EASTERN PROMISES
Written by
Steven Knight
1 EXT. A STREET NEAR BRICK LANE - EVENING 1
It's 5.30pm in late December and rain is pouring. The
scant Christmas decorations are hanging limp in the rain.
A young Turk (EKREM) runs through the rain with a Turkish
newspaper held over his head. He ducks into a traditional
barber's shop called Ozim's.
2 INT. OZIM'S BARBER SHOP - EVENING 2
The shutters are drawn. OZIM (a plump middle-aged Turk)
is cutting the hair of the last customer of the day (SOYKA).
Soyka is a Chechen, well-groomed, wearing a sharp suit
beneath the barber's gown.
During the conversation we glimpse distinctive eagle- and
star-shaped tattoos on Soyka's arms and hands.
Ozim and Soyka are chatting as Ekrem enters. Soyka speaks
with a Russian accent.
OZIM
Guvenilmez... daginik... bloody
kids, you know... he says - `but
Amca it's Christmas?... Christmas!
We're Islam!
SOYKA
Oi, how much are you taking off?
OZIM
Christmas! So I said to him...
alisverise cimac. The kid's
sixteen...
Ozim brushes some hair off the customer's shoulder and
Ozim finally acknowledges Ekrem, who is shivering and wet
near to the door. Ekrem turns the `Open' sign to `Closed'.
OZIM (CONT'D)
They don't want to work do they.
Shicma....
EKREM
(hesitantly
interrupting)
Uncle Ozim.......
We see for the first time that Ekrem is shaking with fear
as well as cold.
(CONTINUED)
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2 CONTINUED: 2
OZIM
This is him. The kid I'm talking
about.
Ekrem approaches, stiffened by terror. Soyka nods at Ekrem
in the mirror.
SOYKA
He looks OK to me... how you doin'
Ekrem?
Soyka offers Ekrem a hand to shake and Ekrem stares at it
as if it were enchanted...
OZIM
He looks OK, yeah, but he won't do
one lousy thing for me. Here,
look... Ekrem, take this...
Ozim takes an open razor from behind a line of hair-tonic
bottles and hands it to Ekrem, who now looks mortally
terrified.
EKREM
Ozim... memnum etmek.
OZIM
We had a deal now he's backing
out.
SOYKA
(laughing)
Hey Ozim, leave the kid alone.
It's obviously a psychological
thing...
OZIM
Take it Ekrem.
SOYKA
Ozim, it's OK. I don't want a shave.
OZIM
This is the kid who walks around
like Al Capone. Take the fucking
ustura and finish this Rushca.
SOYKA
(startled)
What?
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 3.
2 CONTINUED: (2) 2
Soyka rises up from the seat, casting off his barber's
gown. Ozim yells `kabuka! And Ekrem snarls, flicks open
the razor and drags it across Soyka's throat. Soyka's scream
bubbles in the blood.
3 EXT. KILBURN HIGH ROAD - NIGHT 3
We dissolve to a Christmas decoration flashing on and off
in the rain, high on a lamp post in Kilburn High Road. We
pan down the lamp post to the High Road where revelers are
hurrying through the rain. We see a young girl (TATIANA)
hurrying across the street, wrapped in a dressing gown
with a man's overcoat thrown over the top of it. Her hair
is soaked as she approaches an all night chemist's shop.
She is barefoot.
4 INT. CHEMIST'S SHOP - NIGHT 4
The CHEMIST is delivering advice in Gujurati to a CUSTOMER.
Tatiana wipes rain from her face and the Chemist and the
customer react to her ragged appearance.
TATIANA
(Russian accent)
Please... I have...
CHEMIST
For methadone I need to see paper
prescription.
The customer looks at Tatiana's feet and reacts. We see
blood trickling down her legs. Tatiana looks down, then
faints onto the floor.
5 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. OPERATING WARD - NIGHT 5
We see Tatiana unconscious on a wheeled trolley bursting
through double doors into the operating ward of Trafalgar
hospital. The trolley is accompanied by TWO NURSES, a
JUNIOR DOCTOR and a midwife, (ANNA KHITROVA). The two
PARAMEDICS who brought her are following behind the trolley.
ANNA
Did you get a name?
PARAMEDIC
No.
(CONTINUED)
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5 CONTINUED: 5
CUT TO
6 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. OPERATING THEATER - NIGHT 6
A tiny brown handbag is being shaken empty by a nurse.
Tatiana is being prepared for an emergency Caesarean. The
theater is full of people in scrubs, including an
anesthetist. Monitors and drips are being attached at double
speed.
We notice that her arms are already dotted with festering
needle marks.
A nurse searches through the contents of the handbag and
we can hear frantic activity from the operating table....
NURSE 1
Her stats are very poor, very poor.
Baby's very distressed.
Anna approaches the nurse, who is rummaging through the
contents of the bag. We see a business card from a
restaurant called `The Trans-Siberian', a St. Christopher
necklace and a tiny battered diary. Anna grabs the diary.
JUNIOR DOCTOR
Shoulder distocia, I think. Stuck
on the pubic bone.
Cut to Anna at Tatiana's head. Anna strokes her face and
speaks softly.
ANNA
Darling... darling, can you hear
me?
NURSE
Baby's heart beat sixty... fifty-
eight, fifty-eight... fifty-seven...
JUNIOR DOCTOR
Anna, I'm trying to rotate the
shoulder medially... shit...
THE JUNIOR DOCTOR is breathing hard with a look of utter
panic as he attempts to free the baby.
The doors burst open and a more senior doctor in his mid
thirties (DOCTOR AZIZ) enters at a gallop. As he enters...
(CONTINUED)
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6 CONTINUED: 6
NURSE 1
Baby stats sixty-eight and in free
fall.
NURSE 2
I'm not getting a pulse.
Heartbeats. Doctor Aziz joins the junior doctor, who looks
out of his depth.
AZIZ
Speak to me...
Before the junior doctor can speak Anna speaks directly to
Aziz.
ANNA
(softly)
We need to get the baby out now.
Aziz knows he can take Anna's word...
AZIZ
OK, let's go.
All hell is let loose. As the Caesarean process begins at
frantic speed, we slowly zoom in on Tatiana's unconscious
face and hear her voice in V.O... a young girl's voice
speaking with an Russian accent. The crosstalk between
nurses and doctors becomes more and more frantic.
TATIANA (V.O.)
My name is Tatiana. My father
died in the mines in my village,
so he was already buried when he
died. We were all buried there.
Buried under the soil of Russia.
That is why I left to find a better
life.
We hear... a baby cry. Anna's face appears in our framed
shot of Tatiana's face. She gently kisses Tatiana's cheek.
ANNA
(whispers)
You had a girl.
A sheet is pulled over Tatiana's face. A nurse weighs the
screaming baby. Anna wipes her brow with the back of her
bloody wrist.
(CONTINUED)
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6 CONTINUED: (2) 6
AZIZ
Ok. Call it.
The Junior doctor and a nurse check watches and speak almost
in unison...
JUNIOR DOCTOR
Unidentified woman, died December
24th at 11.13.
NURSE
Baby girl, born December 24th at
11.14.
7 EXT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. LABOR WARD - MORNING 7
Anna leaves the labor ward, putting on her crash helmet.
She emerges out into the crisp, sunny morning. Aziz hurries
to catch her up and hands her a wrapped gift.
AZIZ
Merry Christmas, Anna.
ANNA
Oh, don't be ridiculous.
He grins.
AZIZ
And you have to open it in front
of me.
Aziz smiles as Anna unwraps a pair of leather motorcycling
gloves. She looks up at him, expressionless.
AZIZ (CONT'D)
At least pretend.
Anna considers the gloves.
ANNA
(deadpan))
In the whole entire history of my
life, I have never felt this
special.
AZIZ
Thank you.
(CONTINUED)
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7 CONTINUED: 7
Aziz plants a kiss on his two fingers and presses his
fingers against Anna's cheek through the open visor of the
helmet.
AZIZ (CONT'D)
Wear them. It's cold.
8 EXT. LONDON STREET - DAY 8
Anna rides her big vintage URAL motorcycle through deserted
morning streets. As she rides, we hear Tatiana in V.O.
TATIANA (V.O.)
I am so excited this morning.
Yesterday a friend came back to
our village and he told us all
about the places on the map that I
look at... Paris, Amsterdam, London.
He's been there for real...
9 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. ANNA'S BEDROOM - DAY 9
After the bright airiness of the bike ride, we are suddenly
in Anna's bedroom where the curtains are drawn. Anna is
lying awake on the bed, wearing a dressing gown.
TATIANA (V.O.)
...he said the future of everything
was already happening in all those
places.
There is a gentle knock at the door, which opens before
Anna can respond. It is ANNA'S MOTHER (HELEN) with a cup
of tea.
HELEN
Did you sleep?
ANNA
A bit.
HELEN
There's no point us tiptoeing around
if you're not even sleeping.
Helen puts the tea on the dressing table, then turns to
leave without a smile.
ANNA
Mum? Are you OK?
(CONTINUED)
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9 CONTINUED: 9
HELEN
(contrite)
Of course not. It's Christmas.
10 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 10
Anna is pouring two glasses of sherry. Helen is peeling
potatoes. Anna peers at Helen... and sees tears. They
share a moment of stifled emotion. Helen wipes her eyes
with her sleeve.
HELEN
It's the chicken.
(pause)
The smell of chicken roasting
reminds me of him.
ANNA
You should have done beef, then.
They look at each other and giggle. They both have potato
peelers in their wet hands, sleeves rolled up, two practical
unsentimental women being almost consumed by the same wave
of emotion.
HELEN
It wouldn't be Christmas without
tears in the gravy, would it.
We hear a gruff Russian voice calling out from the living
room (UNCLE STEPAN).
STEPAN (V.O.)
(angry)
Anna! Anna! Where did you get
this?
Anna and Helen roll their eyes.
HELEN
(whispering)
It's your own fault for giving him
something to play with.
ANNA
(irritated)
Well, I can't read Russian, can I?
Anna drops her peeler and hurries into the living room.
(CONTINUED)
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10 CONTINUED: 10
CUT TO
11 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. LIVING ROOM - DAY 11
The living room table is laid for dinner. Uncle Stepan is
early seventies, Russian. He is reading the tiny diary
that Anna found in Tatiana's bag. Anna breezes in.
ANNA
I told you, Uncle Stepan, I found
it in the handbag of a girl who
died in my ward.
STEPAN
Do you always rob the bodies of
the dead?
ANNA
(suppressed, familiar
anger)
Of course, we all do it. It's one
of the perks of working in a
hospital.
Stepan grumbles, accustomed to this teasing.
Helen enters carrying a bowl of walnuts and brazil nuts
which she places on the table.
Pause. Stepan looks pointedly at Helen.
STEPAN
Did you know that your daughter
robs the bodies of the dead?
(CONTINUED)
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11 CONTINUED: 11
ANNA
Stepan, is there an address?
Stepan lays the diary aside, obstinate and prim.
STEPAN
You have an uncle who doesn't steal
things from the dead. Not even
their secrets.
HELEN
Oh, don't go all momentous on us,
Stepan.
(she straightens
the table cloth)
Lift your elbows.
STEPAN
You should put this in her coffin,
Anna. Bury her secrets with her
bodies.
ANNA
Body. Singular.
Stepan leaves in a huff. Anna picks up the diary and begins
to study it. She sees the `Trans-Siberian' business card
between the pages.
ANNA (CONT'D)
How long will dinner be?
Helen looks at Anna, suspecting an attempt to escape.
12 EXT. LONDON STREETS - DAY 12
Driving music as we see Anna riding her motorbike through
deserted morning streets again. We should begin to sense
that this is a kind of release for her. We hear Tatiana
in V.O.
TATIANA (V.O.)
When I was little, London was like
a place in the Bible. I wasn't
even sure if it was real. My friend
has told me there is a place in
London where they pay girls to
sing.
(CONTINUED)
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12 CONTINUED: 12
Anna arrives outside the `Trans-Siberian' restaurant. It
has a Russian-themed frontage in blue and gold, expensively
and recently finished.
TATIANA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
He said if I sang in this restaurant
I would make more money in a week
than my father made in a year.
As Anna pulls up we hear a dog begin to bark.
13 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. SIDE ENTRANCE - DAY 13
The side door opens to reveal a hard-looking, handsome
Russian man (NIKOLAI), who stops to groom his hair back
from his face and put on a pair of sunglasses as he emerges
into daylight. He steps into a small courtyard, where a
fierce Doberman dog is barking and snarling on the end of
a chain.
Nikolai is followed by KIRILL, who is a little younger,
slim and pretty but hard-looking too. Kirill is dressed in
a crumpled T-shirt and jeans and looks like he had a heavy
night. Nikolai ignores the dog as he walks by but Kirill
yells at it and teases it with a whoop and few Russian
curses. Nikolai unbolts the gate to the street.
KIRILL
So you pick up Ozim and his bitch
of a wife and you bring them back
here.
He glances back at the restaurant and speaks softly.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Then I'll think of an excuse and
we can get away.
NIKOLAI
I'll think of an excuse. Your
excuses are like fucking fairy
tales.
Kirill grins and Nikolai flicks the fob of his car keys.
The lights on an expensive black Mercedes glow in response.
Kirill notices Anna locking up her bike at the front of
the restaurant.
KIRILL
Who the fuck's that?
(CONTINUED)
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13 CONTINUED: 13
They both see Anna removing her crash helmet and shaking
out her hair. She walks towards the front door.
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
Maybe somebody sent your dad a
hooker for Christmas.
KIRILL
(grinning)
You're so... fucking unbelievably
disrespectful.
Kirill sees that Nikolai is studying Anna and his grin
fades. We sense jealousy.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Hey, you've got work to do. Go...
Kirill grabs Nikolai's face to distract him, gives him a
playful slap, but there is somehow more to it than
playfulness. Nikolai gets into his car.
Kirill glares at Anna as she approaches the front of the
restaurant.
14 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - DAY 14
As Nikolai drives away, Anna rings the doorbell beside the
front door. There is no reply. She is about to ring again
when the door opens. We see SEMYON, a Russian man in his
late sixties. He is wiping his hands on a tea towel,
dressed in a spotlessly white apron. He has the sparkling
piercing eyes of a falcon.
SEMYON
We are closed.
ANNA
I know.
She fumbles in her bag.
ANNA (CONT'D)
Sorry... I'm a midwife.
Anna produces her hospital ID and shows it to Semyon.
(CONTINUED)
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14 CONTINUED: 14
SEMYON
(with a twinkle)
Then unless one of my daughters is
keeping something from me, you
have the wrong address.
ANNA
I'd like to speak to the Manager.
Semyon studies the name on the ID.
SEMYON
Khitrova?
ANNA
My dad was Russian.
Semyon seems suddenly delighted.
SEMYON
And his name?
ANNA
Ivan.
SEMYON
So, you are Anna Ivanovna.
15 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - DAY 15
The tables are set for a huge party. Kirill is now on
step ladders, fixing some Christmas decorations. Other
relatives are getting the place ready. Semyon hurries
through the restaurant, leading Anna by the hand.
