Ninotchka Page #13

ATTENDANT:

You don't have to worry. The thing

is safe.

NINOTCHKA:

I am not afraid... I want to know...

Leon, who apparently has taken a taxi and prepared himself

otherwise, enters the scene, reading from a book.

LEON:

(reading)

The foundation is one hundred and

forty-one yards square...

(he tips his hat and

interjects)

I hope you'll forgive me but I thought

you'd...

NINOTCHKA:

(interrupting)

Go ahead.

The CAMERA goes with Ninotchka and Leon as they walk toward

the steps.

LEON:

(continuing)

Four massive piers of masonry are

sunk to a depth of forty-six feet on

the side of the Seine, and twenty-

nine and one-half feet on the other

side. The girders of interlaced iron-

work which stay the structure have

an inclination of fifty-four

degrees...

NINOTCHKA:

That's a strange angle.

LEON:

Yes, very strange.

By now they have reached the staircase. They start up.

LEON:

(continuing to read)

Ascending to the tower is a staircase

consisting of eight hundred and twenty-

nine steps...

(this disclosure

frightens Leon as he

realizes the climb

ahead of him. He

reads on as they

walk up)

...and an additional two hundred and

fifty-four steps to the very top...

(now Leon stops but

Ninotchka proceeds

on out of the picture.

Leon calls after her

and reads from his

book in a loud voice)

There is an elevator included in the

price of admission!

Ninotchka continues to climb.

MEDIUM SHOT -- STAIRS (FROM LEON'S ANGLE)

Ninotchka, paying no attention to him, walks up the stairs,

two at a time.

CLOSE SHOT -- LEON

He looks after Ninotchka, then makes up his mind and returns

down the stairs.

GROUND FLOOR -- EIFFEL TOWER, shooting toward the elevator

door. The elevator with several passengers is just about to

leave when Leon hurries into it. The door closes and the

elevator starts to ascend quickly.

DISSOLVE TO:

HIGHEST PLATFORM -- EIFFEL TOWER

The CAMERA ANGLE includes the elevator door and a beautiful

background view of Paris. The elevator door opens and Leon

emerges leisurely. He is just about to step to the top of

the staircase, when suddenly, to his great amazement, he

sees Ninotchka, who stands at the balustrade overlooking

Paris. She has climbed the tower faster than he despite the

elevator. Dumbfounded, Leon approaches her. Ninotchka turns,

very matter-of-fact.

NINOTCHKA:

You gave me some very valuable

information. Thank you.

LEON:

(looking at the

dazzling view)

And thank you for getting me up here.

I've never seen this before.

Beautiful, isn't it?

NINOTCHKA:

Yes, it is.

LEON:

I'm glad I saw it before becoming

extinct.

NINOTCHKA:

Do not misunderstand me. I do not

hold your frivolity against you.

(she looks him up and

down)

As basic material you might not be

bad, but you are the unfortunate

product of a doomed culture. I feel

sorry for you.

LEON:

You must admit that this doomed old

civilization sparkles... It glitters!

Night View of Paris with Its Lights Ablaze, as seen from the

Eiffel Tower.

NINOTCHKA AND LEON

NINOTCHKA:

I do not deny its beauty, but it is

a waste of electricity.

LEON:

What a city! There are the Grands

Boulevards... blasted out of the

heart of the old streets. The Arc de

Triomphe... made to greet Napoleon's

army. The Opera! And Montmartre...

Montparnasse... La Bohème... and now

I'll show you the greatest attraction!

(he steps to a

telescope and, taking

some money from his

pocket, drops a coin

in the slot)

It will cost me a franc but it is

worth it.

(he adjusts the

telescope)

The most wonderful spot in all Paris --

unique! Here, look....

(she looks in telescope)

What do you see?

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