Anna Karenina Page #7

watching you.

NIKOLAI:

Good. They must think I'm dangerous.

Levin involuntarily smiles at the self-puffery.

NIKOLAI (CONT'D)

What have you got to smile about?

LEVIN:

Nothing.

NIKOLAI:

That's right. The day is coming. I gave up

my birthright for it. You're on the wrong

side of history. Not because privilege is

immoral but because it's irrational.

Wheezing, he goes for the bottle again. Masha tries to take it from him,

appealing to Levin.

MASHA:

He is sick.

NIKOLAI:

Let go or I'll beat your lights out.

He pushes her away and pours himself more vodka.

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NIKOLAI (CONT'D)

I took Mary Nikolova from a brothel but I

consider her my wife. If her presence offends

you you're free to leave. Are you married?

LEVIN:

No.

NIKOLAI:

Why not? Are you waiting to fall in love?

LEVIN:

No.

NIKOLAI:

Good. Romantic love will be the last illu-

sion of the old order. You should marry one

of your peasants.

Levin's reaction is almost violent, surprising Nikolai.

LEVIN:

Yes. I damn well should!

NIKOLAI:

(toasts, casually)

The brotherhood of man.

Levin recovers himself. He takes out his wallet.

LEVIN:

Nikolai, you have to see a doctor. Then

come and stay with me at Pokrovskoe till

you get your health back.

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NIKOLAI:

(SCORNFULLY)

With my wife?

Levin becomes flustered.

LEVIN:

If you . . . or go abroad to a spa. I'll send you

more if that's what you . . .

Masha reaches for the money Levin has put on the table. Nikolai knocks

her hand away. He throws the banknotes at Levin. He coughs himself into

a paroxysm. Levin tries to embrace him. Nikolai throws him off.

LEVIN (CONT'D)

(CRIES OUT)

What about the brotherhood of brothers?

Masha snatches up the banknotes.

INT. STATION (MOSCOW)--DAY

There is a scattering of people of all classes on the platform waiting for the

arriving train.

By the entrance/exit gate, a Guards Officer stands holding a bouquet. The

Stationmaster stands by. A strip of faded red carpet has been laid on the

planks.

STATIONMASTER:

The private coach will stop opposite the

carpet.

The Guards Officer nods. He sees Vronsky arriving.

32

VRONSKY:

Hello, what's this?

GUARDS OFFICER:

Austrian royalty on their honeymoon. I've

got them for four days.

VRONSKY:

Bad luck. What do they like? Art?

GUARDS OFFICER:

Food.

VRONSKY:

Here's the train.

EXT. PLATFORM, THE ARRIVING TRAIN, SAME

TIME--DAY

Vronsky moves closer to the slowing train, scanning the windows going by.

EXT. PLATFORM ENTRANCE GATE, SAME TIME--DAY

The Guards Officer and the Stationmaster are disconcerted to see the obvious

"private coach" stop seriously short (or long) behind luggage wagons, etc.

STATIONMASTER:

I'll see to it.

He hurries away towards the engine.

Oblonsky hurries through, relieved not to be late.

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EXT. PLATFORM, SAME TIME--DAY

Vronsky is saluted by his mother's Major Domo, a tall man in livery with

a cockade.

MAJOR DOMO:

Second carriage, Your Excellency. I'll see to

the Countess's luggage and bring it on to the

house.

Vronsky nods, and makes his way towards the second coach, against the

flow of disembarked passengers.

EXT. TRAIN (ENGINE), SAME TIME

The Stationmaster speaks to the Engine Driver.

EXT. EXIT/ENTRANCE GATE, SAME TIME--DAY

The Guards Officer with the bouquet stands uncertainly while arriving

passengers go past him.

EXT. "PRIVATE COACH," SAME TIME--DAY

The Royal Austrian Honeymooners peer anxiously through the window.

INT. TRAIN, SAME TIME-- DAY

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