Ninotchka Page #10

NINOTCHKA:

(to Porter)

Why?... Why should you carry other

people's bags?

PORTER:

Well... that's my business, madame.

NINOTCHKA:

That's no business... that's a social

injustice.

PORTER:

That depends on the tip.

KOPALSKI:

(trying to take

Ninotchka's bags)

Allow me, Comrade.

NINOTCHKA:

No, thank you.

Ninotchka takes both suitcases and walks away with the Three

Russians, whose nervousness has increased with every word

from the Envoy Extraordinary.

BULJANOFF:

How are things in Moscow?

NINOTCHKA:

Very good. The last mass trials were

a great success. There are going to

be fewer but better Russians.

The hearts of the Three Russians drop to their boots, as we

DISSOLVE TO:

LOBBY -- HOTEL CLARENCE

Ninotchka, followed by the Russians, comes through the lobby,

observing every detail of these unfamiliar surroundings.

Suddenly she stops. In the showcase of a hat shop in the

lobby is displayed a hat of the John-Frederic's type.

NINOTCHKA:

What's that?

KOPALSKI:

It's a hat, Comrade, a woman's hat.

Ninotchka shakes her head.

NINOTCHKA:

Tsk, tsk, tsk, how can such a

civilization survive which permits

women to put things like that on

their heads. It won't be long now,

Comrades.

She walks out of the shot toward the elevator, followed by

the Three Russians, as we

DISSOLVE TO:

ROYAL SUITE:

Ninotchka enters, followed by the Three Russians, who by now

are frightened to death.

BULJANOFF:

This is the apartment we have reserved

for you, Comrade Yakushova. I hope

you like it.

NINOTCHKA:

(glancing around the

tremendous room)

Which part of the room is mine?

IRANOFF:

You see... it is a little different

here. They don't rent rooms in pieces.

We had to take the whole suite.

Ninotchka begins to unpack her things and puts her typewriter

on the desk.

NINOTCHKA:

How much does this cost?

IRANOFF:

Two thousand francs.

NINOTCHKA:

A week?

IRANOFF:

A day.

NINOTCHKA:

Do you know how much a cow costs,

Comrade Iranoff?

IRANOFF:

A cow?

NINOTCHKA:

Two thousand francs. If I stay here

a week I will cost the Russian people

seven cows.

(with an outburst of

emotion)

Who am I to cost the Russian people

seven cows?

BULJANOFF:

We had to take it on account of the

safe.

IRANOFF:

For ourselves... we are much happier

now since we moved to a little room

next to the servants' quarters.

Ninotchka takes Lenin's picture from her bags.

NINOTCHKA:

I am ashamed to put the picture of

Lenin in a room like this.

(she puts the

photograph on the

desk)

Comrades, your telegram was received

with great disfavor in Moscow.

KOPALSKI:

We did our best, Comrade.

NINOTCHKA:

I hope so for your sake.

(she sits at her desk

and starts to type

her report)

Let us examine the case. What does

the lawyer say?

BULJANOFF:

Which lawyer?

NINOTCHKA:

You didn't get legal advice?

BULJANOFF:

We didn't want to get mixed up with

lawyers. They are very expensive

here. If you just say hello to a

lawyer... well, there goes another

cow.

KOPALSKI:

We dealt directly with the

representative of the Grand Duchess.

I am sure if we call him he will

give you a very clear picture.

NINOTCHKA:

I will not repeat your mistake. I

will have no dealings with the Grand

Duchess nor her representative.

Ninotchka continues to type. The Three Russians watch her

nervously. Each click pounds on their consciences.

NINOTCHKA:

(looking up)

Comrade Buljanoff...

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