SEMYON
We must hurry. I must stir. Stir,
stir or the gravy dies in my hands.
Today it is family. Here is my
son, Kirill.
(he hisses at Kirill)
Kirill! The berries are too low,
too low. And Roman, more glasses
for red!
(he claps his hands)
Come on!
Kirill follows Anna's progress through the restaurant with
a glare.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 13A.
15 CONTINUED: 15
There are three little girls in extravagant party frocks,
all holding violins and giggling near to the door that
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 14.
15 CONTINUED: (2) 15
leads to the kitchen. Semyon stops when he reaches them
and puts his hands on his hips.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
My angels. You should be
practising. You must make the
wood cry. Like this, like this...
Semyon grabs a violin and plays a three-second burst of
sad Russian violin music.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
You see...
Semyon hurries on into the kitchen. Anna smiles, delighted
at the eccentric old man.
16 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. KITCHEN - DAY 16
Inside the kitchen there is an inferno of activity, steam,
smoke. Family members, some dressed in their party outfits,
others in chefs' uniforms, are standing over steaming pots,
laughing, arguing. Children play and yell. You can almost
smell Christmas. Anna enters, dazzled by it all,
overwhelmed by the contrast to her own lifeless Christmas
kitchen. Semyon calls out to everyone.
SEMYON
Come, come, hurry, hurry. They
will be here any moment.
(to Anna)
Ok, show me this card.
Anna reaches into her pocket and produces the `Trans-
Siberian' business card she found in Tatiana's bag. Semyon
angles his head to look as he stirs.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
It is the old card. From before
the renovations. But even so, if
she had worked here I would remember
the name. Perhaps she ate here
once. Try this.
Semyon offers Anna a spoonful of his gravy. She sips it.
ANNA
God, that's amazing. My dad made
gravy just like that.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 15.
16 CONTINUED: 16
Semyon shrugs and smiles, his eyes twinkling, then goes
back to stirring. He speaks as if unconcerned.
SEMYON
So did you get a chance to talk to
this girl before she died?
17 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - DAY 17
Nikolai's black Mercedes pulls up outside the restaurant
and parks a few inches from Anna's motorbike. The rear
windows are sun shaded so we only see Nikolai in the
driver's seat. He gets out of the car and opens the rear
door of the car for an elegantly dressed Turkish lady in
her fifties. Nikolai goes to the other rear door. The
portly figure of Ozim the barber emerges. As Ozim gets out
he gives Nikolai a fifty-pound note.
18 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. KITCHEN - DAY 18
Two of the little girl violinists are fighting, pulling
each other's hair. The third is sobbing, sitting on the
floor. A young woman in a party dress is carrying a huge
silver bowl of sauce across the kitchen.
Anna looks delighted at the noise and energy of the place.
Finally Semyon emerges from a cloud of steam with a scrap
of paper.
SEMYON
This is an agency that hires casual
kitchen staff. Maybe you will
have more luck there. But I think
they will be closed until New Year.
As Anna takes the address, Kirill puts his head around
the door and yells through the noise.
KIRILL
Papa, Ozim is here.
Semyon is alarmed and claps his hand in urgent fashion.
SEMYON
Ten minutes!!
(to the rest of the
kitchen)
Fish, fish, fish! Ten minutes!
OK, Kirill, get him a drink and
tell him I am coming.
(CONTINUED)
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18 CONTINUED: 18
Semyon takes a pot from the heat, suddenly flustered.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Anna, I'm so sorry I couldn't help.
It is sad.
ANNA
That's OK. I'll probably find out
more when I get her diary
translated.
SEMYON
Her diary?
There is the tiniest of changes in Semyon's manner. He
lays his heavy pot down.
ANNA
I found her diary in her bag.
A pause. Semyon disappears into a billow of steam to put
a pan onto the heat then re-emerges.
SEMYON
Why did you not tell me you found
a diary?
He peers at her for a moment, his eyes hardening a little.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
OK, Anna, this is how it will be.
You will bring the diary here and
I will translate it for you. Then
if we get the names of any relatives
I will call them myself. I am
something of a... community leader
for the Russians here in this
unfriendly city. What do you say?
Semyon hoists a passing child into his arms.
ANNA
I was going to ask my uncle....
SEMYON
(apparently not
hearing)
And when you come I will make you
some more gravy like your papa
used to make and you can try the
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
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18 CONTINUED: (2) 18
SEMYON (CONT'D)
fish with the sauce. OK? Tomorrow,
yes? Shall we say seven?
Anna is a little overwhelmed.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Then it is settled. But for now,
you must forgive me.
Semyon shrugs then kisses Anna on both cheeks.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Dosvedania.
(Goodbye)
ANNA
Dosvedania.
Anna heads for the door that leads back to the restaurant.
Semyon goes back to stirring but as he stirs he calls out.
SEMYON
Oh Anna, you always work at the
Trafalgar hospital?
ANNA
Yes, always.
A pause before Anna leaves Semyon to his clouds of steam.
19 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - DAY 19
Kirill and Ozim are talking confidentially in a mix of
Russian and Turkish whispers at a table. Ozim's wife is
at a table alone, well out of their earshot, smoking a
cigarette and peeling glazed figs. As Anna walks by, Ozim
and Kirill stop talking. The scene has a much darker mood
to the bustling scene in the kitchen, but for now Anna
feels no unease. As she passes, Kirill surveys her with a
deadly smile and a professional eye.
KIRILL
Hey, you OK? You want a drink?
ANNA
No, thanks. I'm driving.
As Anna smiles, Ozim mumbles something in Turkish and Kirill
shushes him.
(CONTINUED)
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19 CONTINUED: 19
KIRILL
OK. Merry Christmas. Drive safely.
Ozim giggles. Anna departs.
20 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - DAY 20
Anna emerges into the daylight. As she does she sees that
four expensive-looking cars have already parked and various
ostentatiously dressed Russian and Turkish couples with
their children are emerging from their cars. The women are
all wearing furs, even the little girls. The men wear
leather or dark suits. They greet each other exuberantly
as they emerge from their cars. Anna suddenly feels
slightly uneasy. As she approaches her motorbike she sees
Nikolai leaning against the bonnet of his car, smoking,
still wearing shades. His bumper is almost touching Anna's
bike.
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
Nice bike.
ANNA
What?
NIKOLAI
Nice bike.
ANNA
Thank you.
NIKOLAI
A Ural. You don't see them anymore.
ANNA
It was my dad's.
NIKOLAI
How much do you want for it?
Anna has already taken a dislike to this man. He is
arrogant and looks potentially violent. His shades, suit
and tattoos say it all.
ANNA
(irritated)
It has sentimental value.
Nikolai rolls the concept around in his mind and considers.
(CONTINUED)
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20 CONTINUED: 20
NIKOLAI
`Sentimental value'. I've heard
of that.
Anna puts her helmet on.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 19.
20 CONTINUED: (2) 20
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
You're not staying for the party?
ANNA
No.
NIKOLAI
Nor me. Chauffeurs don't get
invited. You want to go for a
drink instead?
Anna mounts her bike.
ANNA
It's Christmas. Everything's
closed.
Nikolai smiles.
NIKOLAI
Sometimes if things are closed you
just open them up, you know?
Anna now feels intimidated and luckily the bike fires first
time. She rides away. Nikolai watches her go and then
stubs his cigarette.
21 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. DINING ROOM - NIGHT 21
Sudden silence... perhaps the ticking of a clock. This is
Anna's Christmas dinner, a total contrast to the chaos of
the restaurant. Stepan is attempting to carve the chicken.
STEPAN
Anna, how come is it that your
boyfriend isn't here to carve?
Stepan takes a large sip of vodka.
ANNA
I don't live with Oliver any more,
Uncle Stepan. I'm living back
here for a bit.
HELEN
(softly)
For as long as you want.
STEPAN
I knew he would run away from you.
(CONTINUED)
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21 CONTINUED: 21
ANNA
He didn't run away. You make me
sound like a burning building.
STEPAN
Black men always run away.
HELEN
Oh Stepan!
STEPAN
What? I am allowed to be honest?
HELEN
He was a doctor, Stepan.
ANNA
What the hell has that got to do
with it?
A pause. Stepan sips his vodka.
STEPAN
It is not natural to mix race and
race. That is why your baby died
inside you.
Anna slams her napkin onto the table.
HELEN
Stepan, shut up!
(Anna gets to her
feet)
Please Anna.
Helen takes Anna's hand but she turns and leaves. Helen
stands to follow her, but first she whips Stepan's vodka
away from him.
HELEN (CONT'D)
You're just how he was. Stupid
bloody drunken Russians.
22 EXT. HELEN'S HOUSE. GARDEN - NIGHT 22
The garden is just outside the kitchen.
Anna is lighting a cigarette. Helen steps outside and
reacts to the cigarette. She is about to admonish Anna
for smoking, but Anna speaks first.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 21.
22 CONTINUED: 22
ANNA
It's Christmas. I'm thirty-one.
A pause. Anna blows smoke, clearly upset.
HELEN
Anna, you know what he's like.
ANNA
I don't give a damn about Stepan.
Who has that poor baby got in the
whole world?
Helen reacts.
HELEN
I knew this would happen.
ANNA
Good. Fine. So you know
everything.
HELEN
Anna, she isn't your responsibility.
ANNA
The baby is my responsibility until
I hand her over to the mother.
The mother is dead.
HELEN
Then it's up to the proper
authorities.
Anna smiles as if in agreement.
ANNA
The proper authorities will all be
skiing until after New Year.
Anna coughs a little then stubs her cigarette. Helen takes
the butt as if it were poisonous.
HELEN
It's part of the grieving.
ANNA
What grieving?
Helen touches her hand. An inadequate gesture.
(CONTINUED)
GOLDENROD Revision - 11/27/06 22.
22 CONTINUED: (2) 22
HELEN
In the last year you've lost your
father and you lost a baby.
Anna is irritated but doesn't put words to her feelings.
HELEN (CONT'D)
Come in and have your dinner.
ANNA
I'm not hungry.
Anna and Helen look into each other's eyes for a moment
before Helen heads for the kitchen, carrying the cigarette
butt as if it were a deadly snake.
22A INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. S.C.B.U. CHRISTINE'S PRIVATE ROOM -22A
NIGHT
In a private room in the Special Care Baby Unit, Anna
approaches Tatiana's baby's plastic crib. The baby is
tightly bundled up, sound asleep. Through the windows of
the room, we see the darkened, quiet ward outside - another
world.
Anna stands over the baby, her face full of emotion. There
we see pain, loss, shame, emptiness, isolation. Tears begin
to roll from her eyes, and then she is sobbing soundlessly.
23 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 23
The Trans-Siberian restaurant is smoky with cigarettes and
cigars. The party is in full swing with two dozen guests
and family. One of the golden-haired children is playing
violin badly. The language is Russian, English and Turkish
mixed. Kirill is bringing a huge baked carp to the table.
His mobile phone rings and he wipes his hands on a towel
to answer it.
When he hears the voice, Kirill glances at his father and
moves quickly out of earshot. Semyon notices but hides
his concern. As Kirill walks, a child tugs his leg and
holds up a soft toy, asking a question in Russian.
KIRILL
(to child)
He's called Goofy... Goofy yeah.
(into phone)
So the coast is clear, yeah? What?
I said `coast'.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
GOLDENROD Revision - 11/27/06 22A.
23 CONTINUED: 23
KIRILL (CONT'D)
(pause)
No, not the beach. It's an English
expression, you fucking baboon. I
mean...
(hissing out of ear
shot)
...there are no police. You sure?
Good.
Kirill glances over at Semyon, who is apparently lost
amongst a sea of children, but we see from the corner of
his eye he is watching Kirill.
(CONTINUED)
GREEN Revision - 11/24/06 23.
23 CONTINUED: (2) 23
KIRILL (CONT'D)
(to phone)
No, my dad's not involved. I'm a
big boy now. I do my own stuff.
Yeah. Merry Christmas.
Kirill cuts the call and nods to Ozim, who stubs his cigar.
Semyon notices their silent communication, then turns to
one of the violin-playing angels, smiles, and kisses her
on both cheeks.
24 OMITTED 24
25 EXT. OZIM'S BARBER SHOP - NIGHT 25
We see the car pull up sharply outside Ozim's barber's
shop. Nikolai jumps out and opens the door for Ozim.
26 OMITTED 26
The three men walk to the door beside the barber shop.
Ozim takes a bunch of keys out and prepares to open the
door to the upstairs. He stops.
OZIM
The driver stays down here.
Kirill smiles and shakes his head.
KIRILL
You really think I do this kind of
thing?
Kirill puts his hand on Nikolai's shoulder
KIRILL (CONT'D)
This guy's not a driver. He's an
undertaker.
Ozim looks at Nikolai, highly dubious.
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 24.
27 INT. OZIM'S BARBER SHOP. UPSTAIRS ROOMS - NIGHT 27
The rooms above Ozim's shop have been converted into a
drinking club. Ozim leads Nikolai and Kirill through the
debris of the night before. As they walk through, Ekrem
suddenly leaps out of the darkness with a yell. Kirill
and Nikolai both react with instinctive aggression.
OZIM
Hey, hey, hey Ekrem, sakim, durgun,
durgun.
EKREM
I got tickets, Ozim. It's with
Chelsea. They said there was no
tickets but I got tickets for the
Chelsea game.
OZIM
OK, OK, OK. You go and watch a
DVD, yeah?
Ekrem nods and hugs Ozim. We realize he is slightly
deranged. Finally he lets Ozim go and leaves. Kirill
watches him go.
KIRILL
He knows to say he hasn't seen us,
right Ozim?
Ozim finds the key to the kitchen.
OZIM
He don't know anything. He's
touched by the angels.
Ozim opens the kitchen door.
28 INT. OZIM'S BARBER SHOP. KITCHEN - NIGHT 28
Inside the kitchen there are carcasses of lambs hanging
from meat hooks. There are knives and skewers around the
place. Ozim stops and locks the kitchen door behind them.
29 INT. OZIM'S BARBER SHOP. KITCHEN - NIGHT 29
The freezer door opens and Ozim gestures towards a large
package bound up in black bin liners which are dusted with
frost. Kirill nods to Nikolai who grabs the package and
hauls it out onto the kitchen floor. Kirill tears a hole
in the bin liner and we see the frost-dusted face of Soyka.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 25.
29 CONTINUED: 29
Kirill studies the face and nods.
KIRILL
That's him.
Kirill crosses himself.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
There was a time when he was like
a brother to me.
He puts his hand on his heart with mock solemnity.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Now he looks like a fucking ice
cream.
Kirill giggles.
OZIM
(softly)
Hey, hey, show some respect for a
dead man.
KIRILL
Respect? This is respect.
Kirill reaches into his pocket and produces an envelope
which he hands to Ozim. As Ozim opens the envelope and
begins to count the huge wad of cash, Kirill turns to
Nikolai.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
OK, Nikolai, he's all yours. And
show some respect. This Muslim is
scared of ghosts.
Nikolai squeezes the body inside the bags. It is rock
hard.
NIKOLAI
Have you got a hair dryer?
