Ninotchka Page #3

As the voice continues, we

DISSOLVE TO:

SERVICE STAIRCASE -- HOTEL CLARENCE

Rakonin hurries down the stairs, buttoning his overcoat around

him. He exits through a door to the street.

STREET CORNER NEAR THE HOTEL CLARENCE

WIPE TO:

Rakonin is getting into a taxi.

RAKONIN:

(to taxi driver)

Eight Rue de Chalon.

WIPE TO:

INSERT the House Number "8"

above the doorway of a Parisian apartment house. Camera pulls

back to medium shot of the whole entrance. Into it is striding

a typical Parisian playboy. He is Count Leon d'Algout.

ENTRANCE HALL -- SWANA'S APARTMENT

The door is being opened by Swana's maid. Leon enters like a

man thoroughly at home.

MAID:

Good morning, Count.

LEON:

Good morning.

MAID:

Her Highness is still dressing.

LEON:

(as he walks toward

Swana's door)

That's all right.

LONG SHOT -- SWANA'S ROOM

Swana sits at her dressing table in a negligee. Leon enters

with the easy air of an old friend. He kisses her lightly.

SWANA:

Hello, Leon!

LEON:

Good morning, Swana.

During Swana's long speech he sits down, not paying much

attention to her patter, lights a cigarette, and glances

through a magazine.

SWANA:

It's really a wretched morning...

wretched. I can't get myself right.

I wanted to look mellow and I look

brittle. My face doesn't compose

well... all highlights... how can I

dim myself down, Leon? Suggest

something. I am so bored with this

face. I wish I had someone else's

face. Whose face would you have if

you had your choice? Oh, well, I

guess one gets the face one deserves.

LEON:

Your conversation has one marvelous

advantage, Swana. However many

questions you ask you never expect

an answer.

SWANA:

Don't you find that restful?... Why

didn't you come last night?

LEON:

Darling, I was busy looking out for

your interests.

SWANA:

Did you win?

LEON:

(enthusiastically)

We can forget horse racing, roulette,

the stock market... our worries are

over! You remember that platinum

watch with the diamond numbers? You

will be in a position to give it to

me.

SWANA:

(with humor)

Oh, Leon, you are so good to me.

(She kisses him)

LEON:

We can be rich if you say the word.

I had dinner with the Guizots last

night.

SWANA:

(contemptuously)

Those newspaper people?

LEON:

You'd be surprised how many nice

people dine with the Guizots.

SWANA:

What a gruesome proof of the power

of the press!

LEON:

Now listen, Swana... I sold Monsieur

Guizot the idea of publishing your

memoirs in the Gazette Parisienne.

"The Life and Loves of the Grand

Duchess Swana of Russia"!

SWANA:

(protestingly)

Oh, Leon!

LEON:

Sweetheart, we won't have to bother

about our future if you are willing

to raffle off your past!

SWANA:

Was it for this that I refused to

endorse Dr. Bertrand's Mouthwash? I

could have made a little fortune by

saying that the Vincent Vacuum Cleaner

was the only vacuum cleaner ever

used by the Romanoffs... and now you

want them to smear my life's secrets

over the front page of a tabloid?

LEON:

I understand how you feel, but there

is a limit to everything, particularly

pride and dignity. They are willing

to pay any price! They have a

circulation of two million!

SWANA:

Imagine two million clerks and shop

girls peeking into my life for a

sou! Think of my lovely life being

wrapped around cheese and blood

sausages! I can see a big grease

spot in the midst of my most intimate

moments!

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