Part Three: The Descent to Hell

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Yasnaya Polyana: Sonya's bedroom


INT. SONYA'S BEDROOM - DAY

Sonya is being probed by Dr. Nikitin and Dr. Rossolino.

DR. ROSSOLINO
How long have you suffered
from insomnia?

SONYA
Ever since Mr. Chertkov
moved to Telyatinki. Mr.
Chertkov has been the cause
of all my sufferings.

Dr. Rossolino scribbles in his notebook.

DR. NIKITIN
Sophia Andreyevna, would you
allow me to take your pulse?


SALON

The family (Leo, Sasha, Tanya, Sukhotin, Ilya, Andrey, Sergey) and Dr. Nikitin are listening to Dr. Rossolino's report.

DR. ROSSOLINO
The countess has a combination
of hysteria and paranoia. The
first shows itself in the
specially vivid coloring of
her experiences. The second
is indicated by excessive
suspicions and the forming
of incorrect conclusions about
her husband, his teachings
and his relationship with
Mr. Chertkov.

TANYA
What kind of treatment do you
recommend?


SALON - LATER

Same as before. Tanya brings in her mother.

TANYA
Come, mamushka, have a seat!

Sonya installs herself in an armchair.

TANYA
The doctors recommend that
you and papa should separate
for a while. What do you
think?

SONYA
No.
(weeping)
Where would I go? Where do you
want to send me?
(to Leo)
You planned it a long time ago,
didn't you? The trip to the
madhouse - was it to find out
where to lock up your wife?

LEO
Nonsense. Nonsense.

TANYA
Mama, nothing was planned. We
only think that you two need
a period of separation to
calm your nerves.

SONYA
Ilya? Andreyusha? Sergey?

SERGEY.
Mama, it will be for the best.
You must admit that things
are not working out here.

SONYA
All of you? ... Leo?

Leo makes an indecisive gesture.

SONYA
So I am to go to make way for
Chertkov? Is that it?
(to others)
Don't you see, you fools? The
moment I'm gone that scoundrel
will have him all to himself.
He'll have it all, including
what should come to you once
your father is dead. Ask him!
Ask him about the will! There
is a will, I know it!

Leo jumps from his seat and, hands behind his back, begins to pace the room.

LEO
This is going nowhere. See
what we are doing to her!
(to the doctors)
Is there another solution?

DR. NIKITIN
Sophia Andreyevna's nerves
could benefit from frequent
baths and long walks.

DR. ROSSOLINO
And a complete avoidance of
stressful situations.


EXT. COURTYARD

A carriage is waiting while Tanya is seeing out the two physicians.

Alone, in the door, Leo observes the scene.

LEO
(mumbling)
Idiots!


INT. STAIRCASE - DAY

Andrey and Ilya intercept Sasha.

ANDREY
Sasha!

SASHA
What?

ANDREY
A word with you in private!


SECRETARIAT

Sasha, Andrey and Ilya enter. Facing her brothers, Sasha folds her arms in defiance.

SASHA
All right, what do you want
to know?

ILYA
Just tell us, has father made
a will?

Sasha is silent.

ANDREY
Has he or hasn't he?

SASHA
I cannot and will not, during
father's lifetime, speak of
his death.


LEO'S STUDY

The old man is bent over his desk, writing, when Andrey bursts in.

ANDREY
Father, I must talk to you!
There is much turmoil in the
family and mother is very
upset. I want to ask you if
you have made any sort of will.

LEO
I do not consider myself
obliged to answer you.

ANDREY
Ah, ah, ah? So you don't want
to answer?

LEO
I do not.

He returns to his writing.


SECRETARIAT

Sasha and Ilya wait in front of the study.

Andrey exits and angrily shrugs his shoulders.


EXT. FOREST PATH - DAY

Leading their horses by the bridles, Leo and Chertkov stroll under the trees.

CHERTKOV
Surely, we could arrange
other meetings like this one.

LEO
No, this must be our last.
Things are calmer now that
I promised Sonya never to
see you again.

CHERTKOV
But surely, Leo Nikolayevich...

LEO
Posha Biryukov called on me
yesterday. I confided in him
and he correctly told me that
it was wrong of me to deceive
my family about the will. I
should have done it openly or
I should have left things as
they were and not done
anything.

