Anna Karenina Page #36

Anna is looking into the display window of a toy shop. She is excited, glow-

ing. She enters the shop.

INT. VRONSKY'S FLAT, ST. PETERSBURG--DAY

Returning from the toy shop with a wrapped parcel, Anna comes in. Luggage

is stacked up in the hallway and Franz is unpacking stuff in the main room.

She sees that a hand-delivered letter is waiting for her. She opens it. Anna reads

the letter. For a moment she is devastated by it--but then, furious, she tears it up.

160

EXT. KARENIN HOUSE, ST. PETERSBURG--DAY

It's very early morning. The street is not awake. A hired cab brings Anna

to her former home. She is heavily veiled, and carries the wrapped parcel

from the toy shop. The cab is to wait for her. She rings the doorbell.

A sleepy Servant opens the big wooden door.

ANNA:

I'm here to see Sergei Alexeyich.

The young Servant doesn't know her. Anna steps past him, pushing money

into his hand.

INT. ENTRANCE HALL, KARENIN HOUSE, SAME

TIME--DAY

Kapitonich, pulling on his livery greatcoat, comes to the inner glass door

and lets Anna in. He does not recognise her.

ANNA:

I have brought something for Sergei

Alexeyich.

Kapitonich scrutinises her, prepared to forestall her.

KAPITONICH:

He is not up yet. Would you wish to wait?

Who shall I say . . . ?

Kapitonich peers at her and realises who she is. He steps back and bows.

KAPITONICH (CONT'D)

Please come in, Your Excellency.

161

Anna goes quickly to the stairs.

KAPITONICH (CONT'D)

Allow me to announce you. The tutor may

be there and not dressed.

Anna shakes her head and is almost running away from him. Kapitonich

gives chase.

INT. STAIRS, KARENIN'S HOUSE, SAME TIME--DAY

KAPITONICH:

Please allow me!

INT. UPPER LEVEL, KARENIN HOUSE, SAME TIME--

DAY:

Anna dashes past two Housemaids who gape at her, and disappears round

the corner. She's a little mad now.

INT. UPPER STAIRS, KARENIN HOUSE, SAME TIME--

DAY:

Anna, wild-eyed, climbs the stairs and meets the tutor, Vasily Lukich,

coming down, buttoning his waistcoat. Lukich is startled, not knowing her.

ANNA:

I've come to see Sergei Alexeyich.

Kapitonich reaches these stairs, calling, "Your Excellency . . . !"

162

INT. TOP FLOOR, KARENIN HOUSE, SAME TIME--

DAY:

Anna dashes for Serozha's door and flings herself through it.

INT. "SEROZHA'S ROOM," KARENIN HOUSE, SAME

TIME--DAY

It's no longer Serozha's room. A large Woman sits up in bed. She's probably

the Cook. She cries out. Anna reels back. She looks panicked.

Kapitonich catches up, out of breath.

KAPITONICH:

He's been moved to the small sitting room.

INT. UPPER STAIRS, KARENIN HOUSE, SAME TIME--

DAY:

At the bottom of the Upper Stairs, Lukich, the Housemaids and a couple of

half-dressed Footmen have their heads together. They move aside as Anna

hurries by, seeing nothing.

INT. UPPER LEVEL, KARENIN HOUSE, SAME TIME--

DAY:

Kapitonich catches up with Anna at the door of the "small sitting room."

KAPITONICH:

I'll just look in.

Anna shakes her head and walks past him, into the room.

163

INT. BEDROOM, KARENIN HOUSE, SAME TIME--DAY

The curtains are drawn closed. The room is dim. Anna sees Serozha sitting

up, yawning, his eyes closed, and falling back on the pillow. She comes to

the bed and whispers his name. Serozha raises himself on his elbow, opens

his eyes and smiles dreamily and falls forward into her arms.

SEROZHA:

Mama.

ANNA:

Oh, my dear little boy.

SEROZHA:

I knew you would come. Today is my

birthday.

Serozha rubs his face on her neck, falls back on the pillow, only half awake

and going back to sleep. Anna looks at him avidly, touching his forearms,

his shoulders, the hair over his ears. She can't stop her own tears. He comes

awake.

SEROZHA (CONT'D)

Are you crying?

ANNA:

I won't cry. It's time for you to get dressed.

And I almost forgot your present, look . . .

open it . . .

Serozha takes off her hat.

Rate this script:3.0 / 1 vote