Part Two: The War of Diaries

.

Chertkov and Tolstoy


INT. SALON IN YASNAYA POLYANA - DAY

Sonya, Leo, Sasha.

LEO
He is coming in the spirit of
reconciliation. All I'm asking
of you is to be civil.

SONYA
And all I'm asking you, begging
you, is to reclaim the diaries.

SASHA
Do we have to go over it again?
Papa has made a promise, haven't
you, papushka?
(reacting to the
noise of arrival)
There he is!

She approaches the door and pauses, hand on the handle.

SASHA
Mama, please, try to be calm!
(opening the
door)
Vladimir Grigorievich,
welcome! Come in! Papa is
impatient to see you. And
mother too, I'm sure.

Sonya rolls her eyes and snorts.

Chertkov enters and plants a kiss on Sasha's hand.

CHERTKOV
Alexandra Lvovna, what a
pleasure!

Leo approaches him with an outstretched hand. A wordless emotional handshake followed by a hug.

CHERTKOV
Sophia Andreyevna, your
servant.

He bends over to kiss her hand.

CHERTKOV
I have heard that you have
recently been speaking of
me as your enemy. This feeling
must be attributed to some
misunderstanding that will
soon dissolve like a bad dream.

Sonya removes her hand from his and ostensibly rubs it against her skirt.

An awkward moment before Leo intervenes. He hooks his hand under Chertkov's arm.

LEO
Come, Volodya, let's talk
about old times.

He leads Chertkov to a sofa at the other side of the room.

SONYA
Ring for tea, Sasha!


SALON - LATER

Tea has been served. Sonya pretends to play solitaire while straining her ears and casting sly looks at the two men in intimate conversation.

Sasha enters, carrying a file.

SASHA
The newspaper clippings. You
will find them interesting,
Vladimir Grigorievich.

Sonya's gaze is fixed on Leo's and Chertkov's knees: they are touching.

She reaches for her teacup and deliberately drops it on the floor.

THE SOUND OF BREAKING CHINA interrupts the conversation. The air thickens as Leo and Sonya lock eyes.

LEO
There is so much more I want
to show you, Vladimir. Why don't
we come to my study? Come with
us, Sashenka, you know where
everything is.


LEO'S STUDY

Sasha, Leo, Chertkov.

CHERTKOV
Unfortunately, I was told that
the term 'the people' is not
legal. In order to make the
will valid, you must bequeath
your work to a specific person.

He reaches into his breast pocket and unfolds a document.

CHERTKOV
At my request the lawyer made
an alteration. I suggested
Alexandra Lvovna as the
beneficiary and myself as the
executor.

SASHA
No, not me!

CHERTKOV
Alexandra Lvovna, you alone
understand the moral importance
of your father's legacy.

LEO
Will you do it, Sashenka?

SASHA
Do you realize what you are
asking? The family will tear
me apart!

CHERTKOV
This from a woman whose
strong will and dedication
are admired by all who count
in this matter? Think of the
sacrifices your father has
been practicing all these
years! Has he not renounced
all worldly goods? Should he
go to his grave knowing that
his humanitarian ideas will
line the pockets of people
who scorn his moral values?


CORRIDOR

Sonya is creeping toward the door.


LEO'S STUDY

CHERTKOV
(to Sasha)
You, as the beneficiary, will
continue your father's work
by releasing it into the public
domain and I will be at your
side to guide you in the process.


CORRIDOR

Ear pressed to the door, Sonya listens. It is obvious that she cannot hear properly. As her frustration grows, she bursts into the room.


LEO'S STUDY

SONYA
What are you talking about?
Is this another plot against
me?

Frightened, Leo clutches at his chest. Sasha throws her arms around him.

SASHA
What are you doing? Do you
want to kill him?

SONYA
(indicating
Chertkov)
This is between me and this man.

Chertkov stands up, while Sasha whisks Leo out of the room.

CHERTKOV
Countess?

SONYA
Where are the diaries and what
right do you have to keep them?

CHERTKOV
And what right have you to
interfere between master and
disciple?

SONYA
I'm asking you to return the
diaries and to stop driving a
wedge between husband and wife.

CHERTKOV
What are you afraid of, Sophia
Andreyevna? That I shall use
the diaries to unmask you? Had
I wanted to, I could have
ruined you and your family too,
The only thing that has stopped
me is my affection for Leo
Nikolayevich. Really, if I had
a wife like you, I would have
blown my brains out long time
ago or gone to America!

