Anna Karenina Page #8

Countess Vronsky remains sitting. Annushka packs away Anna's blanket

and pillow. Anna looks out of the window.

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ANNA:

I'll come back.

Anna moves to the door opening on to the "porch." Vronsky is on the point

of entering. He steps back to allow her by. They barely exchange a glance

as she passes him, but, simultaneously, each of them looks back. Anna looks

away quickly. His look lingers before he turns away to enter the carriage.

INT./EXT. PORCH--DAY

Anna, from her vantage point spots Oblonsky, calls to him. Annushka,

with her bag, comes onto the porch and descends to follow her mistress.

EXT. PLATFORM, SAME TIME--DAY

Anna steps down to the platform and embraces Oblonsky. They are delighted

to see each other.

ANNA:

(ACCUSINGLY)

You don't look ashamed.

OBLONSKY:

(CONTRITE)

I am, I really am.

INT. TRAIN, SAME TIME-- DAY

Countess Vronsky remains in her seat. Vronsky bends at the window, look-

ing at Oblonsky and Anna.

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VRONSKY:

Yes, of course. Oblonsky's sister . . .

Karenina.

COUNTESS:

Charmante, don't you think?

(to her Maid)

Wait for me in the carriage. I'll take Tosca.

She takes the dog. The Maid leaves with her bag.

VRONSKY:

. . . You stayed longer in St. Petersburg.

COUNTESS VRONSKY

Long enough for you to start a little love

affair, I hear.

VRONSKY:

I can't think what you're referring to,

Maman.

He glances back to the window, where Anna turns back to enter the train.

EXT. PLATFORM, SAME TIME--DAY

As Anna turns back, a Railwayman with a hammer for tapping wheels

is in her way. He steps back for her with a bow and a "Madame!" Anna

glances at him and moves past him. The man taps a wheel, making a ring-

ing sound which means the wheel is okay.

As Anna mounts the steps, a Train Guard looks up and down the plat-

form, holding a green flag.

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INT. TRAIN, SAME TIME-- DAY

Anna enters from the porch.

ANNA:

There, Countess, you have found your son

and I have found my brother.

COUNTESS VRONSKY

Madame Karenin has a son, too. It's the first

time they have been apart, so she frets about

him.

VRONSKY:

Excuse me for not recognizing you before.

COUNTESS VRONSKY

We passed the time telling each other about

our sons.

ANNA:

Yes, I've been hearing all about you.

VRONSKY:

That must have been very boring for you.

The ringing sound of the wheel-tapper's hammer is faintly audible in

Anna's hesitation. Anna shuts off the gallantry.

ANNA:

Au revoir, Countess.

COUNTESS VRONSKY

Au revoir, my dear. Let me kiss your pretty

face.

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Countess Vronsky does so. Anna turns to offer her hand to Vronsky. As

Vronsky takes her hand, the train lurches and moves, unsteadying them

both.

EXT. PLATFORM, SAME TIME--DAY

Oblonsky-- and everyone still on the platform--is shocked by a dreadful

scream and shouting. The train, having moved a few feet, stops. Oblonsky

hurries towards the scene of the accident, right opposite the gate. The Station-

master overtakes him.

EXT. TRACKS, SAME TIME, DAY

The Wheel-Tapper lies between the wheels, mangled.

Oblonsky joins the horrified onlookers. The Guards Officer arrives, too,

with his bouquet. Then Vronsky arrives. He turns to the Guards Officer.

VRONSKY:

Keep your people inside until this has been

cleared up.

EXT. PLATFORM AND EXIT GATE--DAY

Countess Vronsky, Vronsky, Anna and Oblonsky, Oblonsky almost in tears,

come towards the gate. A Porter follows with Anna's large suitcase, hat-

boxes, etc. Annushka has the travelling bag.

OBLONSKY:

. . . the sole support of a large family, they

say.

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ANNA:

Can't anything be done for them?

Vronsky glances at her.

VRONSKY:

Wait for me, Maman.

Vronsky retraces his steps.

COUNTESS VRONSKY

(TO ANNA)

I've you to thank for that.

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