Ninotchka Page #4

Leon knows on which note to play for Swana's benefit.

LEON:

Well, I am the last person to persuade

you, but don't do it blindly... if

this is your decision, you must be

prepared to face the consequences...

(With the expression

of a man ready to

give his all)

I will have to go to work.

Swana rises and goes over to Leon. His method has been highly

successful.

SWANA:

My little Volga boatman! Stop

threatening! I don't deserve this.

(Embracing him)

Are you my little Volga boatman?

LEON:

Now, Swana...

SWANA:

First tell me, are you my little

Volga boatman?

LEON:

(anything to stop her)

Yes, I'm your little Volga boatman.

SWANA:

(walking back to the

dressing table)

Well... two million readers... I

know exactly what they want. Chapter

One:
"A Childhood behind Golden Bars.

Lovely Little Princess Plays with

Rasputin's Beard."

Leon sits down next to her, growing enthusiastic.

LEON:

I've got one chapter Guizot thinks

is terrific. "Caviar and Blood."

Swana escapes over the ice!

SWANA:

A couple of bloodhounds and we have

Uncle Tom's Cabin.

LEON:

(thinking of another

idea)

Darling, this would be wonderful!

Just once... weren't you attacked by

a Bolshevik?

SWANA:

(straining her memory)

Was I? No... not by a Bolshevik!

LEON:

Too bad! Brings our price down ten

thousand francs!

There is a knock on the door.

SWANA:

Come in.

The Maid enters.

MAID:

Count Rakonin asks the privilege of

a few words, Your Highness.

LEON:

Count Rakonin?

SWANA:

He's a waiter at the Clarence, poor

devil. You know him.

LEON:

Oh, yes.

SWANA:

Tell him I won't be able to see him

for a half an hour.

MAID:

The Count says if it could be as

soon as possible. It is luncheon

time and he is just between courses.

The Maid exits. Swana walks toward the door of the living

room.

LIVING ROOM -- SWANA'S APARTMENT

A charming room, which manages to create a little of the

atmosphere of Old Russia. Rakonin stands, his overcoat still

buttoned about him, waiting nervously. Swana enters, leaving

the door ajar. Rakonin approaches her with the respect he

would have paid her at the Imperial Court.

RAKONIN:

Your Highness.

SWANA:

How do you do, my friend.

RAKONIN:

Your Highness, forgive this intrusion,

but...

SWANA:

What is it, Rakonin? Did you lose

your job?

RAKONIN:

No, madame, something of the utmost

importance... it concerns your jewels.

SWANA:

My jewels?!

RAKONIN:

I remember one birthday of His

Majesty, our beloved Czar... I had

the honor of being on guard at the

summer palace... I still see you

bending before His Majesty... You

wore your diadem and a necklace...

your face seemed to be lighted by

the jewels.

SWANA:

(puzzled)

Why do you bring this up after so

many years?

RAKONIN:

They are here!... Your jewels!...

Here in Paris!

SWANA:

Alexis! Do you know what you are

saying?

RAKONIN:

This morning three Soviet agents

arrived. I overheard a telephone

conversation with Mercier, the

jeweler. Your Highness, they are

going to sell them!

MEDIUM SHOT -- DOOR OF BEDROOM

From the door of the bedroom appears Leon, his face alert.

LEON:

Did I hear something about jewels?

SWANA:

Rakonin, bless him, has given me the

most amazing news!

MEDIUM CLOSE -- SWANA AND RAKONIN

Swana goes to the telephone.

SWANA:

(into phone)

Balzac 2769...

(to Leon)

My lawyer...

Leon steps to her side, highly interested.

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