30 INT. OZIM'S BARBER SHOP. KITCHEN - NIGHT 30
We cut close to an ancient-looking hair dryer from the
shop downstairs being trained onto a human hand with a
large eagle tattoo. We pull wide to reveal the full,
gruesome scene.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 26.
30 CONTINUED: 30
Nikolai has the body of Soyka laid out on a surface, his
head still bound up in a bin bag, his lower portions bound
up similarly. Nikolai is de-frosting Soyka's left hand
with the hair dryer, concentrating on his ring finger which
has a gold ring on it. The parts of Soyka's shirt and
jacket which are visible are crusted with frozen blood.
Nikolai is wearing rubber gloves.
As he dries, Nikolai takes a sip of coffee. Ozim is
watching this scene with horror. Kirill has his arms
folded, mightily impressed.
Finally the hand is thawed enough for Nikolai to remove
the gold ring. He studies an inscription and then offers
it to Ozim. Ozim shakes his head as if the thing were a
contagion. Nikolai shrugs and pockets it. He then turns
the hair dryer back on and blows some hot air onto the
crisply bloody chest of Soyka. He tugs at the frozen lapel
of the jacket and blows air into the inside pocket. Within
a few moments he is able to remove Soyka's glistening,
thawing wallet which is caked in frozen blood. He opens
it (we glimpse a photo of a wife and children) and blows
hot air onto the money inside.
He tugs a wad of frozen bank notes from the wallet, all
stuck together by drops of frozen blood. He offers this
money to Ozim as well but Ozim shakes his head vigorously.
Kirill hoots with laughter. Ozim is now staring at Nikolai
as if he were a devil from hell.
Nikolai grabs a plastic bag and puts the money inside it,
then pockets the frozen wad. He tosses the rest of the
frozen wallet to Ozim, who instinctively catches it.
NIKOLAI
You'd better burn that.
Ozim, reacting to the cold of the wallet and to the horror
of it, drops the thing on the floor. Nikolai looks at
Ozim as if he were a complete amateur.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Did you finish cutting his hair?
Ozim can't answer.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
I just thought you might want six-
fifty out of his pockets.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 27.
30 CONTINUED: (2) 30
Kirill laughs. Nikolai takes a deep breath to prepare
himself.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
OK, now I'm going to do his teeth
and cut off his fingers.
(to Ozim)
You might want to leave the room.
Ozim thinks, decides, leaves fast. A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
You too, Kirill.
Kirill smiles and pats Nikolai on the cheek.
Kirill leaves. Nikolai is left alone. His hand shakes a
little as he picks up his cup of coffee.
31 EXT. NINE ELMS. ABANDONED DOCK - MORNING 31
Nikolai pulls up beside a rusting crane on the abandoned
dock in a dry-cleaner's van. Kirill watches as Nikolai
grabs the semi-thawed body, now bagged and tied, lifts it
onto his shoulder, and smartly approaches the dockside.
KIRILL
Aren't you going to weight him
down or something?
Nikolai drops the body into the water with a splash.
NIKOLAI
If you want to dump a body, this
is the place. The currents keep
it under the surface until past
the barrier.
Nikolai and Kirill watch as the body is swallowed by a
fast ocean-bound current.
32 EXT. LONDON STREET - NIGHT 32
Anna pulls up at some lights on her motorbike.
TATIANA (V.O.)
My friend said he would get me to
Amsterdam and from there we could
find a way into London. I have
been practising my singing and
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 28.
32 CONTINUED: 32
TATIANA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
have even rejoined the church choir.
I am also practising my English.
33 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 33
Semyon sits alone at the dinner table in the restaurant
where before there was family and uproar. Outside it's
dark and raining. He is reading a Russian crime novel. A
half-empty bottle of vodka sits on the table.
Tatiana's voice-over continues as we cut inside the
restaurant.
TATIANA (V.O.)
My friend says his uncle owns the
restaurant where you can sing. He
is sure this man will take care of
me.
There is a knock at the door and Semyon looks up sharply.
His eyes glisten. He puts his novel aside.
34 INT./EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. DOOR - NIGHT 34
Semyon is unlocking the door and discovering, in the drizzle
and half light, that it is Anna.
SEMYON
Ah. My dear! I wasn't expecting
you so early.
ANNA
Is it OK?
35 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 35
Semyon and Anna are sitting down at the candlelit table.
Anna fumbles in her bag and produces a sheaf of photocopied
sheets. She has photocopied the pages of the diary and
they are laid out in segments on each page.
ANNA
I copied the whole thing.
Semyon takes the pages and looks troubled.
SEMYON
Where is the original?
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 29.
35 CONTINUED: 35
ANNA
I'm going to keep it. Maybe give
it to Tatiana's daughter someday.
Semyon looks thwarted but hides it well. He studies the
photocopied sheets for a while then looks up and smiles.
SEMYON
I will need my spectacles and a
clear head. Today I broke my rules
and drank vodka. Tomorrow I will
translate it.
He folds the papers carefully.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Then I will bring what I have done
to your home. Where do you live,
Anna?
There is nothing in Semyon's smile to cause alarm but Anna
perhaps remembers Nikolai. Finally...
ANNA
Not far. I can drop by and pick
it up.
SEMYON
Then maybe I can drive you home.
ANNA
I'm fine. I'm on my motorbike.
Semyon stares at her for a moment.
SEMYON
So what will happen to the poor
child?
ANNA
After Christmas, they'll do a
missing persons report.
SEMYON
Who will?
ANNA
The police.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 30.
35 CONTINUED: (2) 35
Semyon doesn't blink. At that moment a little girl of
seven (MARIA) emerges from the darkness, carrying a soft
toy.
MARIA
Grandpa.
SEMYON
Hey, hey, Maria, go back to bed.
MARIA
I'm too sad. Next Christmas isn't
for another hundreds and hundreds
of days.
Semyon takes her onto his knee. As he does, we see, for
the first time, an eagle tattoo on his wrist.
SEMYON
But you have had so many presents.
The girl wafts Semyon's cigar smoke.
MARIA
You shouldn't smoke, Grandpa.
SEMYON
I know.
Semyon cuddles Maria and stubs his cigar.
Anna smiles at the warm family scene, perhaps remembering
her own father.
36 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 36
Nikolai gets out of the Mercedes and helps an extremely
pissed Kirill out of the car into the rain. Kirill is so
drunk he slips through Nikolai's hands and lands in the
gutter.
KIRILL
We're partners now, man, you know?
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 31.
36 CONTINUED: 36
NIKOLAI
Yeah, yeah, I know.
Nikolai manages to lift him to his feet again. As they
head towards the restaurant, Anna emerges. Nikolai looks
up, curious, as Semyon kisses her on both cheeks in the
doorway. As she turns Kirill stumbles forwards and collapses
in front of her. Nikolai looks up at Anna, his face
splashed with rain.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
What? You never seen anybody pissed
before?
Semyon looks down at the drunken Kirill and slams the door
of the restaurant. Nikolai sighs, then turns to Kirill
and starts to go through his pockets.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Come on, Kirill. Where are your
keys?
Anna walks around the two of them, watching the undignified
struggle as Nikolai finds Kirill's keys. Nikolai smiles
at her.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Who are you, anyway?
Anna hurries away into the rain. Nikolai finds Kirill's
keys and drags him toward the door of the restaurant.
37 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 37
Nikolai heaves Kirill into a chair. Semyon is back at his
novel and watches as Kirill attempts to get to his feet
and then stumbles to the floor. He slumps down, now
totally unconscious, breathing deeply. Nikolai smiles.
NIKOLAI
We went to a Kurdish place. They
don't even celebrate Christmas.
Semyon steps up to where Kirill is lying and stands over
him for a moment. Then he kicks him hard in the guts with
all his might. Nikolai is shocked, and grabs Semyon's
arm. A hand laid upon him is like deadly poison. Kirill
grunts and moans.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 32.
37 CONTINUED: 37
KIRILL
Hey, Papa, what did I do? This is
Merry Christmas or what?
Semyon kicks him hard in the guts again.
NIKOLAI
I think he's had enough.
Nikolai steps in between Semyon and Kirill. Semyon is
shocked that anyone should face him like this.
SEMYON
Who... the fuck... are you to tell
me enough?
Nikolai's face hardens.
NIKOLAI
We're partners.
Nikolai looks down at Kirill.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
He's thunder, I'm lightning. He
makes all the noise, I do all the
damage.
SEMYON
I hired you as a driver...
Semyon bends to roughly hoist Kirill into a chair.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
...someone to stop him killing
himself.
NIKOLAI
Well, you got more than a driver.
Nikolai reaches into his pocket for a business card and
offers it to Semyon. As Semyon looks at the card in the
candle light, he also sees the TATTOO OF AN EAGLE on
Nikolai's hand.
It is obvious that the tattoo means more than the card to
Semyon, and he reacts.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
I run a mini-cab business.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 33.
37 CONTINUED: (2) 37
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Albanians, Chechens, Russians.
They deliver packages. Anything.
Anywhere.
A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
I only took this job so that I
could get to meet you.
(in Russian)
I think you and I could do business
together.
A pause. Semyon looks at Nikolai with utter contempt.
SEMYON
I have no idea what business you're
talking about. Now get out.
Nikolai smiles and then leaves. Semyon watches him go
then peers at his drunken, sleeping son with something
approaching compassion.
38 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 38
Nikolai hurries out to his car in the rain. He hears an
engine splutter and spots Anna still trying to kick-start
her motorbike. He approaches. She's already soaked.
Nikolai watches her try to start the bike and fail.
NIKOLAI
You've got water in it.
Deadpan, Anna looks up and holds out her hand into pouring
rain.
ANNA
Water? What makes you think that?
Anna tries to start the bike again. Nothing.
NIKOLAI
The postmen used these. In my
village. When I was a boy. Russian
copy of BMW flat twin.
Anna tries one more time to start the bike and growls with
fury. Nikolai gently takes her shoulders and after a brief
resistance Anna climbs off the bike. Nikolai sits astride
it. He kicks it. It fails to start. Anna folds her arms.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 33A.
38 CONTINUED: 38
He tries again. And again. He climbs off.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 34.
38 CONTINUED: (2) 38
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Get a bus.
Anna curses under her breath. Nikolai isn't sure what to
make of her. She begins to chain the bike's rear wheel.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
You got far to go?
Anna tucks her crash helmet under her arm and prepares to
set off walking.
ANNA
Just across the park.
NIKOLAI
I'm a driver. I even do limousines.
Look...
Nikolai opens the rear car door.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
If Semyon found out I let one of
his guests walk home in the rain,
he'd fire me. And I can take care
of your bike. So...
Nikolai holds open the rear car door. Rain pours.
39 EXT. LONDON STREET - NIGHT 39
Nikolai is driving Anna through the rain-swept streets.
The wipers beat time as they drive in silence. As Nikolai
holds the steering wheel, Anna sees the intricate detail
of the eagle tattoo on the back of his right hand.
NIKOLAI
So you're a midwife. Jesus.
Anna smiles politely.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
What's it like?
ANNA
You get used to it.
A pause. Nikolai seems vaguely horrified at a memory.
NIKOLAI
I didn't faint, but it was close.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 35.
39 CONTINUED: 39
ANNA
How many have you got?
Nikolai half shrugs. Pause.
ANNA (CONT'D)
What, you don't know?
NIKOLAI
Yeah, I know, I know, it's just...
it makes me upset, you know?
Thinking about it. This time of
year. They're back in Yekaterinburg.
In the forests. Near the mountains.
A long pause.
ANNA
Left here.
Nikolai turns.
ANNA (CONT'D)
So Semyon employs you?
NIKOLAI
I'm... sort of freelance.
ANNA
You said he'd fire you.
Nikolai doesn't answer. Anna decides she can be bold.
ANNA (CONT'D)
Did you ever meet a girl called
Tatiana?
NIKOLAI
I meet lots of girls called Tatiana.
ANNA
She was pregnant.
NIKOLAI
In that case, no, I never heard of
her.
Anna doesn't care for the smile on Nikolai's face.
ANNA
She died last night on my shift.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 36.
39 CONTINUED: (2) 39
NIKOLAI
I thought you did birth.
ANNA
Sometimes birth and death go
together.
(pause)
She had needle punctures all over
both arms. Dehydration, emaciation.
Early presentation of syphilis.
Probably a prostitute. At the age
of fourteen.
NIKOLAI
(quickly, without a
pause)
You know what? I hate the rain.
This time of year. You ever been
to Russia at Christmas? Man, snow
that covers your whole house.
Nikolai glances at Anna in the rear-view mirror.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Oh yeah. And the ice. Whole lakes
covered in ice. You don't want to
walk across them, though. Ice
gets thin where you least expect
it.
ANNA
You think Semyon's son knew her?
NIKOLAI
Like I said, I'm a driver. I go
left, I go right, I go straight
ahead. That's it.
Anna nods, her curiosity and suspicions aroused. Nikolai
glances at her.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
What?
ANNA
Just here is great.
Nikolai pulls over and Anna opens her door to escape.
ANNA (CONT'D)
How much do I owe you?
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 37.
39 CONTINUED: (3) 39
NIKOLAI
Christmas present.
39A EXT. HELEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT 39A
Nikolai watches her hurry to her front door and let herself
in.
40 EXT. THE BANKS OF THE THAMES - NEXT MORNING 40
Somewhere within sight of the Thames barrier.
A dozen policemen and forensic investigators are milling
round on a shale beach, the icy waters of the Thames lapping
at their feet.
40A INT. FORENSIC TENT - MORNING 40A
A large tent has been erected over the body of Soyka. Inside
the tent two senior police officers await the arrival of a
third man, a specialist from the Russian desk (YURI), who
is not dressed for the weather. He has obviously been
dragged out of bed. He is led to the side of the body.
One of the officers pulls up the dead man's hand and shows
him the eagle tattoo.
OFFICER
We think he might be Russian Mafia.
Yuri studies the tattoo, then borrows a torch. He crouches
to push up the wet trouser leg on the corpse's right leg.
When the knee is exposed in torch light we see a small
star tattooed on the knee cap.
YURI
He is actually a Chechen. He is
also a member of the vory v zakone.
The stars on the knees mean he
would never kneel before anyone.
Yuri opens the dead man's shirt and we see a tattoo of an
eight-pointed star on his chest.
YURI (CONT'D)
In Russian prisons, your life story
is written on your body in tattoos.
You don't exist without tattoos.
(pause)
He was a captain.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 37A.
40A CONTINUED: 40A
He then checks out the fingers in the torchlight and we
glimpse that the finger tips have been sawn off.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 37B.
40A CONTINUED: (2) 40A
YURI (CONT'D)
But he has been processed
professionally.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 38.
40A CONTINUED: (3) 40A
Yuri straightens and grabs a paper towel to wipe his hands.
OFFICER
There was something else. It was...
inside the body. Chest cavity.
The officer holds up a small zip-lock bag which has a
handwritten note sealed inside it. The handwriting is just
visible through the wet cellophane.
40B EXT. THE BANKS OF THE THAMES - MORNING 40B
Yuri steps outside the forensic tent. He opens the bag and
takes out the note. He unfolds it to read, then smiles to
himself.
