Anna Karenina Page #16

ANNA:

Yes. In fact, I think I won't go to Betsy's.

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INT. TVERSKOY OPERA BOX, SAME TIME--NIGHT

Vronsky looks through Betsy's glasses.

BETSY:

You're caught.

VRONSKY:

I'm afraid I am becoming ridiculous.

INT. BETSY'S RECEPTION ROOMS, TVERSKOY

HOUSE--DAY

Discreet Footmen move chairs to accommodate the guests who move to join

one of the conversation circles that make a buzz in the room. Betsy sits by

the samovar with her little court, including Tuskevich. The Guests include

the Princess Myagkaya, stout, red-faced, outspoken, and two Society ladies,

Lisa Merkalova and "Anna's Friend."

Vronsky arrives.

LISA MERKALOVA:

Now, there's a phenomenon, look-- Anna's

shadow has arrived before Anna!

ANNA'S FRIEND

I'm Anna's friend . . . but this making-up-

one's-mind-to-it in public is not polite to a

distinguished man like Karenin.

PRINCESS MYAGKAYA

In my opinion Karenin is a fool, and Anna

is the best of us.

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LISA MERKALOVA:

And we all love you for your contrary opin-

ions, Princess.

Vronsky looks around. He knows everybody in the room.

BETSY:

Alexei . . . You look desperate. That's not

attractive.

VRONSKY:

I'm losing hope.

BETSY:

Hope of what? Persuading a virtuous

woman to break her marriage vows?

VRONSKY:

And how is Tuskevich?

BETSY:

That's not attractive either. Besides, I was

never virtuous.

VRONSKY:

No--you're right. She won't come. I'm

going home.

EXT. TVERSKOY HOUSE, ST. PETERSBURG--NIGHT

The Karenin coach arrives. It's Anna arriving at Betsy's. She enters the

house in almost unseemly haste. Several coaches are waiting.

71

INT. CAB, ST. PETERSBURG, SAME TIME--NIGHT

Vronsky, in a state, lets himself be carried along. Then he changes his mind.

He puts his head out of the window to shout to the Coachman.

VRONSKY:

Turn round!

INT. BETSY'S RECEPTION ROOMS, TVERSKOY

HOUSE--NIGHT

Anna enters. Faces turn to her. She glances around. She knows at once

that Vronsky isn't there. Betsy beckons to her across the room. Anna, self-

possessed, smiling, nodding to friends, pressing a hand held out to her,

offering the other hand to be kissed, glides through a crowd of Betsy's guests.

VOICES:

Wasn't Nilsson glorious? One sees that she

has studied Kaulbach, of course . . .

There's something Louis Quinze about

Tuskevich . . . as if he came with the

furniture . . .

Betsy is smoking elegantly. She kisses Anna.

BETSY:

He's gone. But you're just in time for the

surprise.

There is a series of minor explosions outside and the darkness out there turns

into an illuminated garden lit by fountains of fire, sprays of light. The

guests react with cries of pleasure and applause.

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Anna turns at once to the window near her, puts her face up against the

glass, putting her hands to her temples as if to see the illuminations better.

REVERSE:

Her self-possessed face, lit by fireworks, falls apart in misery.

The firework display continues for a short minute and is applauded. Betsy

acknowledges the congratulations and sycophancy which are her due. Foot-

men come through the room with trays of ices.

Anna is still at the window, unaware that there is only darkness outside.

In the room, Betsy notes the oddity: Anna alone with her back to the room.

REVERSE ON ANNA:

Anna opens her eyes. She is lost for a moment, perplexed.

vronsky (O.C.)

May I have the honour of bringing you an

ice?

Anna turns, understanding nothing.

VRONSKY (CONT'D)

Ices are being served.

ANNA:

I would prefer to try a cigarette.

She sits down. Vronsky takes out a cigarette case. He lights her cigarette.

She tries it and coughs.

73

VRONSKY:

(IN FRENCH)

Courage!

Anna smiles. Puffs delicately once.

ANNA:

Thank you.

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