Anna Karenina Page #15

to the Court on one hand and to the demi-monde of artists on the other. A

leading light of this set is Princess Betsy Tverskaya, a rich society beauty.

Betsy's immediate circle includes Tuskevich, her "admirer."

Anna lifts her eyes to see Vronsky in front of her, talking to Betsy. Vronsky

sees Anna and bows. She acknowledges him and kisses Betsy, and moves

on, studying the next picture. Vronsky watches Anna move on. Betsy c*cks

an eye at him.

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INT. PIANO RECITAL, ST. PETERSBURG--DAY

A few rows of chairs in someone's reception room, a mixed audience of guests,

a flashy pianist . . . Betsy with a "toy" dog on her lap, Tuskevich on one

side, Anna on the other.

The dog yaps and sneezes. Betsy hands the dog to Tuskevich, who goes to

exit with the dog. As Tuskevich leaves, Vronsky comes in. Anna sees him.

She turns back to the piano. Betsy glances at her.

EXT. PARK, ST. PETERSBURG--DAY

Anna and Betsy, on a bright snow-white day, are being driven through a

park in Betsy's smart equipage . . . towards a horseman walking towards

them:
Vronsky salutes the little carriage as it trots by him. Anna keeps

looking straight ahead. Betsy acknowledges Vronsky's salute.

BETSY:

I want to give a small dinner before the opera.

Is there anyone you would like me to ask?

ANNA:

Yes . . . Yes, the Metropolitan Bishop of St.

Petersburg.

Betsy laughs.

INT. STAIRS AND ENTRANCE HALL, KARENIN

HOUSE--NIGHT

Annushka puts Anna's opera cloak over her shoulders, while Korney stands

ready with Karenin's cloak and opera hat. Karenin comes down the stairs

to join Anna. Kapitonich stands ready to let them out.

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KARENIN:

Countess Lydia tells me you haven't been to

one of her evenings since you returned.

ANNA:

The last one was to meet a missionary, the

one before was for a lecture on the union of

the Greek and Roman churches.

(CLIMBS DOWN)

I'm sorry--I know you're fond of her. Come

on, or we'll be late.

Kapitonich opens the door to let them out.

INT. "FRENCH THEATRE," ST. PETERSBURG--NIGHT

This is a small theatre with a "promenade" area where a group of Guards

Officers of high and low rank mix together to enjoy the chanteuses, the

comedians and the can-can girls. Vronsky is with his Commanding Officer,

Colonel Demin.

DEMIN:

Here's the thing, Vronsky. A posting has

come up and there's a promotion in it for

you.

VRONSKY:

Thank you, sir.

DEMIN:

The garrison in Tashkent.

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VRONSKY:

Tashkent? But . . . I would like to stay in

Peter, sir, if you don't mind.

DEMIN:

I don't mind. But your mother . . .

The can-can music starts up, to many cheers. Demin claps enthusiastically.

Vronsky is angry.

INT. OPERA HOUSE, ST. PETERSBURG--NIGHT

An attendant takes Vronsky's coat and gives him a token for it. There is

a performance going on within, resolving into applause as he mounts the

stairs.

Karenin, an escapee looking at his pocket watch, comes down the stairs, goes

down past Vronsky, looks back at him for a moment, and continues.

INT. BETSY'S OPERA BOX--NIGHT

Vronsky enters the box as the performance prepares to resume. It is the

Tverskoy box, occupied by Princess Betsy and her husband, who is likeable,

overweight and, strangely enough, looking at an antiquarian book; wear-

ing white gloves. Vronsky bows to them and sits down next to Betsy. He

takes her opera glasses and looks through them at the Karenin box.

BETSY:

You didn't come to my dinner.

VRONSKY:

I had to see my Commanding Officer.

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BETSY:

"She" didn't come either.

Vronsky watches Anna through the glasses. Countess Lydia Ivanovna is

next to her. Lydia is in her forties, sallow, no beauty, sincerely religious,

and determined.

INT. KARENIN OPERA BOX, SAME TIME--NIGHT

LYDIA:

. . . work never ceases for great men.

Your husband is a saint and we must all

cherish him for Russia's sake.

Anna winces a smile.

LYDIA (CONT'D)

I hope you can come on afterwards--Father

Kristof's report on the Chinese mission will

be with lantern slides.

ANNA:

I'm expected at the Tverskoys.

LYDIA:

No doubt, but I'm sure Princess Betsy can

wait for you, my dear.

Anna glances at Betsy's box and sees Vronsky there. The opera resumes.

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