41 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. ANNA'S BEDROOM - MORNING 41
Anna is drying her hair, looking at herself in the mirror.
She turns off the dryer. There is a knock on the door.
HELEN
Anna?
Helen enters looking anxious. We see Stepan hovering in
the background.
HELEN (CONT'D)
Stepan, come here. Tell her what
you told me.
Stepan stands primly in the doorway, strangely defiant.
ANNA
What?
(pause)
Stepan, what? I'm late for work.
He shakes his head angrily. Finally from behind his back
he produces Tatiana's diary.
ANNA (CONT'D)
Who gave you that?
HELEN
It was on the dresser.
ANNA
Mum, you can't go through my things.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 38A.
41 CONTINUED: 41
HELEN
You wanted him to translate it.
Anna gets up to grab the diary.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 39.
41 CONTINUED: (2) 41
ANNA
And he said he wouldn't do it so
I've found somebody else.
Stepan explodes.
STEPAN
No Anna! You don't go to someone
else with this! You don't go to
anyone! Nasilovanie, it means rape.
Iglah, it means needle.
Prostitutcia, perhaps you can guess.
Stepan hands the diary to Anna and then turns.
STEPAN (CONT'D)
I go to wash my hands.
He disappears. Anna and Helen are left in awkward silence.
Anna buries the diary in her dressing table drawer. Helen
looks at her with anxiety.
HELEN
Anna, Stepan said this girl ended
up in the hands of the vory v
zakone. Do you know what that
means?
ANNA
Just because I'm back in this room
doesn't mean I'm twelve again.
HELEN
You never listened to me even then!
ANNA
Look, if I don't find a relative
in the next few days they'll put
Christine out for fostering. Once
she's in the system, she'll never
get out again.
A pause.
HELEN
Who named her Christine?
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 40.
41 CONTINUED: (3) 41
ANNA
I had to call her something. It
sounds like Christmas.
(pause)
She's very beautiful.
Helen is now deeply concerned.
HELEN
If I can persuade Stepan to
translate it, will you leave the
rest to the police?
Anna looks at Helen, then digs out the diary and hands it
to her.
ANNA
Tell him I've heard bad words
before.
Helen is about to leave. She stops in the doorway.
HELEN
Your father used to say the vory
are a contagious disease. There's
no cure once they've touched you.
A pause. Anna smiles.
ANNA
Momma, this is London.
42 INT. SUBURBAN HOUSE. NEGLECTED SITTING ROOM - DAY 42
We are in HARLESDEN, NORTH LONDON.
A large portable stereo is playing rock music.
The curtains are drawn against daylight. The living room
is decorated in seventies suburban style, but with the
wall paper peeling and the paint work fading. Kitsch
paintings still decorate the walls.
Six young East-European girls are sitting on a broken-down
sofa and on hard-backed chairs, wearing short skirts. Their
eyes are sunken and their faces vacant of expression, but
they are painted with so much make-up they almost look
like tiny, sad clowns.
They sit in silence as the music blares out. After a few
moments a young Albanian man enters and claps his hands.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 41.
42 CONTINUED: 42
ALBANIAN
OK, boss is here. Boss, boss.
You make him happy...
All the girls apart from one immediately get to their feet
and begin to dance to the music, their bodies moving
awkwardly and painfully. The Albanian approaches the one
girl who refused to stand and yanks her to her feet.
He slaps her hard and hisses at her in Albanian. She tries
to sit down again but he pulls her up and slaps her again.
Finally he shoves her into the middle of the room and she
begins to dance, sobbing as she does.
ALBANIAN (CONT'D)
No fucking crying. It's a party!
43 EXT. SUBURBAN HOUSE - DAY 43
Kirill and Nikolai are climbing out of Nikolai's Mercedes.
Kirill is in full flow as they walk towards the house.
The rock music is audible outside the house.
KIRILL
So he said to me, `who is this
driver guy?' I laughed so hard.
Kirill knocks on the door hard.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
And I said you were the safest guy
I'd met. Solid.
A pause.
NIKOLAI
And what did he say?
KIRILL
You know my dad. He didn't say
nothing. But his eyes looked
impressed.
The door opens and the Albanian opens his arms in welcome.
ALBANIAN
Kirill!
KIRILL
Get out of the fucking way, you
black gypsy baboon.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 42.
43 CONTINUED: 43
Kirill pushes his way inside and Nikolai follows.
44 INT. SUBURBAN HOUSE. SITTING ROOM - DAY 44
Kirill and Nikolai are swigging whisky from the bottle and
dancing with the girls. Some of the girls are drinking,
too, and managing to laugh. Kirill is dancing maniacally
and swinging his girl around faster and faster until she
falls over.
Nikolai swigs his drink and notices the girl who refused
to stand up. She is standing in the corner, sobbing.
Nikolai doesn't care to look at her for more than a second
and he goes back to dancing.
After a moment Kirill dances his way over to Nikolai and
yells above the music.
KIRILL
OK, which one you going to fuck!?
NIKOLAI
(laughing)
What's it to you?
KIRILL
Serious. Pick one.
NIKOLAI
I'm just enjoying myself, man...
Kirill suddenly stops dancing and stares at Nikolai. He
yells again over the music.
KIRILL
You hear me? You're going to fuck
one of these girls.
NIKOLAI
OK, OK, Jesus...
KIRILL
You're going to fuck one of these
girls right now. That's an order.
NIKOLAI
What? What's the matter with you?
Kirill suddenly goes to the stereo system and yanks the
plug from the wall. Silence. The girls look terrified.
The only sound is the sobbing of the girl who won't dance.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 43.
44 CONTINUED: 44
Kirill is glaring at Nikolai.
KIRILL
Come on Nikolai. Who are you going
to fuck?
A pause.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
I'm recommending you to my dad. I
want to make sure you're not a
fucking queer.
Kirill looks suddenly wild. He swigs his whisky. A long
pause.
NIKOLAI
You've drunk enough Kirill.
KIRILL
Enough?
Kirill hurls his whisky bottle against the wall. The girls
all flinch.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
You fucking Siberian ox don't tell
a vor what is enough.
A pause. Nikolai studies Kirill's anger.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
I've brought you to my dad's best
stable. He uses this place himself.
They're all clean. Now I'm going
to watch you fuck one of these
girls to prove to me that you ain't
queer.
A pause.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
So which one is it going to be?
Silence. Nikolai looks around the room. Finally... Nikolai
turns to the girl who is sobbing.
NIKOLAI
Her.
Kirill smiles.
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 44.
45 INT. SUBURBAN HOUSE. BEDROOM - DAY 45
Nikolai is fucking the girl, who is now silent. She is on
all fours, registering no emotion.
Kirill is leaning against the wall, drinking wine from the
bottle, watching Nikolai with burning eyes, his lust and
drunken jealousy mixing together. Nikolai grits his teeth
and comes inside the girl. Kirill whoops and whistles and
begins to applaud.
The girl is still silent, expressionless.
KIRILL
You did OK! You did OK.
NIKOLAI
Yeah?
Nikolai glares at Kirill.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Well if my examination is over,
get the fuck out of here while I
get dressed.
Kirill grins and offers the girl an elaborate bow before
leaving. Finally alone, Nikolai gently helps the girl to
lie down. She is numb. He covers her up with a blanket
then begins to pull on his clothes. The girl is staring up
at the ceiling.
After a few moments she begins to sing a Russian folk song
softly under her breath. Nikolai speaks to her softly in
Russian.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
What's your last name?
A pause. Finally the girl stops singing but is silent.
Nikolai is insistent.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
Tell me your last name.
GIRL
Kirilenko.
(CONTINUED)
GOLDENROD Revision - 11/27/06 45.
45 CONTINUED: 45
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
Where are you from?
Silence. She looks up and stares into Nikolai's eyes.
She sees some urgency there...
GIRL
Ukraine.
NIKOLAI
(in Ukrainian)
Where? Which village? Which town?
GIRL
(in Ukrainian)
Irpen. Outside Kiev.
The girl is asking a silent question but Nikolai doesn't
linger. He heads for the door then stops and turns.
NIKOLAI
(in Ukrainian)
Stay alive a little longer.
46 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. S.C.B.U. CHRISTINE'S PRIVATE ROOM -46
NIGHT
In the half-lit private room, Anna is dancing with Christine
in her arms. She is singing a lullaby softly to her. The
door is open to the rest of the ward and all the other
babies are silent.
Finally she lays a sleeping Christine back in her crib.
She sits down on the bed where the mother should be. She
curses herself silently and gets to her feet, determined
to pull herself together.
As she starts to leave the private room to enter the ward,
she is suddenly confronted by Semyon.
He is standing in the shadows, a Bavarian trilby in his
hands. Anna gasps with shock. Semyon speaks softly...
SEMYON
Hello Anna. I came on tiptoes.
ANNA
How did you get in here?
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 45A.
46 CONTINUED: 46
SEMYON
There are always open doors, Anna
Ivanovna.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 46.
46 CONTINUED: (2) 46
Anna glances at an alarm button.
ANNA
You're not allowed in here.
SEMYON
Please Anna, let me speak.
Semyon looks to be almost in tears. He speaks softly.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
I translated the diary...
A baby begins to cry and is comforted somewhere across the
ward.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
I was shocked to discover... that
my son Kirill is mentioned many
times.
Semyon appears to be fighting tears.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
I have known for some years that
he has strayed from the path I set
out for him. His mother died when
he was very young.
A pause. Anna almost begins to buy his sorrow...
ANNA
What does it say about him?
Semyon looks up, his eyes filled with tears.
SEMYON
Many bad things.
A pause.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
But Anna please. Let me deal with
him. If the diary should find its
way to the police...
Semyon wipes his eyes.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Some of the things my son did are
illegal. Anna, he is a good boy.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 47.
46 CONTINUED: (3) 46
A pause.
ANNA
I don't care about him. I care
about the baby.
SEMYON
Of course. Of course. And that is
the baby?
Semyon glances over Anna's shoulder into the corner where
Christine is sleeping. Anna freezes and doesn't reply.
Semyon takes her hand.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Anna, I have made some inquiries
and I have found out an address
for Tatiana's family in Russia.
That's where the baby belongs, no?
Anna reacts but Semyon's face suddenly hardens...
SEMYON (CONT'D)
So... perhaps we can do a deal.
He stares into her eyes.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Do you understand me, Anna?
At that moment a nurse walks by and hesitates when she
sees Semyon.
NURSE
Anna?
ANNA
It's OK. He's just leaving.
Semyon puts his hat onto his head.
SEMYON
You know where I am, Anna Ivanovna.
He turns.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
And I know where you are.
Semyon disappears into the shadows of the ward. As Anna
reacts we hear Tatiana in V.O.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 48.
46 CONTINUED: (4) 46
TATIANA (V.O.)
I was thrown down the stairs and
fell onto some sacks, like potato
sacks...
47 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 47
Stepan is sitting at the kitchen table, translating
Tatiana's diary aloud, as Helen transcribes it onto a note
pad. Stepan's translation breaks up with emotion but he
tries to remain detached. Helen also tries hard to
concentrate on her task but wipes away a tear as she writes.
Tatiana's V.O. slowly blends into Stepan's voice...
STEPAN
...like potato sacks. Kirill came
down after me and he hit me until
I was bleeding. Then he tried to
rape me but he couldn't do it...
He just got madder and madder and
kept hitting me. In the end his
father came down. It was the father
who raped me. He shouted at his
son...'if you don't break a horse,
it will never be tame, Kirill'.
They hear a key in the door and prepare for Anna's arrival.
When she enters she feels the tense silence. After a
moment, Helen tries to be bright...
HELEN
Hello dear. How was your night?
Anna sees the tears in both their eyes. She sees the diary
and the transcription and sits down.
HELEN (CONT'D)
Stepan's arthritis is playing up.
I'm taking dictation.
Helen gets to her feet.
HELEN (CONT'D)
Would you like some tea or
something?
ANNA
No.
Anna gently pushes Helen back into her seat.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 49.
47 CONTINUED: 47
HELEN
What's wrong?
ANNA
He came to see me.
Silence.
ANNA (CONT'D)
The man from the restaurant. He
came to the hospital.
Stepan leaps to his feet.
STEPAN
I told you this would happen! I
told you!
HELEN
Sit down Stepan.
STEPAN
The devil is loose now.
Everyone begins to talk at once...
ANNA
I know it's my fault...
HELEN
It's no one's fault...
STEPAN
They are in this room now. They
are cancer...
HELEN
We should just sit down calmly and
think...
STEPAN
I have a friend from Ukraine who
owns a gun....
HELEN
Stepan!!
STEPAN
...from the war in Afghanistan.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 50.
47 CONTINUED: (2) 47
HELEN
Don't talk about guns...
Anna suddenly stands up.
ANNA
Shut up both of you!!!
Silence. Everyone catches their breath.
ANNA (CONT'D)
OK... now... what would dad have
done?
A pause.
STEPAN
We all know what he would have
done.
Stepan heads for the kitchen cupboard and produces a bottle
of vodka. Rather than admonish him, Anna and Helen both
nod agreement. Stepan pours three large vodkas. Stepan
knocks his down. Anna and Helen take sips.
HELEN
And then he would have been
practical.
STEPAN
He would ask if there were bullets
for the gun.
HELEN
No! This isn't our world. We're
just... ordinary people.
STEPAN
I dealt with the vory v zakone
when I worked for the KGB.
ANNA
You never worked for the fucking
KGB!
HELEN
Anna!
STEPAN
(primly)
I was an auxiliary!
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 51.
47 CONTINUED: (3) 47
HELEN
Please!
A stand off. Finally...
HELEN (CONT'D)
What did this man want?
ANNA
The diary. In return he'll give
us an address for Tatiana's family.
For Christine's family.
A pause. They all look to each other.
HELEN
And that's all he wants?
Stepan is utterly astounded.
STEPAN
You cannot do deals with these
people!
HELEN
This isn't a deal. It's an exchange
of information.
STEPAN
Have you forgotten already what I
just read to you?
HELEN
We must be practical.
ANNA
Stepan, I think he was threatening
to harm Christine.
HELEN
Then it's settled.
STEPAN
No!! No!! No!!
HELEN
(repeating as a
mantra)
Stepan, this isn't our world. We
are ordinary people.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 52.
47 CONTINUED: (4) 47
Stepan stares at them both for a long time. Finally he
gets to his feet and points to the diary.
STEPAN
She was an ordinary person.
He leaves. Anna and Helen hold hands, genuinely close now
for the first time in a long time.
48 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NEXT DAY 48
Nikolai pulls up in his car. He checks his look in the
rear view mirror and puts on his sunglasses. As he gets
out of the car he notices that Anna's motorbike is still
there. He approaches it, strokes the bodywork. Suddenly,
someone grabs him from behind. It's Kirill.
KIRILL
Hey, come on, Nikolai, I've got a
Christmas present for you.
49 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. BACK DELIVERY AREA - DAY 49
A white van is parked with its rear doors open, ready for
unloading. Kirill shows Nikolai that the van is loaded
with unmarked white boxes.
KIRILL
Open one.
