Ninotchka

FADE IN ON:

AN ESTABLISHING SHOT OF PARIS IN THE MONTH OF APRIL

DISSOLVE TO:

THE LUXURIOUS LOBBY OF THE HOTEL CLARENCE

CAMERA MOVES to a CLOSE SHOT of the desk. In the background

is a revolving door leading to the street. Through the

revolving door comes a strangely dressed individual, obviously

one who doesn't belong in such surroundings. It is Comrade

Buljanoff, a member of the Russian Board of Trade. Despite

the spring climate of Paris, he still wears his typical

Russian clothes, consisting of a coat with a fur collar, a

fur cap, and heavy boots.

Buljanoff glances around the lobby, obviously over-whelmed

by its magnificence. The Manager, puzzled by Buljanoff's

strange appearance, approaches him.

MANAGER:

(politely)

Is there anything I can do for you,

monsieur?

BULJANOFF:

No, no.

He exits toward the street. The Manager returns to his

customary duties, when suddenly a second Russian, similarly

dressed, pushes his way through the door and gazes around.

It is Comrade Iranoff.

The Manager, definitely mystified by now, approaches him.

MANAGER:

Yes, monsieur?

IRANOFF:

Just looking around.

Iranoff exits. Again the Manager returns to his duties, when

suddenly he sees that a third man, dressed in the same

fashion, has appeared in the revolving door. It is Comrade

Kopalski.

Kopalski doesn't leave the revolving door at all but as it

turns, drinks in the whole spectacle of the lobby. The Manager

is by now dumfounded.

STREET IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL CLARENCE

A taxi stands at the curb. Buljanoff and Iranoff are waiting

beside it, Iranoff holding a suitcase. Kopalski, returning

from the hotel, joins the group.

KOPALSKI:

Comrades, why should we lie to each

other? It's wonderful.

IRANOFF:

Let's be honest. Have we anything

like it in Russia?

ALL THREE:

(agreeing with him)

No, no, no.

IRANOFF:

Can you imagine what the beds would

be in a hotel like that?

KOPALSKI:

They tell me when you ring once the

valet comes in; when you ring twice

you get the waiter; and do you know

what happens when you ring three

times? A maid comes in -- a French

maid.

IRANOFF:

(with a gleam in his

eye)

Comrades, if we ring nine times...

let's go in.

BULJANOFF:

(stopping him)

Just a minute -- just a minute -- I

have nothing against the idea but I

still say let's go back to the Hotel

Terminus. Moscow made our reservations

there, we are on an official mission,

and we have no right to change the

orders of our superior.

IRANOFF:

Where is your courage, Comrade

Buljanoff?

KOPALSKI:

Are you the Buljanoff who fought on

the barricades? And now you are afraid

to take a room with a bath?

BULJANOFF:

(stepping back into

the taxi)

I don't want to go to Siberia.

Iranoff and Kopalski follow him reluctantly.

IRANOFF:

I don't want to go to the Hotel

Terminus.

KOPALSKI:

If Lenin were alive he would say,

"Buljanoff, Comrade, for once in

your life you're in Paris. Don't be

a fool. Go in there and ring three

times."

IRANOFF:

He wouldn't say that. What he would

say is "Buljanoff, you can't afford

to live in a cheap hotel. Doesn't

the prestige of the Bolsheviks mean

anything to you? Do you want to live

in a hotel where you press for the

hot water and cold water comes and

when you press for the cold water

nothing comes out at all? Phooey,

Buljanoff!"

BULJANOFF:

(weakening)

I still say our place is with the

common people, but who am I to

contradict Lenin? Let's go in.

All three start to leave the taxi, as we

DISSOLVE TO:

LOBBY -- HOTEL CLARENCE -- AT THE DESK

Buljanoff, Iranoff, and Kopalski are approaching the Manager,

their only suitcase carried by two of them.

KOPALSKI:

Are you the manager?

MANAGER:

(eyeing the three

suspiciously)

Yes.

KOPALSKI:

Pardon me for introducing Comrade

Iranoff, member of the Russian Board

of Trade.

MANAGER:

(bowing with strained

politeness)

Monsieur.

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