Ninotchka Page #12

LEON:

Me?

NINOTCHKA:

Yes. Could you give me some

information?

LEON:

Gladly.

NINOTCHKA:

How long do we have to wait here?

LEON:

Well -- until the policeman whistles

again.

NINOTCHKA:

At what intervals does he whistle?

LEON:

What?

NINOTCHKA:

How many minutes between the first

and second whistle?

LEON:

That's funny. It's interesting. I

never gave it a thought before.

NINOTCHKA:

Have you never been caught in a

similar situation?

LEON:

Have I? Do you know when I come to

think about it it's staggering. If I

add it all up I must have spent years

waiting for signals. Imagine! An

important part of my life wasted

between whistles.

NINOTCHKA:

In other words you don't know.

LEON:

No.

NINOTCHKA:

Thank you.

LEON:

You're welcome.

Ninotchka gets out her map, starts to unfold it.

LEON:

Can I help you?

NINOTCHKA:

You might hold this for me.

LEON:

Love to.

NINOTCHKA:

(engrossed in her

geography)

Correct me if I am wrong... We are

facing north, aren't we?

LEON:

(bewildered)

Facing north... I'd hate to commit

myself without my compass... Pardon

me... are you an explorer?

NINOTCHKA:

No... I am looking for the Eiffel

Tower.

LEON:

Is that thing lost again?... Listen...

if you are interested in a view...

NINOTCHKA:

I am interested in the Eiffel Tower

from a technical standpoint.

LEON:

Technical... I couldn't help you

from that angle. You see, a real

Parisian only goes to the top of the

tower in moments of despair to jump

off.

NINOTCHKA:

How long does it take a man to land?

LEON:

Now, isn't that too bad! The last

time I jumped I forgot to clock it!

(looks at map)

Let me see... Eiffel Tower... Your

finger, please.

He takes her finger and points to the map with it.

NINOTCHKA:

(skeptically)

Why do you need my finger?

LEON:

Bad manners to point with your own...

Here... the Eiffel Tower.

NINOTCHKA:

And where are we?

LEON:

(shifting her finger

back to the hotel)

Here... here we are... here you are

and here I am... feel it?

NINOTCHKA:

I am interested only in the shortest

distance between these two points.

Must you flirt?

LEON:

I don't have to but I find it natural.

NINOTCHKA:

Suppress it.

LEON:

I'll try.

Ninotchka starts to fold her map.

NINOTCHKA:

For my own information would you

call your approach toward me typical

of the local morale?

LEON:

Madame, it is that kind of approach

which has made Paris what it is.

NINOTCHKA:

You are very sure of yourself, aren't

you?

LEON:

Nothing has occurred recently to

shake my confidence.

NINOTCHKA:

I have heard of the arrogant male in

capitalistic society. It is having a

superior earning power that makes

you like that.

LEON:

A Russian! I love Russians! Comrade...

I have been fascinated by your Five-

Year Plan for the past fifteen years!

NINOTCHKA:

Your type will soon be extinct.

She walks away from him coldly. Leon stares after her,

fascinated.

ENTRANCE -- GROUND FLOOR OF THE EIFFEL TOWER

DISSOLVE TO:

Camera moves with Ninotchka as she enters. She approaches an

Attendant.

NINOTCHKA:

Please... can you tell me the exact

width of the foundation on which the

piers are resting?... and the depth?

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