White Nights Page #4

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I was not allowed to travel.

And for three years, I was taken

every week to answer their questions.

Every week,

the same stupid questions!

You answered well.

You are an important person

at the theatre.

Powerful,

just as you always wanted.

I heard you're driving a Mercedes.

And what do you drive

in America, Nikolai? A donkey?

Yes, I rebuilt my life. I was supposed to give up

everything so that you could live in Disneyland?

Well...

I'm sure you know why I'm here.

I want to offer you

a place at the Kirov.

It's a very generous offer, and I think that

it's one that you're not in a position to refuse.

What are you saying?

You know what would happen with me.

I cannot play their games anymore.

I'll be finished.

Don't exaggerate.

Get word to the West that I'm well

and they are keeping me here.

Why should I risk anything for you?

You see foreigners every day

at the theatre.

All you have to do is to tell one

that I am here.

You haven't changed. You're just

as selfish as you always were.

You've never thought about anyone

in your life but yourself.

I didn't want to leave you.

I was in love with you.

Oh, you'll say anything

to get me to help you, won't you?

I've never lied to you.

Hah!

Help me!

No.

A lady from the past?

She was a great dancer.

I'm not talking about her feet.

I hurt some people when I left.

Didn't you?

It happens.

I'd like to take a shower,

a long one. Do you mind?

No, go ahead.

Was he receptive to the offer?

I'm sure he'll consider it.

Did you do your best

to convince him?

Yes, of course, Vladimir Ivanovich.

I hope you were persuasive.

If he dances at the gala,

what position will he be

given at the theatre?

I suppose he would dance

the opening night,

but I don't think he'd be available

for the current season.

He'd have to take time off

for a long debriefing.

But ultimately,

it's a political decision.

Hello, kids.

Who's your teacher?

Semionov.

Semionov, we're old friends.

Give him this note, please?

No. We are rehearsing here.

I am Nikolai Rodchenko.

I studied here too.

I danced with Ivanova.

Liar.

No, I am not.

I am Nikolai Rodchenko.

You're lying. We know everyone

who has danced with Ivanova.

You've never heard

of Nikolai Rodchenko?

He's crazy.

Of course, how would you know?

Get out!

I'm going, little one.

Pervert!

Little sh*t.

Nice music, isn't it?

Yeah.

It's much more

rhythmically complicated...

Don't you miss all that?

Yeah, sometimes.

But there's nothing there for me now.

Bullshit.

I'd be arrested if I went back there.

It's a different era now.

Things have changed.

You don't know sh*t, man.

You don't know.

My father won't even say

my name anymore.

My brother's ashamed of me.

My brother's ashamed of me.

My mother got sick.

I tried to call.

I just wanted to talk to her.

I wanted her to hear my voice

and try to explain to her

why I did this.

Nobody would take the call.

They say I killed her.

I can't go back.

Mr. Greenwood,

the KGB is giving us a feast.

Let's enjoy it.

The chair of honor, right there.

It's the best rubles can buy.

They're really trying to impress you.

Don't kid yourself. You know

how elite live in this country?

Any pleasure, any perversion.

Name it.

They're as decadent here

as in New York, Tokyo or Rome.

They just keep it all hidden.

There's a lot you don't know.

But tonight, I want to try

some of this decadence.

Since you know so much about it.

Be my guest.

Start with the caviar.

Caviar!

That's so good.

Now I need something else.

You know?

Vodka.

You want some?

Absolutely.

Raymond, come on!

Thank you.

Come on, blood!

Let's get down to the food.

Blood?

You know what I'm trying to say?

Yeah, yeah.

Okay, folks, welcome to my house.

It's good to see you smiling.

Get out!

You, go, pack quickly! One bag!

She's going away.

No!

Today you let Rodchenko talk

to a group of students.

What? I didn't...

Don't say anything. Don't argue!

Now you'll see what happens

when you lie to me.

What students?

I don't know anything.

From the time you came here,

I treated you as an intelligent man.

I show you respect,

but now, no more.

What's happening here?

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Wait a minute!

You helped him to betray us again!

Leave him alone!

Don't argue with them.

Don't do this!

He's just a goddamn dancer!

Yes, I agree.

Not worth her life, is he?

Take her downstairs.

Lock them in the apartment.

What's happening?

None of your business.

What's the hell's he talking about?

The window in the shower.

I crawled out. I'm sorry.

You crawl..? You son of a b*tch!

You're sorry?

That woman is the best thing that ever

happened to me in my life! And you're sorry?

You're sorry, Nik? You know

what that was? That was half!

That was half! I promised myself

I'd never use that against anybody.

But if something happens to my wife,

I'm gonna kill you! You hear that?

Tonight, this is what her life is.

No.

You did it to her.

No.

Don't blame it on me.

Face it, you did it to her.

You can't deny it.

Stop it. It's okay. It's okay.

Sit down.

Sit down.

Now I'll talk to you.

I've got no choice.

I've got to trust you.

I'm so glad you came.

Nothing much has changed, huh?

No.

Do you still listen to Vysotsky?

Yes, of course.

But he's an outlaw. He's unofficial.

Vysotsky's songs

can't be sung in the theatre.

But we have made progress. Look,

these are for an evening of Balanchine.

I very much hope

that you'll dance at it.

We were talking about

this evening 10 years ago.

Nothing ever comes of it.

It's a dream.

The Ministry of Culture assures me...

Ministry of Culture.

That they will consider

the possibility?

I remember.

I did it. I danced Balanchine.

You're still waiting.

I want to assure you that your position in this

theatre will be as important as when you left.

You know what I've done since then.

Has any other theatre in the world

been like this for you, Kolya?

Or any other audience?

The Kirov.

It's beautiful.

Yes.

You were to be a legend here.

Now the young ones

don't even know your name.

How does that feel?

How does it feel? I was born

as a dancer in this theatre.

It will always be a part of me,

like Russia.

But for eight years, I've been free.

Do you know what it means

to be really free? Do you?

No, it's like Vysotsky.

You whisper his songs.

I won't whisper what I feel.

I want to scream like he does!

I can't lie anymore! Look at me.

Look at me!

You are working for Chaiko,

aren't you?

Yes.

I'm sorry.

He made me.

"He made me. "

Galina, you used to hate him

as much as me.

You ran away, I had to face them.

Yes, I was selfish. I still am.

I'm not a hero, I'm just a dancer.

It's all I can do.

It's what I live for.

But they will never let me dance

for myself here.

No matter what they say.

I can't start all over again.

I can't risk everything

that I've fought for.

I understand.

Oh, Kolya, I'm too frightened.

It's all right.

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