CHERTKOV
(panicking)
Not so, Leo Nikolayevich,
not so! You have done nothing
wrong. You have simply obeyed
the will of God by resisting
your family's greed. ---
I am naturally concerned for
your peace and since Sonya
Andreyevna asks you not to see
me, I'll submit without a
murmur.

Leo gratefully squeezes Chertkov's arm.

LEO
Sonya, too, has made a sacri-
fice. She has agreed to a
separation. I'm going to live
with Tanya - at least for a
while.

Chertkov stops abruptly, forcing Leo to do the same. They stare at each other, both brimming with emotion.

Suddenly, they are in each other's arms, embracing.

Leo frees himself from Chertkov's squeeze and hastily mounts his horse.

LEO
I did not promise not to
write to you.

CHERTKOV
(smiling)
Every day!

He watches as Leo leaves, his smile quickly fading.


INT. HALL AT Y.P. - NIGHT

Two servants carry a trunk downstairs, where other pieces of luggage are piled up by the door.


SALON

Tanya, Sukhotin, Leo, Sonya.

SONYA
(weeping)
Please! I promise I'll behave!

LEO
I'm going to bed.

Wearily, he gets up and exits.

Sukhotin nods toward the weeping Sonya and signals to Tanya to soothe the situation.

SUKHOTIN
I'd better turn in as well.
We have an early start.

SONYA
Everybody is betraying me!

Sobbing, she runs out of the salon.

SOUND OF THE MAIN DOOR SLAMMING.

SUKHOTIN
Jesus, not another hide-and-
seek party tonight! I'm
weary of these games. Where
does she get the energy?


CORRIDOR

Holding her under the elbow, Tanya leads her mother upstairs.

TANYA
It's only for a week, mama.
You both need a rest.

Sonya wiggles out of Tanya's grip.

SONYA
A rest from what? A rest from
my love, is that what you mean?
What would you say if I took
your husband away from you?

TANYA
Mamushka, please, be reasonable!
You agreed that it would be for
the best.

SONYA
(weeping)
You are killing me, all of you!
How am I supposed to get
better if you keep wounding me
mortally from all sides? I
don't want to be left alone!
(loud moans)

Leo's bedroom door opens, revealing Leo in his nightshirt.

LEO
(exasperated)
Let her come with us!


EXT. KOTCHETY ESTATE, BALCONY - DAY

Sonya and her granddaughter TANYECHKA (10) are dressing a doll. Rummaging in her sewing basket, Sonya retrieves a ribbon and ties it around the doll's hair.

SONYA
There! Isn't that pretty?

After admiring the doll, Tanyechka hugs her grandmother.
Sonya's arms tighten around the child.

Close up at Sonya's moist eyes. She loves being loved.


EXT. KOTCHETY/GARDEN - DAY

A morning mist hangs over the garden. Clad in a dressing gown tied over her nightshirt, Sonya cuts flowers and gathers them into a bouquet.


LEO'S ROOM

Leo is asleep. Sonya enters carrying her bouquet. She sits on the edge of the bed and tickles Leo's face with the flowers.

SONYA
Lyovochka, my soul, wake up!

Leo sneezes and opens his eyes.

SONYA
Good morning, Lyova! Guess
what day is today? It's your
birthday! You are eighty-two!
I wish you all the best, dear.
Good health and long life to
you!
(primly)
I mean a long life without
deceptions, secrets or
obsessions. And I hope that
now that we are friends
again, you'll become truly
enlightened.

Leo is not pleased.


INT. DINING ROOM - EVENING

End of a celebratory meal. Seated around the table are Leo, Sonya, Sasha, Tanya, Sukhotin, Dr. Makovitsky, Bulgakov and Tanyechka. Maids are serving cake, tea, and liquor. Leo drinks water.

LEO
Chastity is the Christian
ideal and ought to be
practiced by all.

DR. MAKOVITSKY
Indeed, nothing is healthier
both physically and mentally.

SONYA
I would disagree with that,
Doctor. Why, Leo, when we were
younger -- not so long ago! --
you claimed that without
discharging your energy you
could not write well.

Leo scowls. Sonya is blissfully unaware of the embarrassment around the table.