Nikolai opens one of the boxes and produces a bottle of
vintage champagne.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
From France. Old as fuck. Old is
good with wine. Sixty quid a bottle
anywhere. Except I got them for
ten quid a case.
NIKOLAI
From where?
KIRILL
`From where?' From where you don't
ask. Give it here...
Kirill snatches the bottle and begins to uncork it.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 53.
49 CONTINUED: 49
KIRILL (CONT'D)
If my dad says OK, I can start
telling you about the serious stuff.
Import, export. This booze is just
for gifts to Papa's friends. The
real import stuff is from Kabul,
you understand?
He pops the cork and swigs the frothing champagne.
NIKOLAI
Import-export sounds good.
Kirill laughs.
KIRILL
You bet it's fucking good...
Nikolai hands the bottle back. As he does, one of the van
doors is kicked closed revealing Semyon, suddenly upon
them.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Jesus Christ, Papa... You scared
me....
Semyon grabs the bottle of champagne and smashes it on the
floor. Kirill recoils in terror. Nikolai straightens,
faces up.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
What's wrong? We're just sampling
it!
Semyon is so furious he still can't speak. He grabs Kirill
and slams him against the wall. Finally he hisses in his
face.
SEMYON
Your friend Soyka is dead.
KIRILL
Yeah? So what? What's that got
to do with me?
SEMYON
Don't lie to me!!
Semyon slams Kirill against the wall once more.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 54.
49 CONTINUED: (2) 49
KIRILL
I swear I don't know nothing about
it...
SEMYON
I said, don't lie to me!
Semyon slams Kirill hard against the wall again. Suddenly
Nikolai steps forward.
NIKOLAI
Your dad is right, Kirill. There's
no point lying to him.
A pause. Semyon and Kirill are frozen for a moment.
Nikolai calmly lights a cigarette.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Ozim's nephew slit Soyka's throat.
Kirill paid him to do it.
There is stunned silence. Semyon loosens his grip on
Kirill.
KIRILL
(in Russian)
Shut your fucking mouth!
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
Your dad always knows the truth
anyway.
Nikolai and Semyon survey each other.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
But it's OK boss. You don't have
to worry...
SEMYON
(incredulous)
I don't have to worry?
NIKOLAI
I disposed of the body myself. The
police won't find a thing.
Semyon has now lost all interest in Kirill and is
concentrating on Nikolai. He laughs with incredulity.
SEMYON
My son commits a murder?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 55.
49 CONTINUED: (3) 49
SEMYON (CONT'D)
On my own doorstep? A fellow
soldier! And no one thought to
tell me about it?
NIKOLAI
The vory code says you don't talk
to anybody about your captain.
Kirill is my captain.
Semyon circles Nikolai.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
When I found out what had happened,
I did what I had to do to clean
the situation up.
Kirill is about to speak but before he can, Nikolai speaks
for him.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
It was a matter of honor. Soyka
was spreading lies about Kirill.
About your family.
(in Russian)
Kirill did the right thing.
Semyon hisses with fury and grabs Nikolai.
SEMYON
I decide what is right and what is
wrong. You do not kill a vor for
no reason.
Nikolai shrugs Semyon off, holding his ground.
NIKOLAI
You know as well as I do Soyka was
talking to the police.
A pause. Semyon is shocked at the depth of Nikolai's
knowledge. He peers at him.
SEMYON
For a driver, you are well informed.
NIKOLAI
I've got connections with the
Chechens who export cars. Soyka
was speaking to the Russian desk.
Scotland Yard.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 56.
49 CONTINUED: (4) 49
A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
Kirill did a good thing for all
our people. Our people will know
that.
In Semyon's silence Kirill finally gathers courage...
KIRILL
Papa, I swear to you, I was going
to...
SEMYON
Shut up!
Kirill is hurt that Semyon seems only to be interested in
Nikolai. After studying Nikolai for a while...
SEMYON (CONT'D)
If you are so well informed, you
will know Soyka has brothers.
NIKOLAI
(with a smile)
That's OK. Kirill has got me.
Semyon shows the first flicker of admiration. He then
looks at Kirill with utter contempt, making the comparison
with Nikolai obvious.
SEMYON
Get these boxes out of sight.
Semyon leaves them. Kirill is angry, straightening his
clothes. Finally he yells....
KIRILL
You heard him, patsan! Get these
boxes out of sight.
50 INT. BURGER RESTAURANT - DAY 50
It is Saturday morning and the place is full of families.
Christmas decorations are beginning to look ragged.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 57.
50 CONTINUED: 50
Anna and Helen are sitting at a table, terrified but trying
hard to stay calm. Stepan arrives with a tray of coffees
and a burger. He sits, and Anna and Helen glance uneasily
at each other. Stepan begins to eat noisily.
ANNA
How the hell can you eat?
STEPAN
I'm hungry.
There is a tension that builds until Nikolai's Mercedes
suddenly looms into view, filling the street window of the
burger bar. Nikolai gets out of his car, all shades and
sharp suit.
ANNA
That's their driver.
Stepan very deliberately slides his hand into his inside
pocket.
HELEN
(hissing)
Tell me you haven't done anything
ridiculous...
Stepan removes his hand, empty, his bravado crushed.
Nikolai enters the restaurant and spots Anna. He comes
and sits at the table beside Stepan, opposite Anna. It's
a tight squeeze. Anna and Helen are stiff with terror.
Nikolai smiles.
NIKOLAI
Meet in a public place with lots
of people around. Very wise.
He smiles at Helen.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
And I see you brought along a body
guard. Also very wise.
Stepan is shaking with emotion and hisses something in
Russian.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 58.
50 CONTINUED: (2) 50
STEPAN
(whispers, in Russian)
When I was in the KGB, we knew how
to deal with scum like you.
Nikolai smiles.
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
When you were in what?
HELEN
Shush, Stepan. Anna?
Nikolai is amused by the three of them. Anna produces
Tatiana's diary and hands it to Nikolai. Nikolai studies
it and nods. He gets to his feet...
ANNA
(shaking)
Now you give me the address.
NIKOLAI
What address?
ANNA
Tatiana's family.
NIKOLAI
I don't know what you're talking
about.
Nikolai calmly heads for the door. Stepan hisses.
STEPAN
I told you! I knew they would do
this....
Anna gets to her feet.
HELEN
Anna! No! Come back here!
Anna races out of the restaurant in pursuit of Nikolai.
51 EXT. BURGER RESTAURANT - DAY 51
Nikolai has emerged into the busy suburban street and is
about to get in to his car. Anna flies at him, yelling.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 59.
51 CONTINUED: 51
ANNA
She was fourteen! Read the diary!
She was fourteen when he raped
her!
Nikolai casually hits the key fob of his car.
ANNA (CONT'D)
You murdered her! You bastards
murdered her!
Passers-by stare at Anna. Helen and Stepan have come out
of the restaurant to restrain her. Nikolai stops and judges
the fury on Anna's face. He speaks calmly.
NIKOLAI
Anger is very dangerous. It makes
people do stupid things. Forget
any of this ever happened. You're
in the wrong place, Anna Ivanovna.
He gestures at the burger restaurant.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
You belong in there. With nice
people. Stay away from people
like me.
Anna and Nikolai are staring at each other, suddenly a
strange connection between them.
Then Stepan steps forward and spits in Nikolai's face,
delivering a Russian curse as he does so. Nikolai almost
reacts out of instinct but stops himself.
Nikolai wipes his face and peers into Anna's eyes. Finally
he gets into his car and drives away.
52 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 52
Nikolai is alone, sitting at a candlelit table, reading
Tatiana's diary. We hear Tatiana in voice-over...
TATIANA (V.O.)
I am not sure I can carry on another
day. The windows won't open so I
can't throw myself out. They inject
me every day with heroin.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 60.
52 CONTINUED: 52
TATIANA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Sometimes I think this is all a
hallucination...
He sees Semyon approaching from the kitchen and closes the
diary. Semyon grabs a bottle of vodka from the bar on his
way to sit opposite Nikolai. Nikolai pushes the diary
across the table. Semyon pours two drinks.
SEMYON
It is good to have someone who I
can trust to do simple tasks.
A pause as Semyon glances at a few pages of diary.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
In this business, sometimes the
biggest danger comes from the most
stupid things. You can't afford
to be careless in any area.
Nikolai senses a change of attitude towards him. As if
Semyon were beginning to accept him into the fold. Semyon
raises a toast.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Nasdrovia.
NIKOLAI
Nasdrovia.
After a moment.
SEMYON
So what was the lie that Soyka was
spreading about my son?
Nikolai looks anxious.
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
It was nothing important.
SEMYON
Kirill had him killed for nothing
important?
Semyon pours two more vodkas.
NIKOLAI
I don't want to repeat it.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 61.
52 CONTINUED: (2) 52
SEMYON
(smiling)
For me you will repeat it.
Nikolai doesn't respond. It is obvious that Semyon half
knows already. He shrugs...
SEMYON (CONT'D)
You play with the Prince to do
business with the King. But if
you want to do business with me
you must be open with me. Thieves-
in-law.
A pause. Semyon nurses his vodka.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
What was Soyka saying about the
Prince?
He stares into Nikolai's eyes. Finally, Nikolai stammers...
NIKOLAI
That he is a drunk. And that he
is also... a queer.
Semyon swigs his vodka and Nikolai swigs his. Semyon pours
two more. Semyon has to stare out of the window to hide
his emotion.
SEMYON
(softly, in Russian)
My only son.
They both knock their drinks back. Semyon looks suddenly
angry as he peers out of the window.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
You know it never snows in this
City. And it's never hot. London
is a city of whores and queers.
My son...
Semyon shrugs, fighting deeper emotion...
SEMYON (CONT'D)
...I think London is to blame for
what he is...
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 62.
52 CONTINUED: (3) 52
NIKOLAI
So why don't you go home?
Semyon smiles, as if seeing Moscow through the window.
SEMYON
The cold gets into my bones.
A pause.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
And also... the KGB would be waiting
for me.
Nikolai smiles ruefully and glances at Semyon.
NIKOLAI
FSB. They are called FSB now.
SEMYON
Whatever they call them they are
worse even than the KGB were. Maybe
the KGB and the vory v zakone were
partners in a marriage. We had
rules, they had rules.
He swigs some more vodka.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Now in Moscow, the thieves don't
wear tattoos and the police don't
wear uniforms. You never know who
they are...
Semyon seems to be taking the vodka less well than Nikolai.
He pours some more.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
You've heard about these new
policemen?
Nikolai doesn't blink.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
They get under you, over you, behind
you, inside you. They are the
ones you least expect.
Semyon peers at Nikolai and Nikolai doesn't respond.
Mention of the new breed of FSB agent causes an almost
imperceptible tension in Nikolai.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 63.
52 CONTINUED: (4) 52
Is Semyon too drunk to notice? There is a strange game
going on here. For now, nothing is revealed.
Semyon knocks back his vodka and Nikolai does the same.
Semyon picks up the diary and holds it into the flame of
the candle. It begins to burn and he drops it into the
ashtray. The flames flicker for a while.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
The midwife said she had an uncle.
A Russian.
NIKOLAI
I met him.
SEMYON
So you know what he looks like.
Semyon peers at Nikolai.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
She said he has read the diary.
A pause.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
We can't trust a Russian with that
kind of information.
A pause.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
Do you understand me?
Semyon gets to his feet and smiles.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Perhaps you can deal with him.
Semyon leaves Nikolai to stare into the flames of the
burning diary.
53 EXT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. MATERNITY UNIT - DAY 53
Anna exits, pulling on her coat against the cold. She
stops in her tracks when she sees her unchained motorbike
parked in the parking bay. She hears Nikolai's voice over
her shoulder.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 64.
53 CONTINUED: 53
NIKOLAI
I thought I'd bring it back before
it got stolen. Lot of villains
around. Sorry about the chain.
Anna is about to walk quickly away...
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
I got that address you wanted.
Anna turns and sees Nikolai is offering a scrap of paper.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
A little village outside St.
Petersburg. I know it. Not much
of a place for a kid to grow up
in. Especially not a girl.
She hesitates. Nikolai approaches and gives her the
address.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
If you want my opinion, the kid
would be better off in London.
Maybe with you. Why not? Tatiana's
family don't sound like the kind
of people who'd want another mouth
to feed.
A pause.
ANNA
You read the diary?
Nikolai looks all around. Anna studies him, unsure.
ANNA (CONT'D)
So how can you keep doing what
you're doing?
NIKOLAI
I told you. I'm just a driver.
Anna sees some softness in his expression. Their eyes
lock.
ANNA
You look the other way.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 65.
53 CONTINUED: (2) 53
NIKOLAI
I'm a camera. The pictures stay
in my head.
Anna sees pain in his eyes. She peers at the address.
ANNA
Why did you bring me this?
NIKOLAI
I don't know. I was passing.
After a long moment Anna turns away.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Oh, and... your uncle.
Nikolai smiles.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Is it true he was in the KGB?
ANNA
I don't know.
NIKOLAI
Well, he's a brave old man. That's
for sure.
A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Does he live with you?
Anna is about to answer but stops herself. Nikolai peers
at her and finally shrugs then turns to walk away. He
gestures at the bike.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
I fixed it. It should be OK now.
Anna watches him walk away into the street.
54 EXT. CHELSEA FOOTBALL GROUND. SIDE STREETS - NIGHT. 54
Crowds of football supporters are streaming away from the
football stadium, where the floodlights are still casting
their glow. There are Arsenal and Chelsea supporters on
opposite sides of the street and there is some mildly
vicious yelling between the two groups. Police are visibly
keeping order.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 66.
54 CONTINUED: 54
Among the crowd we see Ekrem. He seems slightly drunk on
top of his normal craziness. He has an Arsenal scarf around
his neck and is looking for trouble, jeering at the Chelsea
supporters across the street.
EKREM
Hey! Hey Kabuka Chelsea! Fuck
you!! Yeah you! Aliverisme!!
Fucker!
A policeman steps up to Ekrem and gives him a shove and he
stumbles a little. As he gets to his feet we notice TWO
CHECHEN MEN who are trailing Ekrem, ducking their heads
away from the line of policemen.
55 EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT 55
Ekrem is now isolated from the crowds, swigging from a can
of lager. He is chanting `Arsenal, Arsenal' to himself as
he walks. He stops to take a piss on someone's grave.
In the background the two Chechens are coming closer. As
Ekrem zips his flies, the Chechens are upon him. One of
them grabs his Arsenal scarf and begins to strangle him.
Ekrem chokes for a while and the Chechen loosens the knot.
The second Chechen pulls out an open razor. Ekrem struggles
to escape...
CHECHEN
For my brother...
The Chechen cuts Ekrem's throat then drops him onto the
grave stone.
56 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 56
The place has two dozen customers and there is a Russian
band playing `Dark Eyes'. At a particular table an old
Russian lady is having her birthday celebrated by an adoring
family and lots of very ancient friends.
There is a huge round of applause as Semyon emerges from
the kitchen with a cake decorated with sparklers.
57 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 57
Semyon returns to smoke and steam and yelling. As he
prepares to take a drink one of the young dishwashers
approaches.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 67.
57 CONTINUED: 57
DISHWASHER
(in Russian)
Guy out the back.