He exits and slams the door behind him.


INT. SONYA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Sonya is awakened by MUFFLED MOANS. She sits up and listens. The moans continue.

She slips out of bed and lights a candle.


CORRIDOR

Carrying the candleholder, Sonya follows the noise to Leo's bedroom. She opens the door to reveal:


LEO'S BEDROOM

Kneeling on the bed, Chertkov is sodomizing Leo. Fixing his eyes on Sonya, he laughs provocatively.

Sonya screams...


SONYA'S BEDROOM

...THE SCREAM CARRIES ON as Sonya wakes up with a start. She sits up, panting, and listens to the silence.


LEO'S BEDROOM

A BEAM OF LIGHT UNDER THE DOOR.

The door opens revealing Sonya clutching a candleholder.

She stands on the threshold, inquisitively looking at her sleeping husband.

Silently, she closes the door. SOUND OF RETREATING STEPS.


EXT. COURTYARD - DAY

A carriage stops in front of the house, spilling out Leo Junior and his luggage.

Sonya exits the house and throws herself into her son's arms.


INT. SALON - NIGHT

Leisurely sipping tea are Leo, Leo. Jr., Sonya, Sasha, Varya, Dr. Makovitsky, Bulgakov and Goldenweiser.

LEO
I don't believe in madness
nor do I excuse it. At the
heart of every insane case
there is extreme egocentrism.
People who are considered
mad simply don't understand
the needs of anybody except
their own.

SONYA
Could we change the subject?

LEO
Why?

SONYA
Just change the subject, please.

LEO
We are just discussing my
article.

SONYA
It bothers me and you know it.

LEO
Perhaps you see an allusion to
yourself in it?

General tension. Leo Jr. questioningly looks from one parent to another.

LEO JR.
What is this?

SONYA
They all think I'm mad. And
it's true. Your father is
driving me mad. But before
I sink into madness for good,
I must tell the truth. Leo
Nikolayevich has an unnatural
relationship with Chertkov!
(to Leo)
Don't deny it! The tendency
has always been there. I
remember that passage in your
diary fifty years ago. Dyakov
was his name, wasn't it?

General consternation. Leo rises from his seat.

LEO
Get out! Get out of my house!

SONYA
It is my house now.

A pause.

Leo stomps out of the room, followed by Dr. Makovitsky and Sasha.

Just as she is about to leave the room, Sasha returns to the table and spits in her mother's face.


INT. LEO'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Leo is stretched out on the bed, while Dr. Makovitsky checks his pulse and Sasha wrings a cold compress into the washbasin.

DR. MAKOVITSKY
The pulse is very uneven.

LEO
Tell her that if she meant to
kill me, she is succeeding.
Sasha...

SASHA
Yes, papenka?

LEO
Everything... My writings,
personal papers, translations,
letters and diaries,
everything ever written by
me goes to you. And I mean
everything, including the
copyrights your mother has
been managing.

SASHA
I'll make myself worthy of it,
Papa.

LEO
And one more thing. Promise
me that after your mother's
death you will buy this house
and land from your siblings and
turn it over to the peasants.


INT. SONYA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Sonya, dressed in her nightshirt, eyes red from weeping, circles the room.

She kneels in front of an icon and prays.


LEO'S BEDROOM

Leo is staring at the ceiling.

CREAKING OF THE FLOOR PLANKS AS SOMEONE APPROACHES. A LIGHT KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

SONYA (O.S.)
Lyovochka? Are you asleep?

LEO
Go away!

The door handle CLICKS AND RATTLES. The room is locked.


SONYA (O.S.)
Lyovochka you must forgive me!

Leo pulls the bedcover over his head. Sonya keeps rattling the door handle.

SONYA (O.S.)
Lyovochka, my love, I did
not mean to anger you. But
what else can I think if
you behave like you do?
Open the door and tell me
none of what I said is true!
Return the diaries and I'll
believe you! -- Leo?
Lyovochka? Why don't you
speak to me?-- Leo? Speak to
me! I'm kneeling in front of
your door, Leo! Kneeling,
begging! Say that Chertkov
means nothing to you! Say
that the diaries belong with
your family!

MORE RATTLING OF THE DOOR.

LEO
You'll get nothing from me,
nothing! Go away, woman! Go!
Disappear!

SONYA (O.S.)
So you are driving me away?
Out of my home? I'm going then,
never to come back. I'll die
out there like a dog. Like
a dog!


