Ninotchka Page #6

KOPALSKI:

Comrades! Comrades! Don't let's give

in so quickly. After all we have to

uphold the prestige of Russia.

BULJANOFF:

All right, let's uphold it for another

ten minutes.

SHOT OF THE WHOLE GROUP

There is a knock at the door. Iranoff walks toward it, unlocks

it, opens it a little. In the door appears Leon.

IRANOFF:

We don't want to be disturbed.

LEON:

My name is Count d'Algout. I

telephoned.

IRANOFF:

If you want to see us you must come

later.

LEON:

I just want a word with Monsieur

Mercier.

IRANOFF:

But you can't...

Leon pushes his way in. He approaches Monsieur Mercier. The

Russians get between him and the jewels and during the

following scene put them back into the safe.

LEON:

Monsieur Mercier. May I introduce

myself? I am Count Leon d'Algout. I

think I had the pleasure of meeting

you in your beautiful shop. I was

admiring a platinum watch with diamond

numbers.

MERCIER:

Oh, yes, yes...

LEON:

(glancing at the jewels)

Glorious, aren't they?

KOPALSKI:

Now, monsieur, you have no right...

LEON:

(very charmingly)

Just a moment.

(to Mercier)

I hope you haven't closed this deal,

Monsieur Mercier. It might bring you

into serious difficulties.

ALL THREE RUSSIANS

Who are you? What do you want? What

is this?

LEON:

These jewels are the property of the

Duchess Swana of Russia, and were

seized illegally by the Soviet

Government. I am acting for Her

Highness, the Duchess. Here is my

power of attorney.

He hands it to Mercier, who reads it.

IRANOFF:

(excitedly)

You know, Monsieur Mercier, this is

all non-sense.

KOPALSKI:

These may have been the jewels of

the Duchess Swana, but, like all

private property, they were

confiscated by the State.

LEON:

We'll leave the problem of their

ownership to the French courts.

Meanwhile I have filed a petition

for an injunction to prohibit you

from either selling or removing the

jewels. Here is a copy.

The Russians take the copy of the injunction, read it

flabbergasted. As they do so, Leon turns to Monsieur Mercier.

LEON:

I thought it my duty to warn you. I

would hate to see you get in any

trouble, monsieur.

MERCIER:

Thank you.

(he turns to the

Russians)

Gentlemen, this introduces a new

element into our negotiations. Until

this claim is completely settled...

KOPALSKI:

We can call our ambassador.

IRANOFF:

I give you my word! They were

confiscated legally!

MERCIER:

Please try to understand my position.

I am not with-drawing. My offer stands

and as soon as you produce a clear

title, approved by the French courts,

the deal is settled. Until then,

good day.

He bows and starts toward the door. Leon accompanies him,

opening the door as though he were the host.

LEON:

(intimately)

I hope you will forgive me, Monsieur

Mercier.

MERCIER:

(in a low voice)

On the contrary. I consider myself

very lucky. Good day.

He bows.

LEON:

(bowing)

Good day, monsieur.

Mercier leaves. Leon closes the door and turns back into the

room to the three outraged Russians.

LEON:

(jauntily)

Well, gentlemen... how about a little

lunch?

IRANOFF:

Get out of here!

LEON:

Don't look so gloomy, gentlemen. All

is not lost. You may have a chance.

KOPALSKI:

(bursting forth)

We may have a chance.

LEON:

Yes... a very slim one. I want to be

fair. I don't deny that you might

make out some kind of a case.

KOPALSKI:

We haven't anything to discuss with

you. We'll talk to a lawyer!

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