SONYA
Besides, if we were all monks
or ascetics there would be no
children and without children
there would be no Kingdom of
God on earth.

LEO
(exploding)
What's the use of talking to
you? You don't want to
understand anything! You don't
even listen!

Sonya looks at the frowning faces around her and bites her lip. With tears in her eyes, she leaves the table.


INT. SONYA'S ROOM - NIGHT

Sonya sits at her dressing table, combing her hair. Leo enters and hovers at her side.

LEO
I came to say good night.

SONYA
(flatly)
Good night then.

A pause.

LEO
Why did you leave the table?

Sonya silently brushes her hair.

LEO
I did not mean to shout at you.

SONYA
Because of you, I became
pregnant sixteen times.
Thirteen children and three
miscarriages. And you talk of
chastity!

LEO
Sonya, I want peace.

SONYA
And what do you want me to do
so that we can live in peace?

LEO
Abandon the copyrights, give
the land away, and live in a
cottage.

SONYA
All right, I agree to our
going to live together in a
cottage.

Leo swallows this surprising declaration and it does not agree with him.

LEO
For God's sake, leave me
alone! I will go away! It is
impossible to be happy if,
like you, one hates one half
of the human race!

SONYA
But whom do I hate?

LEO
You hate Chertkov and me.

SONYA
Yes, I hate Chertkov, not you.
I'll keep you two apart even
if it means that I must kill
him! Then come what may! As it
is now, life is hell!

Leo backs up and saves himself.


EXT. GARDEN - DAY

Carrying a folded newspaper, Bulgakov strides toward Leo, Dr. Makovitsky and Sasha who are strolling along a path, enjoying the early fall sunshine.

Bulgakov rattles the newspaper to attract their attention.

They meet to peruse an article. Leo seems pleased.

In the background, Tanyechka skips out of the house, followed by Tanya and Sonya.

The group of readers splits apart instantly. Sasha snatches the newspaper, hides it in the folds of her skirt and heads for the house.

Leo pursues his morning stroll with a spring in his step.

Sonya's eagle eyes have not missed the scene. Furtively, she follows Sasha.


INT. STAIRCASE

Sonya stands at the foot of the staircase, listening to the SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS upstairs. Her head is tilting as she follows the progress of the noise.

CREAK OF AN OPENING DOOR. After a pause, THE DOOR CLOSES AND THE FOOTFALLS ARE HEARD AGAIN. Someone is returning to the staircase.

Sonya slips away as Sasha appears on the landing.


GARDEN

Leo and Dr. Makovitsky rest on a bench.

LEO
Yesterday, after reading a
Maupassant story, an idea
came to me to portray a
spiritually alive person in
the midst of vulgarity. It
could be either a man or a
woman. Oh, how great it could
be, and how it attracts me!
Maybe I shall do it.
(he sighs)
No, I think not. The struggle
with Sonya saps my energy.


GARDEN - LATER

Sukhotin, returning from a ride, is approaching the house.

On the lawn, Tanyechka skips a rope while Tanya
and Sasha chat. Leo and Dr. Makovitsky are still seated on the bench.

SONYA (O.S.)
No!!! No!!! No!!!

Sukhotin reins in his horse and hastily dismounts.

Sonya, clutching the newspaper, bursts out of the house.

SONYA
This is my death sentence!
I will not stand for it!
I'll kill him! I'll pay
someone to poison him!

Frightened, Tanyechka drops the rope and runs for the shelter of her mother arms.

SONYA
Do you hear me, Leo! I'll kill
him and then I kill myself!

She collapses on the ground, moaning and convulsing.

SUKHOTIN
What is this? What's
happening?

SASHA
Chertkov. There's a government
notice that the ban has been
lifted. He can remain at
Telyatinki. -- For God's sake,
do something about her!

Sukhotin seizes Sonya and drags her into the house.


SALON

Sukhotin hauls Sonya into the room and forces her into an armchair.

SUKHOTIN
(shouting)
Enough!

Startled, Sonya clams up.

SUKHOTIN
This must stop! Bear in mind,
that if you go on destroying
your husband, he will leave you.
Your glory as Tolstoy's wife
will collapse.

SONYA
I will write to the papers.
I will justify myself.