INT. GUEST ROOM - NIGHT

The door is open. Standing at the threshold, Dr. Makovitsky is holding a lantern, while Leo is bending over his son's bed. Both are wearing their nightshirts.

LEO
Lyova! Lyova, wake up!

LEO JR.
Father? What is it?

LEO
Your mother has left the house.
It's been more than an hour now.

LEO JR.
Left? Why?

LEO
She is out there on the lawn.
I want you and Dushan to bring
her back.


EXT. AN OVERHEAD SHOT OF THE HOUSE - NIGHT

The windows project rectangles of light on the lawn, where Sonya, clad in a nightshirt, is stretched out on her stomach, her arms apart as if nailed to a cross.

A LIGHT MOVES ACROSS THE LAWN as Leo Jr. and Dr. Makovitsky approach the prostrate white form.

Leo Jr. squats at her side. A discussion follows. Both men clutch Sonya's arms and pull her up. She fights them off fiercely and stretches out on the grass again.

Leo Jr. reasons with her. Another attempt at pulling her to her feet, another fight with the same result.

The men retrace their steps.


LEO'S BEDROOM

LEO JR.
She is not coming back unless
you go out there and ask her
to return. She says you have
put her out like a dog.

LEO
No, you go back. Don't leave
her alone!

LEO JR.
She wants you to come. Damn
it, papa, how can you stay in
bed while your wife is out
there, shivering with cold on
the wet grass? Don't you think
it's time to admit some
responsibility for the state
she is in? You'll go to her
even if I have to drag you!


HALL

The household is watching as Sonya, wrapped in a blanket, is being led home by Leo, his arm around her shoulders. Despite her bedraggled state, she displays a victorious grin.


EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

Bulgakov, striding on the road with his briefcase is overtaken by a carriage.

The carriage stops. A smiling Sonya leans out.

SONYA
Valentin Fyodorovich, are
you going to Telyatinki?

BULGAKOV
Why, yes, Sophia Andreyevna.

SONYA
In that case, may I offer you
a ride?

BULGAKOV
(lack of enthusiasm)
I...that is...Yes, thank you.


INSIDE THE CARRIAGE

Bulgakov wedges himself into the corner, the briefcase protectively locked in his arms.

BULGAKOV
Are you going to Telyatinki
as well?

SONYA
I'm taking tea with Mrs.
Chertkov.

BULGAKOV
She is a very gracious lady.
That is... as far as I know.

SONYA
She is my only hope.

Bulgakov watches with profound dismay as Sonya's carefully constructed façade crumbles: her shoulders sagging, tears rolling down her cheeks.

SONYA
Help me. Please, help me!


INT. SALON AT YASNAYA POLYANA

Tanya, Leo Jr. and SERGEY (47).

LEO JR.
Well, that's the situation in
a nutshell and now it's your
turn to take over. Try to
persuade father to give her the
diaries because that's the only
way to calm her. I'm not sure
how much abuse she can take
before her mind caves in.

TANYA
She needs to see a specialist.
This is more than a simple
case of weak nerves.

LEO JR.
Nonsense. Mama's health is
fine. It's father who has gone
into a second childhood. He is
completely under the influence
of Chertkov. That scoundrel
has built a royalty-free
publishing house on the old
fool's back.

SERGEY
Still, accusing father of
homosexuality!

LEO JR.
Right, that was over the top.
They are killing each other
with slow torture. I don't
know what to do except to
separate them for a while.

The door lets in a servant with Leo Jr.'s coat and hat.

LEO JR.
Is it time?

The servant nods.

LEO JR.
Got to catch the train.

He slips into his coat.

LEO JR.
Andrey received my telegram.
He is coming soon. So is Ilya.
As for Misha, don't count on
him. Too selfish to get
involved.
(to Tanya)
Well, good-bye, soldier!
I know you'll do your best.


INSIDE THE CARRIAGE

The briefcase is discarded on the floor.

Sonya leans against Bulgakov, clutching his hand.

SONYA
Thirteen children and only
seven left to me. The worst
was Vanyechka. Such a bright
boy, exactly like his father!
I was mad with grief. And, only
recently, Masha died. A short
illness and she was gone.
Gone forever.
(weeps)
We had a rich life. Rich in
sorrows, rich in work. Do
you know that I copied
seven versions of War and
Peace? Two million words! With
the children and the estate
to take care of all by myself!
You know Leo Nikolayevich.
He is brilliant but so
impractical! It was a great
shock for me when he turned
to sainthood. It's all
right for him to renounce his
wealth but he still comes
and says, give me money for
this and money for that. It
does not occur to him that
the money has to come from
somewhere. We had many
disagreements over it. It's
all in the diaries. Our
whole life with its ups and
downs. And a great love. Yes,
a great love!