Semyon grabs a bottle of vodka.
58 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. KITCHEN REAR - NIGHT 58
Semyon emerges into the wine crates and beer bottles in
the yard at the back of the restaurant where the Doberman
is straining at the leash, snarling and barking. An already
anxious Ozim is cowering in the shadows, held at bay by
the dog.
The moment Semyon steps out the dog stops barking. Ozim
relaxes a little and steps forward. Semyon pets the dog.
SEMYON
So what did they say?
Semyon takes a swig of vodka. Ozim looks severely nervous.
OZIM
They were going to kill me. Those
Chechens are savages.
Ozim is reliving the ordeal.
OZIM (CONT'D)
I pointed out that I am a Muslim
too and it is a sin for a Muslim
to kill a Muslim.
SEMYON
(irritated)
What did they say about my son?
OZIM
They said they would spare me only
if I delivered Kirill to them.
SEMYON
You are being very honest.
OZIM
I fear you more than I fear them.
Semyon suddenly breaks the neck of the bottle and holds
the jagged edge to Ozim's throat. The dog snarls at
Semyon's feet.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 68.
58 CONTINUED: 58
SEMYON
Never again do business with any
member of my family behind my back.
OZIM
Never. I will never listen to
Kirill again. I swear...
Semyon tosses the bottle away. After a moment...
SEMYON
Do they know where to find Kirill?
OZIM
They are like wolves.
SEMYON
Do they know what he looks like?
Ozim shakes his head.
OZIM
No. They have just arrived from
the mountains.
SEMYON
Then tell them you will deliver
Kirill to them.
Ozim is stunned. He stares at Semyon as if he were insane.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Tell them to give you two days.
59 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. ANNA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 59
Anna is reading the translation of the diary by lamplight.
Tatiana's voice over continues.
TATIANA (V.O.)
I know now for sure that I am
pregnant. It hasn't begun to show
yet. After I was raped they made
me take pills but I guess it was
too late. I am condemned to give
birth to a new life. But first I
will try to find a way to end my
own life and spare this child the
pain.
Anna looks up from the pages and thinks.
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 69.
60 EXT. HOUSING ESTATE - NIGHT 60
A large public housing estate is being swept by rain.
Christmas lights glow in the windows of the dilapidated
tower blocks. Stepan is walking against the wind, carrying
a bag of shopping. He holds onto his Russian hat to stop
it blowing away. Kids splash in the puddles.
Stepan arrives at the front garden of his small, ground-
floor council flat. As he fumbles for his keys in the cold
we see that Nikolai is watching him from the driver's seat
of his Mercedes. Once Stepan has disappeared into his
flat, Nikolai gets out of the car and approaches Stepan's
flat.
61 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. KITCHEN - NIGHT 61
Helen is preparing food for a small family dinner. Anna
enters with her cellphone in her hand. She mooches for
food to hide her agenda. Finally...
ANNA
Mum... I can't get hold of Stepan.
HELEN
Why do you want to?
ANNA
I need to check something with
him.
HELEN
Anna...
ANNA
(matter of fact)
He's not at home, do you know where
else he might be?
Helen simply stares at her.
HELEN
Anna. Haven't you had enough
excitement?
ANNA
(deadpan)
I think I've worked out who
Christine's father is.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 70.
61 CONTINUED: 61
Helen slams her knife down.
HELEN
(yelling)
Why does it matter?!!
ANNA
(firmly)
It matters... to me!!
A pause. After a moment Helen goes to her, holds her hands
and peers into her eyes. We expect comforting words, but
instead...
HELEN
You enjoy this.
A pause.
HELEN (CONT'D)
You're like your father. Ordinary
life isn't enough.
Anna turns and walks out of the house.
62 EXT. LONDON STREETS - NIGHT 62
Anna drives her motorbike through North London streets.
Rain is falling.
63 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 63
Anna is standing in the falling rain, staring over at the
trans-Siberian restaurant. The restaurant is busy, with
the noise of revelers swelling every time the door is
opened.
Anna seems to be exiled from where she should really be -
Inside a restaurant like this, with its danger and vibrancy.
Suddenly she is illuminated by headlights. She turns and
sees that Nikolai is pulling up in his Mercedes. Kirill is
in the passenger seat. Nikolai gets out of the car and
stops when he sees Anna. Anna is like a fox caught in
headlights.
NIKOLAI
What are you doing here?
A pause.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 71.
63 CONTINUED: 63
ANNA
(echoing Nikolai's
words)
I don't know. I was passing.
Kirill studies the gaze between Nikolai and Anna and senses
the connection.
KIRILL
If you're passing, you pass. You
keep going, bitch. Nikolai, come
on...
Kirill grabs Nikolai's arm, and after peering at Anna for
a moment, he turns to go with Kirill. Anna gathers her
courage.
ANNA
Family is important to you people
isn't it?
KIRILL
(laughing)
'You people'?
(in Russian)
What the hell is she talking about?
Music swells from the restaurant.
ANNA
Tell Semyon the baby I delivered
on Christmas Eve is his daughter.
Kirill and Nikolai stop. A swell of laughter from the
restaurant. Anna is about to continue but Nikolai steps
forward and places two fingers on Anna's lips to stop her
from saying anymore. Anna tears his hands from her mouth.
At the same time Kirill yells in Russian.
KIRILL
(in Russian)
What did she say?!
Anna is terrified but angry too. She yells.
ANNA
When he raped her she was a virgin.
Then they gave her pills. Semyon
has to be the father!
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 72.
63 CONTINUED: (2) 63
Kirill suddenly goes for her over the bonnet of the car....
NIKOLAI
(in Russian))
She's a civilian!
Kirill pushes Anna up against the car, but she fights him.
ANNA
She was fourteen! She was a child!
Kirill slaps Anna hard. Nikolai grabs Kirill and pulls
him away.
KIRILL
You don't use my father's name!
You don't say that filth about
him...
He goes for Anna again, and this time Nikolai shoves Kirill
to the wet ground. He looks up at Nikolai and slowly gets
to his feet. He wipes his hands then stares into Nikolai's
eyes.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Don't even look at her any more.
Headlights from a passing car sweep the scene....
KIRILL (CONT'D)
That's an order.
Nikolai peers at Anna for a moment. Anna's voice is defiant
but cracking with fear.
ANNA
Tell him what I said.
Nikolai has taken what Anna said on board. He speaks
softly...
NIKOLAI
There is nothing to tell. Slaves
give birth to slaves...
Kirill yells....
KIRILL
Come on Nikolai!!
He turns to Anna...
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 73.
63 CONTINUED: (3) 63
KIRILL (CONT'D)
And if you open your mouth again,
I'll tell my driver to stick his
cock inside it! Understand? Maybe
that's what you want!
He offers the lights of the restaurant to her as a vicious
invitation.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
You want to come in?! Maybe we
all get to fuck you....
Anna stares back. Nikolai peers at her for a moment before
grabbing Kirill and pulling him away towards the restaurant.
64 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 64
The place is winding up. Chefs and waiters are cleaning
surfaces and dishes. The only still point is Semyon, who
is cutting and wrapping the birthday cake in small parcels
of golden paper. He works intensely and delicately at the
back of the kitchen. Nikolai and Kirill enter. Kirill
swigs a half-drunk glass of wine.
KIRILL
That girl you fucked in front of
me... you remember her? The
Ukrainian bitch?
NIKOLAI
No.
KIRILL
So they kick down the door. These
are ordinary fucking police. They
ask for her by name and they take
her away. Some fucking punter must
have given them her name. What
gives the police the right to take
our women, huh?
Semyon shoots Kirill a hard look: he's talking too much
and too loudly. Kirill ignores the look.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Hey Papa, I never seen so many old
people in one place. Whose party
is it out there? The angel of
death?
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 74.
64 CONTINUED: 64
SEMYON
(in Russian)
She is one hundred years old.
Semyon works on for a moment then glances at Kirill.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Kirill, go down into the cellar
and bring up some brandy. Twelve
bottles.
Kirill turns to leave.
KIRILL
Come on, Nikolai, help me.
SEMYON
No. He stays here. I want to
talk business.
A confused pause. Kirill looks from Nikolai to his father.
KIRILL
What business?
A pause as Kirill suddenly senses his exclusion.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Papa, what business? His business
is my business.
Semyon stares at Kirill and Kirill knows the look.
SEMYON
Go to the cellar Kirill. And take
your time.
Kirill hesitates. He is angry as hell but too scared of
his father's gaze to say anything. Finally he turns fast
and departs, slamming his open hand against the door as he
goes.
Semyon waits a moment before returning to the business of
cutting the cake. Finally...
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Did you deal with the old man?
Nikolai nods.
A pause. Semyon looks up and fixes Nikolai with a stare.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 75.
64 CONTINUED: (2) 64
SEMYON (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
It's time you joined us.
A long moment. The thing Nikolai has been working for has
finally happened. There seems to be little joy.
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
Thank you. Papa.
Semyon returns to his work. Nikolai hesitates.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
What shall I tell Kirill?
Semyon continues with the cake, unconcerned.
SEMYON
Tell him I changed my mind about
the brandy.
65 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. CELLAR - NIGHT 65
The cellar is half lit, the arched walls lined with crates
of wine. Flour, grease and potatoes are stored here. As
Nikolai walks down the steps into the gloom, he hears Kirill
singing a Russian folk song to himself as he drags a case
of brandy across the cellar floor.
Kirill has already opened a bottle of brandy and takes a
long swig as Nikolai joins him. He grins as he gestures
at the brandy...
KIRILL
My dad swapped a little Georgian
girl for this stuff.
Nikolai sits down on a crate, rests his head against the
wall. Kirill joins him and swigs some more.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Hey, don't feel bad. What happened
up there is just how he is. He
plays people against each other.
That's all. I realize more and
more what he's like. Here, drink
to the Georgian girl...
Kirill offers the bottle to Nikolai but he refuses.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 76.
65 CONTINUED: 65
KIRILL (CONT'D)
What? I drink alone now.
Nikolai decides to bite the bullet, get this news over
with.
NIKOLAI
He offered me stars. I accepted
them.
A long pause. This is what Kirill wanted, but now it feels
like a stab in the back. Finally Kirill swallows a huge
swig of brandy then turns awkwardly to hug Nikolai. He
squeezes him hard for a long time then shoves him away.
KIRILL
(lying))
You think I didn't know already?
He told me before. It was my fucking
idea. He said there are a lot of
things I have to teach you.
Nikolai nods. Kirill gets to his feet....
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Some stuff will take a long time.
I've been protecting you until
now.
NIKOLAI
Yeah.
KIRILL
What?
A pause.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
You think I don't know stuff you
don't know? I am vor by birth.
The stars are a birthmark for me...
NIKOLAI
I know, Kirill.
Kirill is about to fly into a rage but Nikolai gets to his
feet.
KIRILL
Where the fuck are you going?
We've got to celebrate. Help me
with these bottles.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 77.
65 CONTINUED: (2) 65
Nikolai heads for the steps.
NIKOLAI
Your dad don't need the bottles
any more.
As Nikolai departs Kirill calls after him.
KIRILL
Hey! We're still partners, right?
Thunder and lightning!
Nikolai climbs the steps. Kirill is left to swig his brandy
and stare into the darkness. He wipes his eyes angrily
with his sleeve.
66 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. TWO DAYS LATER - NIGHT 66
Sweet Russian choral music covers the next four scenes.
The street outside the restaurant is now flooding with
rain. A Daimler and a Bentley are already parked. A large
SUV pulls up and a hard-looking Russian man in his sixties
(VALERY) is ushered from the car by bodyguards in suits
and shades.
He is greeted by a darker-looking man in his fifties (THE
GYPSY) who has a fur coat around his shoulders. Semyon is
waiting on the doorstep, dressed in a fine dark suit.
67 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 67
The curtains are drawn against the rainy light. The Gypsy,
Valery, Semyon and TWO OTHER RUSSIAN MEN are sitting in a
line behind a restaurant table, like a judging panel.
After a moment Nikolai enters, dressed in suit and tie for
the biggest interview of his life.
The vory behind the table greet him.
Then Nikolai takes off his jacket and removes his tie. He
then takes off his shirt, to reveal that his upper body is
decorated with elaborate tattoos (details to follow).
He carefully places his shirt over the chair then sits
down. The panel of the vory study his body, the Gypsy
pushing a candle across the table to better illuminate the
detail of the tattoos. Only after the men have studied
the tattoos does the interview begin.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 78.
67 CONTINUED: 67
The following dialogue should not be translated, and can
be cut around to suggest a long and grueling interview.
VALERY
We can see that you were in prison
in Siberia. And that you were a
thief.
NIKOLAI
My father was a government worker.
He fixed the cars of officials. I
began by selling the spare parts
when I was fifteen.
VALERY
You have no forced tattoos?
NIKOLAI
None.
GYPSY
You were not co-operative?
NIKOLAI
I spent two years in the punishment
block.
VALERY
You went through the Crosses in
St. Petersburg?
NIKOLAI
I was in solitary confinement
fifteen times. I was called 'The
Stump' because they couldn't shift
me.
VALERY
Your father was a bitch and a weak
fucker for working with the
Government, that's right isn't it?
Nikolai flickers a little.
NIKOLAI
That's right. My father means
nothing to me. My Mother....
GYPSY
You have no mother. She was a
whore anyway.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 79.
67 CONTINUED: (2) 67
NIKOLAI
Yes. I have no mother and no
father. There is only the code,
the vory v zakone code which I
have always followed.
VALERY
That is why there is an empty place
above your heart. Where the stars
will go. And why there is an empty
place on your knees.
NIKOLAI
I am dead already. I died when I
was fifteen. Now I live in the
zone all the time.
GYPSY
You have never worked for the
government? Any government?
NIKOLAI
I have lived off Albanians and
Georgians. I steal from them within
the law.
The questions and answers are delivered with great
solemnity, making the ceremony feel almost religious.
Candles burn, the men all sip water.
Semyon is silent throughout but listens attentively.
Towards the end of the interview there is the ghost of a
smile on the Gypsy's face and this pleases Semyon.
68 EXT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. REAR ENTRANCE - NIGHT 68
A wizened old Russian man (THE TATTOOIST) arrives at the
kitchen door, carrying a battered leather case. The kitchen
door is opened as he arrives and Semyon greets him.
69 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT 69
The choral music continues as we see the old man opening
his case and pulling out tattooing equipment.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 80.
69 CONTINUED: 69
Nikolai is sitting in a banquette at the back, wearing
only his underpants. We circle Nikolai as the tattooist
begins to work on his knees, preparing Nikolai's knee caps
for the tattoos.
The needle bites at Nikolai's skin as the old tattooist
wipes away the blood.
Then we see the needle working on the empty spaces above
Nikolai's heart, tattooing the star symbol.
Nikolai now has a star tattoo on each knee and two eight-
pointed stars on his chest. He is now a member of the vory
v zakone.
70 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. ANNA'S BEDROOM - MORNING 70
Anna is lying awake, her curtains drawn against the
daylight. Helen knocks and enters with a cup of tea, just
as in the opening scenes. Anna sits up.
HELEN
(almost accusing)
Have you slept at all?