SUKHOTIN
That's where you are wrong.
Rumors are already circulating
about the shrew of Yasnaya
Polyana. Too late to justify
yourself. A man in his eighties
does not leave his wife for
nothing!

A pause as Sonya digests this fact.

SUKHOTIN
What's more, I suspect that you
are faking your mental illness.

SONYA
No, I'm really ill.

SUKHOTIN
If you are, then follow the
doctors' advice. Part with Leo
Nikolayevich. Otherwise, he
will be forced to leave you.

SONYA
If he does, I'll print a death
letter in the papers about all
he did, and then I'll poison
myself and disgrace him all
over Russia.

SUKHOTIN
But nobody will believe you.
Nobody!


EXT. COURTYARD - DAY

Sonya's luggage is being loaded into a waiting droshky.

Sonya, at her meekest, is taking leave of her family. One by one, she embraces them, squeezing their hands, kissing the somewhat reluctant Tanyechka.

SONYA
(tearful)
Forgive me... please forgive
me... forgive me...

Addressing a group of servants:

SONYA
Forgive me. Goodbye, goodbye
all of you!

LEO
Are you sure you want to
travel alone? Sasha is willing
to accompany you.

SONYA
No, alone. I must be alone.


EXT. YASNAYA POLYANA - DAY


GARDEN SKIRTING THE HOUSE

Varya is startled as an object flies out of a window and crashes at her feet. She bends over to inspect it. It is a shattered framed photograph of Leo and Chertkov shaking hands.

Varya dodges two more projectiles: portraits of Chertkov and Sasha.

Sonya appears at the window and spies Varya gathering the debris.

SONYA
Leave that!


INT. LEO'S BEDROOM - DAY

A cloud of smoke wafts from Leo's study, mingling with the SOUND OF A RELIGIOUS CHANT.

AN ORTHODOX PRIEST appears in the door frame, followed by AN ACOLYTE swinging an incenser. Chanting, the priest begins sprinkling holy water over the room.

Sonya stands in the doorframe, head bent over her joined hands.


INT. CHERTKOV'S OFFICE - DAY

Chertkov listens to Varya.

VARYA
She had the house exorcised
to get rid of your evil spirit.
She is plotting not only to
inherit the early Tolstoy
copyrights but to get hold
of all Master's writings. She
told me that everybody
will believe her if I she
says they were written
before eighty-one. And, if
there is a will in your
benefit, she and her sons
will break it on the
grounds of her husband's
senility. She said that no
man of sound mind would
disinherit his family.

CHERTKOV
Hah! Leo Nikolayevich must
be made aware of this. I'll
write to him immediately.



EXT. ESTABLISHING, YASNAYA POLYANA - DAY

The trees are shedding their leaves.


HALL

Bulgakov's suitcase rests under the coat hanger.


SALON

Bulgakov sits across from Sonya, sipping his tea.

SONYA
Eat the pirogy, they are
freshly baked. You must be
starved.

Bulgakov gratefully reaches towards the serving plate.

SONYA
Am I to believe that he is
truly returning home? His
silence is hurtful. For weeks
I have received not a single
word from him.

BULGAKOV
Tomorrow for sure.

SONYA
It will be a sad wedding
anniversary. There is no joy
left in this marriage. When
I think back, when I remember
the eighteen-year old
Sonyechka Behrs to whom he
said: 'If you don't accept my
offer of marriage, I'll shoot
myself', when I remember that,
I want to weep. To tell you
the truth, I don't love him
anymore. I think I don't.
Before Chertkov appeared, we
were man and wife. What are
we now?

BULGAKOV
(timidly)
In truth, Sophia Andreyevna,
I think that, should you
accept the fact that Master
will never forget Mr. Chertkov,
there could be hope for a
reconciliation.

SONYA
You naïve boy! I know you mean
well but such an idea is simply
unconceivable.


INT. CARRIAGE - NIGHT

Leo is huddled in a corner, sharing the seat with Sasha. Dr. Makovitsky sits opposite. A gloomy silence accompanies the rattle of the carriage.

DR. MAKOVITSKY
Are you feeling well?

