Anna, disrobing, registers these sounds.

KARENIN:

What are they saying in Moscow about the

new Statute?

ANNA:

What new Statute?

Karenin takes a contraceptive sheath, made from animal intestine (re-

usable) from the tin.

KARENIN:

The new Statute I carried in Council.

Anna blows her candle out and gets into bed.

ANNA:

No one mentioned it.

KARENIN:

Ah. Really?

He comes to bed in his nightshirt.

KARENIN (CONT'D)

Here it made quite a sensation.

He gets into bed. Anna waits dead-eyed. Karenin blows his candle out.

62

INT. KITTY'S ROOM, SHCHERBATSKY HOUSE,

MOSCOW--DAY

Kitty, a hollow-eyed version of herself, in a demure nightdress, sits upright

on a chaise longue with her legs stretched out. The Family Doctor deferen-

tially removes one of her slippers as though it were an intimate garment.

FAMILY DOCTOR:

Forgive me, Princess, but I must . . .

With a silver "fork" the Doctor tests the sole of her foot for a reflex. Kitty

is miserably going along with a farce she despises.

INT. OUTSIDE KITTY'S ROOM, SAME TIME--DAY

The Prince and Princess are hovering. The Princess flutters with anxiety,

the Prince is in a temper.

PRINCE SHCHERBATSKY

Am I the only one who knows what's wrong

with her?

But a Celebrity Doctor, as shiny as his own gold watch which he is check-

ing, is bearing down on them, riding over a Footman's attempt to announce

him.

PRINCESS SHCHERBATSKY

Oh, thank God, doctor--my friends say

you're the only one who can save her!

CELEBRITY DOCTOR

Possibly, Princess, possibly! At your service,

Your Excellencies. Where is the patient?

63

INT. KITTY'S ROOM, SAME TIME--DAY

Kitty is sobbing with shame: the Celebrity Doctor has stripped her to the

waist and is tapping her chest. The Family Doctor can't bear it and excuses

himself.

CELEBRITY DOCTOR

Come, come, Princess, we are not backward

people--I handle naked bodies every day.

Deep breath now . . .

INT. OUTSIDE KITTY'S ROOM, SAME TIME--DAY

The Family Doctor and the parents are in a huddle. The Prince is apoplectic.

PRINCE SHCHERBATSKY

By God. I'll challenge the scoundrel!

FAMILY DOCTOR:

It's the modern way . . .

PRINCESS SHCHERBATSKY

(to the Prince)

You're not a doctor!

FAMILY DOCTOR:

Her symptoms . . . loss of appetite, fast

PULSE--

PRINCE SHCHERBATSKY

Well, whose pulse wouldn't be fast if some

brute of a--

The Celebrity Doctor comes briskly out of Kitty's room, checking his watch.

64

CELEBRITY DOCTOR

Nervous palpitations. We must treat the

nerves. A tubercular cavity is suspected, too

soon to tell. Soden water every two hours. I

must see her again tomorrow.

(HE BOWS)

Prince! Princess!

He's gone. The Prince enters Kitty's room.

INT. KITTY'S ROOM, SAME TIME--DAY

Kitty is humiliated and triple-wrapped against the violation of her bosom.

PRINCE SHCHERBATSKY

Don't you fret, my little Kate! You'll wake

up one fine morning and say to yourself--"I

feel well and happy and I'll go out for a

walk with Papa!"

The Prince is mortified when Kitty's sobs redouble.

INT. ART EXHIBITION, ST. PETERSBURG--DAY

The social set Anna now moves in is the brilliant circle with connections

Rate this script:3.0 / 1 vote