Anna doesn't answer. Helen looks anxious as she peeks out
of the curtains.
HELEN (CONT'D)
I tried to get hold of Stepan for
you.
A pause.
HELEN (CONT'D)
He's usually either at home or at
his sisters. But she hasn't heard
from him at all.
Helen is trying to hide her anxiety but Anna sees it.
HELEN (CONT'D)
He did spit in that horrible man's
face.
ANNA
I don't think the driver would do
anything to Stepan.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 81.
70 CONTINUED: 70
Helen knows Anna well, senses some flicker of attraction.
HELEN
How do you know what he would do?
A pause.
HELEN (CONT'D)
You haven't spoken to him since,
have you?
Anna doesn't answer and Helen's anger sparks... She leaves
and slams the door.
71 EXT. TURKISH BATHS - DAY 71
We are in St. Pancras, North London.
More rain. Ozim is waiting nervously, blowing into his
hands against the cold. The Turkish bath building is a
Victorian red-brick edifice.
Nikolai pulls up in his Mercedes.
72 INT. TURKISH BATHS. CHANGING ROOM - DAY 72
Ozim and Nikolai are undressing. The place is deserted
apart from an OLD TURKISH BATH-HOUSE ATTENDANT who is
distributing towels. Ozim is unbuttoning his shirt.
OZIM
Semyon recommends these places for
business meetings because you can
see what tattoos a man has.
Nikolai is pulling off his shirt and Ozim reacts to the
sight of the fresh eight-pointed star tattoos. Ozim
chuckles.
OZIM (CONT'D)
Come on. We have a lot to get
through. Let's cook.
Ozim disappears into a steam room, naked. Nikolai watches
him go, a private agenda bubbling beneath the surface.
73 OMITTED 73
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 82.
74 INT. TURKISH BATHS. STEAM ROOM - DAY 74
Ozim and Nikolai sit side by side, sweating. There is no
one else in the steam room.
OZIM
Our lines to Kabul get broken every
two or three weeks.
NIKOLAI
How come?
OZIM
The Americans. Fucking NATO.
(pause)
Valery Nabokov imports flowers and
television sets into this country.
The television sets are one in
ten. That means one in ten have
cargo inside them.
NIKOLAI
Where do they dock?
Ozim grins.
OZIM
I will tell you when I return from
the bathroom.
Ozim chuckles as he leaves in a swirl of steam. Nikolai
leans back against the cold wall, his tattoo almost the
only visible thing through the steam.
75 INT. TURKISH BATHS. CHANGING ROOM - DAY 75
Ozim is dressing frantically, his face suddenly betraying
his real anxiety. He checks his watch as he puts it back
on his wrist.
After a moment the two Chechen brothers who killed Ekrem
enter the changing room. They swagger up to Ozim.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 83-83A.
75 CONTINUED: 75
He gulps down his fear.
OZIM
Kirill is in there.
Ozim slaps his chest to denote the place where they will
see the vor tattoo. They head towards the steam room as
Ozim grabs his shoes and hurries towards the exit.
76 INT. TURKISH BATHS. STEAM ROOM - DAY 76
Nikolai is sweating hard, staring at the ceiling. The
steam room door opens but the steam is now so thick he
can't see who has entered.
NIKOLAI
Ozim?
He sees a shape... a clothed body. He realizes immediately.
Suddenly one of the brothers is upon him and has him in a
head lock. He strokes the tattoo on Nikolai's chest as if
this were confirmation of who this is. He grunts an
instruction and his brother emerges through the steam with
an open razor.
Nikolai is naked, alone.
Suddenly he kicks the razor guy in the balls and uses a
martial arts chop to free himself from the other brother.
In the steam there are boots and bare feet and knees and
fingers flying. Nikolai manages to gouge the eye of one
brother and throw another against the wall. He obviously
has serious combat training but the brothers are strong
and angry.
Suddenly Nikolai is slashed across the arm by the razor
and blood oozes into the steam and hot water. All the men
are slipping and falling on the blood and hot water.
Another slash of the razor cuts his thigh open. All the
men are now covered in blood and Nikolai, with a final
surge of strength, manages to cripple one brother with a
blow to the throat, and the other with an elbow to the
temple.
As the Chechens slump to the floor, Nikolai fumbles in the
bloody water for the razor, finds it, kneels, and slashes
their throats. He lurches to his feet, drops the razor,
and staggers out of the steam room.
77 OMITTED 77
GOLDENROD Revision - 11/27/06 84.
78 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. A AND E DEPARTMENT. CANTEEN - DAY 78
Aziz and a group of a dozen doctors and nurses are eating
lunch, some in party hats, some drinking red wine out of
paper cups. Aziz seems anxious, distracted. Anna enters in
a hurry, locates Aziz and joins him.
ANNA
I'm so late. Sorry.
She looks around the 'party' with horror...
ANNA (CONT'D)
Oh God...
AZIZ
It's fine, although I think I've
had enough.
He smiles and downs his glass of wine in one go.
ANNA
Paul, on my way here I made a
decision.
AZIZ
(mock horror)
You can't possibly dump me. We're
not even going out.
ANNA
Take my hand.
Aziz, confused, takes her hand.
ANNA (CONT'D)
Feel my pulse.
Aziz feels Anna's pulse. Anna takes a deep breath.
ANNA (CONT'D)
I'm going to apply to adopt
Christine.
A pause.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 85.
78 CONTINUED: 78
ANNA (CONT'D)
Can you feel that?
Aziz smiles.
AZIZ
Yes, I can.
79 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. A AND E DEPARTMENT - DAY 79
Nikolai is being hurried down the corridor, his face covered
with an oxygen mask. He is covered with a surgical gown
which is covered in blood. His arm flops out from under
the covers as the paramedics rush him into the hospital.
Anna is walking in the opposite direction. Then, as
Nikolai's trolley passes, Anna sees Nikolai's arm, flopping
from under the covers. She sees the eagle tattoo on the
back of his hand. Anna freezes.
80 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. WARD. NIKOLAI'S ROOM - DAY 80
Nikolai is conscious in bed, attached to a single drip.
His wounds have been stitched up.
A doctor and two nurses are settling Nikolai's vital signs,
moving around him, checking his temperature. Finally they
clear the bed and through the glass of the room we see
Anna, standing outside, staring in at Nikolai.
81 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. WARD. NIKOLAI'S ROOM - NIGHT 81
Nikolai is peering through half-opened eyes. The last
nurse is checking his vital signs. Then Anna enters. The
nurse stops work...
NURSE
Anna?
ANNA
Is it OK to talk to him for a
minute?
The nurse hesitates...
NURSE
He's still in trauma. Do you know
him?
Anna glances at Nikolai who is rousing himself.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 86.
81 CONTINUED: 81
ANNA
Yes.
The nurse is reluctant but sees Anna's fierce stare and
finally leaves. After she has gone Nikolai stirs, focuses
on her face.
NIKOLAI
I thought you did birth.
Nikolai smiles, but Anna is trying hard to even out her
fear and anger.
ANNA
My uncle....
Nikolai tries to sit up and registers pain.
ANNA (CONT'D)
...the one who spat in your face...
He's disappeared.
A pause. Nikolai gasps in pain as he raises himself up.
Anna sees the wounds on his arms and glimpses the tattoos
on his chest, scaring her even more.
ANNA (CONT'D)
If we don't hear from him soon
we're going to the police...
Nikolai reaches for a bottle of water and manages to take
a swig. Anna is impatient for a reaction.
ANNA (CONT'D)
Do you know where he is?
A pause. Nikolai finishes the bottle of water in one
thirsty swig. Finally...
NIKOLAI
Yes.
A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
He's in Scotland. In Edinburgh.
In a five-star hotel.
Anna is locating the door in case she has to flee as Nikolai
swings his legs out of the bed to stretch his painful limbs.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 87.
81 CONTINUED: (2) 81
ANNA
Edinburgh?
NIKOLAI
I'm going to need some clothes. I
arrived here without any. Can you
get me some?
Anna doesn't budge.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
I can't walk out of here naked.
ANNA
You can't walk out of here because
you're attached to a drip. Explain
Edinburgh.
Nikolai sighs, sits back down on the bed. He finally speaks
softly.
NIKOLAI
Your uncle knew too much.
Nikolai shrugs.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
I was told to get rid of him. I
was meant to send him to heaven
with a bullet in his head. Instead
I sent him to Edinburgh. With a
first-class ticket.
A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
He is of the old school. He
understood the situation. Exile
or death. Edinburgh was his idea.
He said they throw a great party
at New Year. And he said it was a
good excuse to get away from his
family.
Nikolai smiles at Anna.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
So... just a pair of jeans and a T-
shirt. A jacket. And some shoes.
Anna still looks disbelieving. Nikolai sighs.
(CONTINUED)
GOLDENROD Revision - 11/27/06 88.
81 CONTINUED: (3) 81
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
The hotel is called the Caledonian.
Without a pause Anna leaves.
82 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. S.C.B.U. CHRISTINE'S PRIVATE ROOM -82
NIGHT
Anna is sitting on the bed beside Christine's crib.
Christine is asleep. Anna is speaking into her cell phone,
trying to keep her voice down.
ANNA
(into phone)
...no, I couldn't get much sense
out of him, he was drunk.
A pause. Anna looks exasperated.
ANNA (CONT'D)
(into phone)
Mum, I don't want to tell you how
I found him because I don't want
another argument. I just wanted
you to know he's definitely safe...
Anna listens with weariness.
ANNA (CONT'D)
(into phone)
No, we can't tonight. I'm working.
I need the money.
(a pause)
For a place of my own, for Christ's
sake!
She listens with growing anger until she finally cuts the
call without a word. Christine stirs but doesn't wake.
She leans back against the wall, already regretful.
83 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. WARD OUTSIDE NIKOLAI'S ROOM - 83
NEXT MORNING.
The ward is busy as Yuri, the police specialist from the
Russian desk, enters wearing a heavy overcoat. He looks
all around and approaches a nurse.
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 89.
84 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. WARD. NIKOLAI'S ROOM - MORNING 84
Nikolai's drip is being removed by A NURSE. Nikolai is
examining his healing wounds. Then through the glass of
the door he notices Yuri, speaking to a nurse, and obviously
recognizes him.
The nurse points Yuri in Nikolai's direction.
85 EXT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. A FIRE ESCAPE LANDING - MORNING 85
It's cold and the wind is blowing. We see rooftops behind
them. Yuri is lighting Nikolai's cigarette. Nikolai is
wearing Yuri's overcoat loosely over his hospital gown.
Yuri lights his own cigarette and they smoke in silence
for a moment.
NIKOLAI
You got my message?
Yuri chuckles.
YURI
Using a dead body to file a progress
report must be against FSB
regulations.
NIKOLAI
It's called improvisation.
YURI
You've been improvising quite a
lot lately. And taking risks.
He glances at the cuts on Nikolai's hands...
YURI (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
Maybe too many.
Nikolai suddenly glares at Yuri.
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
You didn't come here to give me
flowers...
Yuri shakes his head and prepares to deliver bad news.
Nikolai turns as if to go back inside. Yuri grabs Nikolai's
arm and speaks formally....
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 90.
85 CONTINUED: 85
YURI
In light of what has happened to
you...
Nikolai shakes his head wearily....
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
Ah, Christ...
YURI
...and in light of other violent
incidents associated with you, the
Russian desk at Scotland Yard have
made an official request to the
Russian embassy that your undercover
operation in London be terminated.
Nikolai doesn't react for a moment.
YURI (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
You have gone beyond what was
agreed.
With his cigarette dangling from his mouth Nikolai begins
to unbutton his overcoat..
YURI (CONT'D)
In my opinion you should see this
as good news. You've been in the
zone far too long...
Nikolai turns and slowly pulls open the overcoat and the
thin hospital gown beneath it.
He reveals the eight-pointed star tattoos on his chest and
Yuri reacts with absolute astonishment.
YURI (CONT'D)
My God...
NIKOLAI
If they terminate the operation
now, they will be wasting this...
A pause. Yuri looks shocked and slightly horrified.
Nikolai too suddenly seems almost ashamed that he has got
this far. After a long silence Nikolai mumbles.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 91.
85 CONTINUED: (2) 85
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
You tell the Russian desk you saw
stars over my heart. OK? Tell
them I'm through the door.
A pause. Yuri is still overwhelmed.
YURI
They are bound to ask... who did
you kill?
A pause.
NIKOLAI
(in Russian)
Tell them I only killed myself.
A pause. Yuri is humbled. They share a moment of
understanding as they smoke. Finally...
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
And you can tell them I'm going to
replace Semyon at the head of the
London organization.
Yuri laughs.
YURI
What drugs are they giving you?
Maybe it's the anesthetic speaking.
NIKOLAI
I need you to take Semyon out of
the picture. I want you to arrest
him.
Nikolai lights another cigarette from the stub of the one
he is smoking. Yuri is incredulous.
YURI
Arrest him for what?
NIKOLAI
Rape.
Yuri begins to chuckle.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
The girl was fourteen.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 92.
85 CONTINUED: (3) 85
YURI
(incredulous)
And of course, she will testify...
NIKOLAI
She doesn't have to. She's dead.
A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
But she had Semyon's baby. If you
prove the baby is his and prove
the girl was under age when the
baby was conceived, that's statutory
rape.
A pause. Yuri begins it think it through.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
All you need is the baby and some
of Semyon's DNA. For poetic reasons
I suggest you take his blood.
Yuri peers at Nikolai with awe. A long pause. Finally
Yuri smiles.
YURI
You intrigue me.
A pause.
YURI (CONT'D)
If we had never had this
conversation they would have sent
you home. You could have spent
the Spring in the mountains. Riding
your bicycle to your office every
morning through fields of flowers.
A pause.
YURI (CONT'D)
Why stay?
Nikolai reacts but doesn't answer. A pause.
YURI (CONT'D)
You keep in touch.
Yuri studies Nikolai.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 93.
85 CONTINUED: (4) 85
YURI (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
And take care, Mikhail.
Yuri tenderly takes his overcoat from Nikolai's shoulders
and goes back through the fire-escape door. Nikolai is
left cold and exposed in his thin gown.
86 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. WARD. NIKOLAI'S ROOM - DAY 86
Nikolai is playing chess against himself, sitting on the
bed, trying hard to concentrate. There is a knock and
Anna enters, carrying an old shopping bag. She takes out
a worn pair of jeans and a T-shirt, a denim jacket and a
battered pair of shoes. Nikolai smiles...
NIKOLAI
How is Uncle Stepan?
Instead of answering, Anna lays the clothes on the bed.
ANNA
(deadpan)
They're from the morgue. They
belonged to someone who died
yesterday.
Nikolai picks up the jeans and examines them. They're way
too big.
ANNA (CONT'D)
I can't believe I'm doing a favor
for someone just because he had
the decency not to murder a member
of my family.
Nikolai smiles but Anna turns to leave...
NIKOLAI
Hey... wait a minute...
Nikolai steps behind the bed screen to pull on the jeans.
He speaks from behind the screen.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Is your bike still working OK?
A pause. Anna considers leaving but hesitates.
ANNA
Yeah. It's OK.
(CONTINUED)
94
86 CONTINUED: 86
Nikolai steps out from behind the screen, the baggy jeans
tightly belted, his chest bare. For the first time Anna
sees the extent of Nikolai's body tattoos and reacts....
Nikolai sees her reaction to the tattoos and doesn't care
for it. He grabs the T-shirt and pulls it on.
NIKOLAI
Did you get in touch with Tatiana's
family in Russia?
ANNA
No.
NIKOLAI
Good.
Nikolai is now dressed, his cut and tattooed arms still
showing.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
So the baby's still in England.
A pause. Anna nods.
ANNA
She's staying here for good.
They peer at each other.
ANNA (CONT'D)
Why do you care?
Nikolai shrugs and grabs the shoes.
ANNA (CONT'D)
Stepan said you were kind to him.
He said you were risking your own
life to keep him alive.
Nikolai laughs.
NIKOLAI
Yeah, and all the thanks I get is
a pair of dead man's shoes.
(pause) *
I listen to you. *
ANNA *
(sarcastic) *
Do you really? *
NIKOLAI *
Yes. About Semyon and the baby. *
Thank you. *
(CONTINUED)
94A
86 CONTINUED: (2) 86
ANNA *
(still wary) *
You thank me for that? *
Their eyes lock across a huge divide. He rubs the tattoos
on his arm.
(CONTINUED)
95
86 CONTINUED: (3) 86
NIKOLAI
(indicating tattoos) *
These things are just marks on the
skin, you know?
Anna nods. An awkward pause, then Anna turns and leaves
quickly.
87 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - DAY 87
The restaurant is filled with balloons of every color, all
over the floor and bouncing off the tables. A large `Happy
New Year' banner is hanging from the wall.
Kirill is sitting on the floor amongst the balloons, blowing
up another one. Maria, Semyon's little granddaughter, runs
in to the restaurant and stops to stare at Kirill. He
begins to inflate another balloon then stops.
KIRILL
(in Russian)
What are you looking at?
MARIA
(in Russian)
You.
Maria comes to him and take a balloon. She tries to blow
it up but fails. Kirill smiles and blows it up for her.
MARIA (CONT'D)
What were you and Grandpa shouting
about last night?
KIRILL
Nothing, baby.
MARIA
It sounded like something.
Kirill takes a deep breath to blow a balloon then stops
and looks at Maria.
KIRILL
Someone I know got hurt and I blamed
Grandpa.
MARIA
Did you fight each other? I heard
banging.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 96.
87 CONTINUED: 87
KIRILL
No. It's not a fight if one of
you doesn't fight back.
A pause. Kirill smiles. We see slight abrasions.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
So, today I do as I am told.
She nods and Kirill blows another balloon. At that moment
Kirill sees on the security monitor behind the bar that a
police car is pulling up outside the restaurant. His face
clouds as another pulls up beside it.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Maria. Go upstairs.
88 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - DAY 88
Semyon sits at a bare table, opposite Yuri from the Russian
desk. A uniformed officer stands nearby, and there is a
police doctor with a medical bag sitting at the next table,
waiting. The whole scene is rendered surreal by all the
balloons which bounce around them. Semyon is in full
charming old man mode.
SEMYON
(in Russian)
You'll have a drink, Yuri...
He is half on his feet.
YURI
(in Russian)
I don't drink on duty.
SEMYON
(in Russian)
Sometimes I don't believe you are
really Russian.
YURI
(in Russian)
I've told you, I am half Russian.
SEMYON
(in Russian)
Then have half a drink.
Yuri shakes his head. Semyon goes to the optic and helps
himself to a vodka.
(CONTINUED)
WHITE Revision - 9/12/06 97.
88 CONTINUED: 88
SEMYON (CONT'D)
So what is all this nonsense?
YURI
We just need a blood sample.
SEMYON
For what?
YURI
We can take the sample right now
voluntarily or I can get an order
from the court. It's up to you.
Semyon glances at the doctor and chuckles.
SEMYON
(in Russian)
He sits there like a vampire.
YURI
(in Russian)
What, you are afraid of needles,
Semyon?
Semyon's face hardens and he glares at Yuri.
SEMYON
I am afraid of... conspiracies.
A pause. Yuri speaks softly.
YURI
I will return tomorrow with a court
order.
He gets to his feet.
SEMYON
Wait. I've done nothing wrong.
Semyon begins to roll up his sleeve, revealing a long scroll
of tattoos.
Then a needle is being pushed into Semyon's arm by the
doctor. Semyon's face doesn't flicker. He stares into
Yuri's eyes.
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 98.
89 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT. KITCHEN - DAY 89
Kirill is preparing food for the night's festivities.
Semyon enters and goes straight to the sink. He pulls off
the plaster from his arm where the blood was taken and
pours some vodka over the tiny puncture hole.
KIRILL
What did they want with you, papa?
SEMYON
To poison me.
Semyon pours more vodka on the wound then takes a swig.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
They took blood from me with a
needle. Probably the same needle
they use for all the junkies and
whores and blacks and queers.
He glares at Kirill as he rolls his sleeve down.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Now I probably have the fucking
queer disease.
Kirill has his back turned, doesn't react. Semyon sits
heavily. Finally...
KIRILL
Why would they want your blood,
papa?
For the first time Semyon looks vulnerable and confused as
he admits....
SEMYON
I don't know.
Kirill is surprised to see his father unsure. He peers at
him.
SEMYON (CONT'D)
Someone is ahead of me. I don't
like people ahead of me.
Kirill is now unnerved by Semyon's quiet confusion. He
watches as Semyon grabs at the bottle of vodka to drink.
He speaks softly as he swigs.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 99.
89 CONTINUED: 89
SEMYON (CONT'D)
(softly)
What the hell did that cocksucker
want with my blood?
Kirill is reluctant to speak at first but eventually chances
his arm.
KIRILL
Maybe it's about the baby.
SEMYON
(swigging)
What baby?
A pause.
KIRILL
Some bitch was out there saying
you were the father of a baby.
Semyon turns to Kirill, his face hardening...
SEMYON
What are you talking about?
Semyon approaches and Kirill gets scared.
KIRILL
It was nothing. Just some bitch...
SEMYON
Who?
KIRILL
The woman from the hospital. The
midwife.
Semyon stares into Kirill's eyes and Kirill mistakes his
frantic thought process for anger. Kirill backs away.
Semyon is beginning to catch up.
90 EXT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL - NIGHT 90
The main entrance of the hospital is busy with visitors
and staff. There is a `Happy New Year' banner across the
entrance. In amongst the bustle of visitors we spy a young
man with his collar turned up and a bunch of red roses in
his hand.
We then see that it is Kirill, entering the hospital.
GOLDENROD Revision - 11/27/06 100.
91 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. CORRIDOR - NIGHT 91
Anna is walking down a corridor with her crash helmet in
her hand, heading for another shift.
92 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. ELEVATORS - NIGHT 92
We are close on Kirill's face as he studies a map of the
hospital near the elevators.
Anna comes down a stairwell and spots Kirill - she
especially notices the roses - just as he gets into an
elevator. The elevator doors close. Was it really him?
Anna is not sure. She frowns.
93 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. EMPTY CORRIDOR - NIGHT 93
A door opens and Kirill steps into striped moonlight.
Clamping the roses under his arm, he pulls a black zip-up
sports bag from under his coat. After a brief dialogue
with himself, he produces a half bottle of vodka and takes
a swig. Then he hurries on.
94 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. S.C.B.U. CHRISTINE'S PRIVATE ROOM -94
NIGHT
Anna walks onto the ward in her uniform. She checks a few
stats as she walks by various beds. She then glances over
at Christine's private room. She tiptoes into the room
and goes to the crib. She finds it empty - except for a
bunch of red roses. Outside the ward is now filling up
with visitors. Babies cry, people laugh.
Anna goes back out to the ward and calls to a nurse.
ANNA
Sonya! Is someone bathing
Christine?
SONYA
No. She's in her cot.
ANNA
(calmly)
Well she's not. She's not.
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 101.
95 OMITTED 95
96 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. CORRIDOR - NIGHT 96
Anna runs at breakneck speed through the corridors.
97 EXT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. CAR PARK - NIGHT 97
Kirill is at the wheel of Nikolai's Mercedes. He swigs
from his bottle of vodka, which is now more than half empty.
He fires the engine and reverses. A car passing by has to
slam on its brakes. Kirill yells.
KIRILL
Hey, you stupid fucker!!
A horn blows. The passing car accelerates angrily by. Then
we hear a baby crying. Kirill looks into the half darkness
of the back seat and we see Kirill's black sports bag,
partially zipped up. Christine is crying inside it, her
little grasping hand protruding past the zipper. Kirill
speaks softly.
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Be quiet baby. Quiet baby. It's
OK.
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 102.
98 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. WARD OUTSIDE NIKOLAI'S ROOM - 98
NIGHT
Anna flies out of Nikolai's room and spots a nurse.
ANNA
What happened to the patient with
the knife cuts? The Russian?
NURSE
We just discharged him. A couple
of minutes ago.
Anna runs out.
99 INT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. RECEPTION - NIGHT 99
Anna runs fast down the corridor towards the hospital exit.
She spots Nikolai ahead of her.
She pushes past a couple of drunks and flies at him.
ANNA
Where have they taken Christine?!
Nikolai reacts.
ANNA (CONT'D)
You bastards!! Where will he take
her?! Tell me!!
People back away as Nikolai grabs Anna's arms and holds
her still.
NIKOLAI
What are you talking about?!
Anna studies Nikolai's face and sees his genuine confusion.
She calms down a little.
ANNA
Kirill. Kirill has taken Christine.
I saw him here! I thought he was
coming to see you, but he wasn't,
was he?
Nikolai curses under his breath and thinks fast.
NIKOLAI
You brought your bike?
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 103.
100 EXT. NINE ELMS. ABANDONED DOCK - NIGHT 100
The same dockside where Nikolai dumped Soyka and recommended
this as the best place to dispose of a body. Kirill pulls
up slowly in Nikolai's Mercedes. The car is parked for a
long time before finally the headlights are switched off.
101 EXT. TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL. MATERNITY UNIT - NIGHT 101
Nikolai and Anna race to Anna's motorbike.
NIKOLAI
I'll drive.
ANNA
I'll drive.
Anna and Nikolai leap aboard the bike and it starts first
time. With Nikolai riding pillion, they roar away.
101A EXT. LONDON STREET - NIGHT 101A
Anna and Nikolai ride through London streets.
102 EXT. NINE ELMS. ABANDONED DOCK - NIGHT 102
On the edge of the dockside, Kirill is kneeling with the
zip-up bag before him. Suddenly fireworks begin to burst
over the Thames. It is the stroke of midnight.
Kirill unzips the bag. When he looks inside Christine
stops crying. He peers at her, wiping away tears.
KIRILL
She's a little girl, Papa, a little
sweet fucking girl...
Kirill sobs then Christine cries...
KIRILL (CONT'D)
Shush, shush...
Kirill lifts her out of the bag and holds her close to
him, fireworks still illuminating the London skyline. He
looks down at the freezing cold water, utterly confused.
He whispers...
KIRILL (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
I'm sorry, my little sister.
(CONTINUED)
BLUE Revision - 11/4/06 103A.
102 CONTINUED: 102
For a moment we believe he is going to throw her into the
water. Instead he begins to sing a lullaby to her and her
crying stops.
(CONTINUED)
PINK Revision - 11/12/06 104.
102 CONTINUED: (2) 102
Then we see a single light behind him. In a firework flash
we see Nikolai and Anna climbing off the bike. They
approach cautiously. Kirill stares at the man he loves.
A pause. Christine begins to cry.
ANNA
Kirill, let me take the baby.
KIRILL
You stay where you are.
ANNA
She's cold, Kirill.
Kirill suddenly screams as another barrage of fireworks
explodes. Nikolai doesn't move. Kirill is dangerously
close to the edge of the dock. Maybe he'll throw himself
in too.
NIKOLAI
Kirill, a vor doesn't kill little
babies.
Kirill is motionless.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Something like this would be bad
for all of us. Your dad has gone
too far, Kirill.
A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
(in Russian)
It's our turn now.
Nikolai steps forward slowly. As he gets closer Kirill
hugs the baby.
Finally Nikolai reaches Kirill and hugs him. As he does
he edges him away from the dockside. The three of them are
locked in a long embrace.
Nikolai emerges from the embrace with Christine in his
arms. He quickly hands her to Anna who hugs her close.
Kirill turns to Nikolai.
KIRILL
I swear I didn't know my dad was
setting you up.
(CONTINUED)
YELLOW Revision - 11/21/06 105.
102 CONTINUED: (3) 102
NIKOLAI
He's going away. When he's gone
the family business will be yours.
A pause.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
We can be partners again. Thunder
and lightning, right?
Kirill smiles through his tears and nods.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
Get into the car. I'll drive you
home.
A pause. Kirill dries his eyes and heads for the car.
Nikolai looks at Anna, who is hugging the baby. He waits
a long time before realizing he must leave her.
NIKOLAI (CONT'D)
You're OK, yeah?
Anna nods.
ANNA
Who are you really? Why have you
helped us?
(CONTINUED)
106
102 CONTINUED: (4) 102
Nikolai can't answer truthfully, though he longs to do so.
There is a long pause before he manages to finds a suitable
lie.
NIKOLAI
How can I become King if the King
is still in place?
A pause. He laughs.
Anna studies him, unsure. More New Year fireworks explode
over the river. Kirill yells from the car...
KIRILL
You come on, Nikolai! We're missing
the fucking party of the year out
there!! Get here and drive!!
(in Russian)
That's a fucking order!!
Nikolai and Anna peer at each other.
NIKOLAI
Maybe I can drive you somewhere?
She shakes her head.
ANNA
There's someone I can call. He'll
come and fetch us.
Nikolai nods, not liking the information but hiding it.
Nikolai comes close and gently uncovers Christine's face.
He smiles. Kirill is hooting the car horn.
After a moment Nikolai and Anna kiss each other gently
before Nikolai heads for the car.
103 OMITTED 103*
107
104 INT. HELEN'S HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 104*
A summer's day. Anna, Helen and Uncle Stepan are preparing
to eat Sunday lunch. Stepan is carving. The conversation
is jovial as Anna and Helen bring dishes of food to the
table.
Then we hear a baby crying. Anna goes to a small crib and
lifts a six-month-old Christine out. She hands her to
Helen who hugs her. Over this happy scene we hear Tatiana
in V.O., a repeat of the first words we heard her say.
TATIANA (V.O.)
My name is Tatiana. My father
died in the mines in my village,
so he was already buried when he
died...
Anna takes Christine back and takes her to the window to
peer outside, staring across the park.
105 INT. TRANS-SIBERIAN RESTAURANT - SAME DAY 105
Nikolai is sitting at a window table, alone, sipping vodka,
staring back across the park. He peers out at ordinary
life going on in the streets outside. Tatiana's V.O.
continues...
TATIANA (V.O.)
We were all buried there. Beneath
the soil of Russia. That is why I
left to find a better life.
Nikolai finishes his drink.
THE END
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