LEO
No, I cannot say that I am.
I feel uncomfortable with the
idea of what awaits me at
home. It is impossible to talk
to her. She is not bound
by either logic or conscience
or truth. Not to speak of any
love for me - she does not
even need my love. She only
needs that people should think
that I love her. And that's
terrible.


INT. HALL - NIGHT

The three travelers have entered the hall and are divesting themselves of their coats.

Sonya, wrapped in her dressing gown, slowly descends the steps.

She and Leo look at each other in silence.

SONYA
Why did you not come sooner?

LEO
Because I didn't want to.

Sonya turns her back to him and returns upstairs.


INT. LEO'S STUDY - DAY

Hands behind his back, Leo contemptuously stares at the wall where photographs of Chertkov and Sasha had hung. They are now replaced by Sonya's portrait.


EXT. GARDEN

Sonya drags Leo toward Bulgakov who stands behind a camera.

SONYA
What do you mean by no? Are
you refusing me what you
accorded to your fancy friend?
For him and his cronies you
posed like an old coquette.
It's our forty-eighth
anniversary. Surely, I am
entitled to a record of this
day!

She aligns her surly husband in front of the camera and clutching his arm, sticks to his side.

SONYA
Take the picture, Valya!

While Bulgakov focuses the lens, Sonya notices that Leo has turned his head away from her.

SONYA
Leo, look at me and smile!

Thumbs tucked in his belt, Leo scowls and pulls away. Sonya jerks him back. She forces a smile and holds, while Leo doggedly maintains his surly expression.

THE CAMERA CLICKS.

Standing in the shadow of the house, Sasha observes her parents with an angry frown.


INT. SECRETARIAT - DAY

Varya works on some paperwork. Sasha sits in front of her typewriter, arms folded, brooding.

A BELL RINGS in Leo's study. Nobody moves.

VARYA
He wants you.

Sasha tightens the fold of her arms.

VARYA
Are you not going to answer?

Sasha shrugs.

The study door opens and Leo pokes his head out.

LEO
Sashenka? I need you to
take a dictation.

No reaction from Sasha.

VARYA
I'll do it, Leo Nikolayevich.

Sasha stands up.

SASHA
No! It's all right.

She gathers a pencil and a notebook.


LEO'S STUDY

Stone-faced, Sasha enters.

LEO
Sasha, what's wrong with you?
Are you not feeling well?

SASHA
(exploding)
I'm sick to my stomach, papa,
and that's the truth! I'm
sick of watching you obeying
her like a dog!

She points at Sonya's portrait.

SASHA
Look at that! Are you going
to leave it there? My God,
father, have you no will of
your own?

LEO
You are so much like her,
Sasha.

Sasha gasps, startled by the truth of Leo's remark. She falls on her knees and wraps her arms around her father's legs.

SASHA
Forgive me, papa! Please
forgive me! I love you so much!
She is not worthy of you.
I can do so much better!
Papushka, please, lets get out
of here, just the two of us!
Let's live in a hut, let's
live a simple life, the way
you always wanted to! I'll
wash your shirts, I'll scrub
the floor, I'll take care of
everything!

Leo gathers her in his arms and strokes her back.

LEO
Sasha, Sashenka... This is a
beautiful dream. A dream! In
reality, within days, mama
would move next door with her
servants and fine china and
the situation would be much
the same.
(in tears)
All I need is your love,
daughter, just your love!


INT. LEO'S STUDY - DAY

Close up of Sonya clutching her throat.

She is staring at a portrait of Chertkov that has replaced her own.

She pounces on it and yanks it off the wall.

THE GLASS BREAKS as she smashes the frame against Leo's desk.


SECRETARIAT

Varya and Bulgakov, both frozen with apprehension, watch as Sonya exits from Leo's study clutching Chertkov's
portrait.

SONYA
(brandishing
the photograph)
He has re-hung it! You see?
You see?

She tears the photograph to bits.

Looking at the scattered paper, she reconsiders, drops on her knees and gathers the shreds.
.
SONYA
No ... I must burn it. He
must burn!


SONYA'S BEDROOM

A small heap of ashes is smoldering in the fireplace.

Sonya, brooding, sits on her bed, playing with a revolver.
She aims at the fireplace and shoots.


