Rasputin and the Empress Page #6

What do you say to your mother, Aloysha?

I love you,

Mamushka.

I love you, darling.

Majesty, a moment ago, he was

different, shockingly different!

Is it because he didn't

want you to maul him?

He hurt me!

Aloysha!

Then he said

he'd kill

Father Grishka.

Aloysha,

that isn't true!

He didn't mean it. I knew that.

Paul, you didn't

say that!

Majesty, may I say

one thing?

Paul...

there is nothing

to be said.

Please leave us.

[Ringing]

[Crowd talking]

Woman:
Is this

father Rasputins flat?

Different woman:
Come in. Sit

down. I'll get to you later.

Tonia.

I've sent him word,

your honor.

He said he can't make

a minister out of a miser.

If he will

just read...

Take your turn, colonel.

My lady would like to see

father Rasputin at once.

Yes. Would she? So would a

lot of other pretty squabs.

Listen here, then.

My mistress is Natalia,

Lady-In-Waiting

to the Empress.

Why didn't you

tell me? Pardon.

Tonia:
Your highness.

There are so many of

the other kind come here.

I didn't know.

Come inside, your

highness, and Ill tell him.

I won't be

a moment.

Man:
Father was going to

get my brother out of jail.

He'll take care of that.

Come inside, your highness.

Tonia, please!

[Women singing]

[Crowd talking]

Woman:
Father,

let me touch...

Tonia:

Natalias here.

My daughter.

[Silence]

[Murmuring]

What's she

doing here?

My daughter.

This way, my daughter.

Blessed among women, this

is the way of holiness!

Children happy

in their faith.

Woman:
Father,

I must talk to you.

There's something troubling

me that I must know now.

Why do you always bless

the young and pretty ones?

Listen to me. If you keep this

up, Ill break your thick skull.

[Women singing]

Father!

I hope you weren't upset

by those simple people.

You look anxious,

my daughter.

Father, Im sorry to intrude

on you like this, but...

No, thank you.

I have to warn you.

Your life may be

in danger.

My life?

Chegodieff.

Yes, but don't tell him.

It's because I love him that I came

here, so that nothing will happen.

Nothing is going to happen, my daughter.

Let me take

your coat.

You're going

to get cold.

No, really, I...

Oh, I see. My home is too humble.

Oh, please.

That's better.

I've been

so terribly worried.

Well, don't be.

They've had many a go at

me... These aristocrats.

They can't stomach the

power God has given me.

I see through them and

their little schemes.

But it isn't Pauls fault. They've

poisoned his mind against you.

He was never

like this before.

[Knock on door]

Who is it?

Tonia.

He'll see eventually,

but be careful.

Yes. Don't worry.

Nobody's going to kill me. Nobody can.

[Loud knocking]

Excuse me. I'll see

what it is she wants.

What are you pounding

on the door for?

Grishka,

Prince Chegodieff.

What about him?

He insists

on seeing you.

Grishka,

he means trouble.

Take him up the back way

to the kitchen.

Hey. Psst. You there

in the corner.

I can see you.

Can you see

all right?

Paul:

Yes, thank you.

It isn't much like your

house, is it, prince?

Smells a little

differently.

This way,

your Excellency.

This way.

[Women singing]

You know, my neck is black

and blue where you choked me.

Ha ha!

You want

to shake hands?

I'm willing.

Sorry. I haven't

my gloves on.

Oh, still, you must

have some reason

for honoring

my humble flat.

Are you looking

for someone?

You.

Do you remember...

I told you once

something about progress?

I meant it.

[Shouting]

This is for Russia.

Grab him!

[Gunshots]

Paul:
I couldn't have missed him.

Tonia:
What's that shooting?

What has happened?

He tried

to kill me,

but there's a power

watching over me

Stronger than any bullet.

That power won't

help you next time.

I'll aim at your head.

[Women shouting]

Tell your superiors

they can find me

at the barracks of the chevalier guards.

Next time.

Rasputin:
Go back,

my children. Go back.

I want to be alone.

Tonia:
Go back.

Go back. Go back.

Never mind him.

A miracle

has been performed.

Women:
Alleluia!

A miracle.

[Women singing]

Has he gone?

Yes.

A great miracle.

Look here, Ill report

this little affair, not you.

You understand?

Yes.

Go on. Get out.

There he goes,

Tonia.

That fella Chegodieff

isn't afraid of anything.

I've got to

get rid of him.

Are you sure you're not hurt, Grishka?

No. This was

a good idea, though.

That first bullet almost

knocked the wind out of me.

It might have

killed you.

It might, indeed.

I couldn't have

died now, Tonia,

Just as Im within

reach of everything.

There's going

to be a war.

Do you realize that,

old cabbage-Face?

There's going

to be a war.

Napoleon needed a war.

Well, Ive got one.

I wonder if you know what a

great man you're with, Tonia.

Why don't you go

to the Czar right now?

Oh, one thing at a

time, old cabbage-face.

This whole

little story here

Will fit a much

better occasion.

Keep them up.

I heard a shot.

Yes, my daughter.

It was Paul.

[Band playing]

[Door opens]

My daughter...

this concerns

Aloysha.

His life may

depend on it.

Come with me.

Continue the review

until the end.

General staff

will follow me.

[Trumpeting call]

Nicky,

what is it?

Our cousin Wilhelm has ordered me

to demobilize under penalty of war.

What are you

going to do?

Everything in my power to

save Europe from this insanity.

God grant you wisdom.

Amen.

I'll do all I can

with honor.

I'll meet the general staff

in my study.

I've just spoken

with the ambassador.

He's sure that England will be in

accord but can make no promises.

El Pankore will be at

sea for two more days.

The Kaiser has chosen an

awkward moment for his ultimatum.

Nikolai:
Gentlemen.

Germany demands

that we demobilize.

Our refusal may lead

to war.

We have a terrible

responsibility to face.

I beg you not to let passion or

mistaken patriotism color your judgment.

The peace of Europe

rests with us.

I have preserved it

for 30 years.

We must keep it now.

Your majesty,

may I suggest

that the best way to preserve

peace at this present moment

is to show Germany that we

are ready to enforce peace?

I agree with the minister of war.

So do I.

If we demobilize, Austria will

take it as a sign that we're

going to stand weakly by

while she crushes Serbia.

Instead of preventing

a war, we cause one.

On the other hand, if we demobilize, it might

remove all the tension from the situation.

It may move this crisis back to

the Balkans, where it belongs.

Serbia's case

could be arbitrated.

No, your majesty.

It is quite obvious what

your inferior cousin is doing.

Germany is holding

Austrias coat

while Serbia

is destroyed.

This impudent ultimatum is a

bluff to keep us from interfering

with the murder

of a nation.

The Kaisers not

inclined to bluff.

It will cost us a million

men to find that out.

Now you're overrating

the Germans a bit.

If I remember rightly, you, at

one time, underrated the Japanese.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes