Anna Karenina Page #34

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EXT. SNOWY COUNTRYSIDE, POKROVSKOE, SAME

TIME--DAY

The sleigh brings Levin and Kitty home through deep snow all around. The

house comes into view.

SLEIGH:

They have been on honeymoon travels, attested by hotel labels on the lug-

gage. Kitty, eager and anxious, looks at the approaching house. Not too

bad. Levin takes her hand. She smiles at him, to calm him.

EXT. THE HOUSE, POKROVSKOE, SAME TIME--DAY

Agafia and Vasili come out on the porch. The house has been painted, the

window frames smartened up, and paper flowers are tied to the posts of

the porch. The sleigh pulls up. Levin carries Kitty through the snow to the

porch. Agafia bobs. Vasili bows.

LEVIN:

This is Agafia, and Vasili, the steward . . .

My wife, Ekaterina Alexandrovna Levin.

KITTY:

I am very pleased to meet you both.

Kuzma sidles by with a bow and goes to take the luggage from the sleigh.

LEVIN:

And that was Kuzma. Come inside!

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VASILI:

Careful--door's still a bit . . .

(to Levin's look)

it's all right, it'll be dry tomorrow . . .

INT. SITTING ROOM, POKROVSKOE, SAME TIME--

DAY:

Levin shows Kitty in. He is immensely relieved. It never looked better. At

the same time he realises that Agafia is agitated: a word in private.

LEVIN:

Is it all right?

Kitty nods, smiles gamely--it's not like home.

LEVIN (CONT'D)

Sit down a minute.

KITTY:

No--I want to see everything.

Agafia panics.

LEVIN:

A moment.

Levin follows Agafia out.

INT. STAIRS, POKROVSKOE, SAME TIME--DAY

Agafia follows Levin up the stairs. She is outraged.

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AGAFIA:

. . . and now I'm doing kitchen maid's

work because Nadya's parents won't let her

set foot in this house, and who can blame

them!--it's indecent!

INT. GUEST BEDROOM, POKROVSKOE, SAME TIME--

DAY:

Levin enters the small bedroom. Agafia waits outside.

Nikolai is in the bed-- wasted, near death. He lies in squalor. Masha is

wiping his face. She stands up at Levin's approach. Levin bends over Niko-

lai, presses his gaunt hand. Nikolai opens his eyes.

LEVIN:

It's me, Konstantin.

NIKOLAI:

Yes, good. The doctor here is useless--get

me a doctor from Moscow.

LEVIN:

Where did you go? I asked for you every-

where, when I was getting married.

Nikolai sighs and closes his eyes. Levin retreats, looks to Masha.

MASHA:

(WHISPERS)

I'm sorry . . . I couldn't leave him. I know

I've done wrong.

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LEVIN:

Yes. My wife . . . You can't stay now.

Levin goes outside to Agafia and closes the door.

INT. OUTSIDE GUEST BEDROOM, POKROVSKOE,

SAME TIME-- DAY

AGAFIA:

I couldn't go against Nikolai Dmitrich's

orders . . .

LEVIN:

Yes--yes . . . She's going.

An unwelcome thought strikes Levin.

LEVIN (CONT'D)

Did the doctor see her?

Agafia nods guiltily.

INT. SITTING ROOM, POKROVSKOE--DAY

Kitty has remained. Levin, in miserable agony, is sitting holding her

hand.

LEVIN:

I will nurse him with Agafia . . . The

woman will find somewhere in the village.

You won't see her. She knows it's impossible

for you to meet her. It is a torment to me

that I have brought you under the same roof

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as this unfortunate . . . this fallen . . . and in

your precious, in your delicate condition . . .

Kitty detaches herself abruptly and leaves the room. He hears her going

upstairs. After a moment, he follows.

INT. OUTSIDE GUEST BEDROOM, POKROVSKOE,

SAME TIME-- DAY

Kitty comes out of the Guest Bedroom.

KITTY:

Good. A clean nightshirt and sheets. A

towel and a clean pail of warm water. Ask

Agafia for vinegar, and to prepare a bed

somewhere for Masha. Wait.

Kitty goes back into the room and returns at once with a chamber-pot which

she thrusts at Levin.

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