EXT. COURTYARD - DAY

Leo and Dr. Makovitsky are dismounting from their horses. A crowd (Varya, Bulgakov, servants) gather around them. A discussion follows, during which Bulgakov mimics shooting.

At Bulgakov...

BULGAKOV
She said she was practicing.


LEO'S ROOM

Leo reclines on the bed while Dr. Makovitsky removes his boots and massages his ankles.

A BLAST OF ANOTHER SHOT.

Leo and Makovitsky exchange looks. Leo wearily shakes his head, lays down to rest and closes his eyes.


HALL

Coming from outside, Sasha and Varya begin to ascend the stairs. Sonya looms at the top of the staircase.

SONYA
Get out of my house, you two
vipers!

SASHA
Mama?

SONYA
Pack up and get out!


INT. LEO'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

(Sasha, Leo.)

LEO
Where are you going?

SASHA
To Telyatinki. There's a
cottage to let.

LEO
That's good. That way, you
can still come every morning.

SASHA
But papa...

LEO
(exhausted)
It's good, it's good.


INT. DINING ROOM - EVENING

Dinner is being served. Seated around the table are Sonya, Tanya, Bulgakov and Dr. Makovitsky. Leo's chair is empty although his place is set.

TANYA
You fired Varya? Why?

SONYA
I suspect that the woman is in
collusion with Chertkov. I'm
not taking any more risks. As
for Sasha, that, too, has been
long coming. I cleansed out
the vipers' nest. Now we have
a true home.

She notices that Leo is absent.

SONYA
What takes father so long?
Someone please call him! The
soup will get cold!

Bulgakov gets up.


STAIRCASE

Bulgakov races down the stairs.

BULGAKOV
Doctor! Doctor!


LEO'S BEDROOM

Leo is convulsing on the bed - face twisted, legs trashing. Makovitsky and Bulgakov hold him down with Tanya's assistance. Sonya is frozen with horror.

Another fit follows. Sonya falls on her knees.

SONYA
Not this time, O Lord! Not
this time! Please spare him!


INT. STAIRCASE - NIGHT

Breathless, Sasha is rushing upstairs.


LEO'S BEDROOM

Leo, undressed and tucked in, lays motionless. Dr. Makovitsky, Tanya and Bulgakov keep watch over him. Sonya is praying on her knees.

Sasha bursts in.

She stops by the bed and looks at her father.

SASHA
How many convulsions so far?

TANYA
Five.

DR. MAKOVITSKY
He is better now. He sleeps.

SONYA
I didn't want that. I didn't
want that!


INT. DINING ROOM - DAWN

The evening meal is still on the table, untouched.

Sasha enters and approaches the samovar. She pours tea and drinks thirstily.

Sonya steps in.

SONYA
The tea is cold.

SASHA
I know.

SONYA
Sasha?

SASHA
Yes, mama?

SONYA
I know I was wrong.

SASHA
(sarcastic)
Were you, mama?

SONYA
I shouldn't have thrown you
out. Please forgive me and
come back!

SASHA
No, thank you. We are very
well, Varya and I.

SONYA
She can come too. She can have
her job back. I'll do anything
to make father better. Anything!
Let's unite to make his last
days peaceful! Even Chertkov
can visit him.


INT. LEO'S BEDROOM - DAY

Leo sits in the bed, his back propped against several pillows. Sonya puts a tray with food on his lap.

SONYA
You really don't remember?

LEO
No. I felt a little tired, so
I took a nap. When I woke up
there were a number of anxious
people around the bed.

Sonya sits on the edge, takes his hand and kisses it tenderly.

SONYA
Are you well enough? If you
wish to see him tonight,
I'll send an invitation to
Telyatinki.

Leo grins happily.


INT. SONYA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Sonya sits in an armchair, hands in her lap, waiting.

GALLOP OF AN ARRIVING HORSE.

Sonya's back begins to bend. She clasps her hands over her head, becoming a motionless knot.


INT. HALL - DAY

Bulgakov, carrying his briefcase, is intercepted by Sonya.

SONYA
Are you going to Telyatinki?

BULGAKOV
Yes, Sophia Andreyevna.

SONYA
(uneasy)
Last night I really tried to
reconcile myself with the
idea of accepting Vladimir
Grigorievich under my roof.
Believe me, I tried! But I
simply cannot endure his
presence. When he was here,
I felt I was dying. Please,
tell him that he must come no
more.


INT. SONYA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Sonya is undressing when Leo enters. He takes a determined stance.

LEO
Wife, I want to talk to you
and I beg you to listen to me
without interruption.


CORRIDOR

RAISED VOICES from Sonya's bedroom.

SONYA (O.S.)
Don't try to hoodwink me into
thinking that he is no closer
to you than your own family!
I will not have him here -
not ever! - and if you want
peace at home, you'll stop
seeing him. Do you hear me?

The door lets out an escaping Leo, followed by a half-dressed Sonya.

SONYA
I will not sleep until I find
the truth about you two!


EXT. COURTYARD - DAY

A stable hand brings Leo's horse.

As Leo is about to mount, Sonya exits the house.

SONYA
Where are you going?

LEO
For a ride.

SONYA
You are going to see Chertkov.

LEO
No, I'm simply going for a
ride.

SONYA
That's a lie! I know you are
going to see him.

Leo shrugs and swings his leg over the horse's back.

LEO
Believe what you want!


COUNTRY ROAD

It’s a cold, gloomy day. A blustery wind agitates Leo's beard as his horse trots along the road.

A RATTLE OF WHEELS.

Leo turns to see Sonya driving a dog cart. Having not wasted time to fetch a coat, she is wearing only her house dress.

Leo reins in his horse. Sonya does the same.

They stare at each other defiantly, before Leo nudges his horse forward. Sonya follows, maintaining the same distance.

Periodically turning his head to see what his wife is up to, Leo leaves the road and urges his horse across the fields.

With grim determination, Sonya keeps following him over the uneven ground.


COURTYARD

Leo reins in his horse in front of the stable and dismounts. He starts toward the house as Sonya's dogcart
arrives.

Stiff with cold, she alights with great difficulty. Leo walks home without sparing her a glance.


INT. HALL - DAY

Leo is staring through the open door into the salon.


SALON

Sneezing and coughing, Sonya sits on a sofa, wrapped in a blanket. She is warming her hands around a steaming glass of tea.

Leo comes in and selects a pear from a fruit basket. He cuts it in half and arranges it on a dessert plate. He carries the offering to Sonya.

Sonya accepts one half and hands him the other one. Sitting side by side, they munch on their fruit.


INT. LEO'S BEDROOM - EVENING

Leo enters and wearily sits on his bed. After a pause, he moves to the table and lifts the lid of the inkstand. He reaches into a pair of old boots under the table. His arm stiffens.

Turning the boots upside down, he shakes them but nothing comes out.


LEO'S STUDY

Leo rummages in the drawers.


SECRETARIAT

Bulgakov, seated at the desk, lifts his head as Leo comes in.

LEO
Have you, by any chance, seen
a red notebook anywhere?

BULGAKOV
No, I haven't. Do you want me
to look for it?

Leo is silent. Bulgakov acknowledges the air of tension.

BULGAKOV
What was it, Leo Nikolayevich?

LEO
A diary. A diary for myself
alone.

At Bulgakov...

... whose face registers the gravity of the situation.


INT. LEO'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Leo, stretched out in his bed, stares at the ceiling.

A NOISE OF DOOR OPENING AND THE CREAK OF THE FLOOR in the adjoining study.

A BEAM OF LIGHT appears under the door. FURTIVE STEPS MOVE AROUND THE ROOM, DRAWERS ARE BEING OPENED AND CLOSED. A RUSTLE OF PAPER, A CREAK OF A CABINET DOOR.

THE STEPS APPROACH THE DOOR OF LEO'S ROOM.

Leo falls back in his bed, pretending to be asleep.

The door opens. Holding a lamp, Sonya stands on the threshold and observes her sleeping husband. Satisfied, she gently closes the door.

Leo listens to her RETREATING STEPS.

In the ensuing silence, he throws off the cover and steps into his slippers.


SASHA'S ROOM

Leo's hand gently grips Sasha's shoulder. She wakes up with a start.

SASHA
What...? Papa? Papa, what's
wrong?

LEO
Shhh... Don't make noise!
Sashenka, I'm leaving here.
I'm leaving Yasnaya Polyana.

(CONTINUED)