She blows her nose and squeezes Bulgakov's hand. Bulgakov himself is on the verge of crying.

SONYA
You will not fail me, Valya,
will you?

BULGAKOV
Of course not, Sophia
Andreyevna.

SONYA
I used to be the person who
kept the diaries. Tell
Chertkov that if he gives
them back to me, I'll grow
calm again. I will like him
again and he can come to see
us as he used to and we will
work together to serve Leo
Nikolayevich. Will you tell
him? For the love of God,
will you tell him?

Bulgakov swallows tears and nods.

SONYA
Let him copy them all, every
word! But at least, let him
give back my husband's
original manuscripts to me.
Promise me you'll tell him!

BULGAKOV
I'll do the impossible, Sophia
Andreyevna.

Sonya takes his hands into hers and covers them with kisses. Bulgakov is now weeping openly.


EXT. TELYATINKY FARM

The carriage is turning into the courtyard.


INSIDE THE CARRIAGE

Sonya quickly puts on a brave face, drying her eyes, patting her clothes. She includes Bulgakov in the general clean up by wiping his wet cheeks. She squeezes his hands for courage.


INT. CHERTKOV'S OFFICE

Bulgakov, Chertkov.

CHERTKOV
I'm told that you have
hitch-hiked a ride with Sophia
Andreyevna.

BULGAKOV
She offered it to me. She also
entrusted me with a commission.
(passionately)
Vladimir Grigorievich, I
beseech you to give in to her
wishes. It is wrong to torture
an sick old woman. The return
of the diaries will bring peace
to Yasnaya Polyana. Think of
Leo Nikolayevich and the hassle
he is going through!

CHERTKOV
(fuming)
Do you mean to say that you
came straight out and told her
where the diaries were?

BULGAKOV
No, I couldn't tell her
anything because I don't know
where the diaries are.

CHERTKOV
(spitefully)
Oh, now that's wonderful!

He strides toward the door and opens it.

CHERTKOV
Please, go now!


EXT. VERANDA AT TELYATINKI

A formal tea is spread on a wicker table, where Mrs. Chertkov is pouring a cup for Sonya.

MRS. CHERTKOV
As far as I understand it,
your husband entrusted the
diaries to my son voluntarily.

She hands the cup to Sonya, who discards it on the table more from distraction than on purpose.

SONYA
My husband is an aged man. His
decisions are no longer wise.

MRS. CHERTKOV
It is not up to me to decide
who is wise and who is not.
The reason for my invitation
was to discuss a more pressing
point. It has been brought to
my attention that you are
spreading a most disgusting
rumor about my son and your
husband. Countess, my son is
a good man. He does not
deserve such acute hostility
from you. You understand that
under the circumstances, I
shall not consider helping
you in any matter whatsoever!


INT. LEO'S STUDY - NIGHT

Leo is in a hushed conversation with Goldenweiser.

LEO
I'm sorry. I'm very sorry, but
under the circumstances - with
Sonya on hunger strike and
the family milling around the
house - I can't have him here
and I don't dare to visit
Telyatinki. God knows what
would happen if she hears
about it.

GOLDENWEISER
Still, Vladimir Grigorievich
would prefer to settle the
problem as soon as possible.

LEO
What exactly is wrong with the
will?

GOLDENWEISER
Just a few words but they must
be written in your own hand.
In fact, there is no need for
you and Vladimir Grigorievich
to meet. I could bring two
reliable witnesses.

LEO
All right, but not here. Let's
keep it out of this house.


EXT. MEADOW NEAR A FOREST - DAY

SOUND OF A GALLOPING HORSE precedes Leo's appearance. He reins in and waits, his patriarchal beard flying in the strong breeze.

Three somber riders: Goldenweiser, SERGEYENKO (24), RADINSKY (20), approach from the opposite direction.

A short silence follows their meeting. Leo nervously scans the horizon.

LEO
Let's not stay here in the
open.


CLEARANCE IN THE FOREST

The cloak-and-dagger riding party reaches the clearance. They ride about in circles, indecisive.

GOLDENWEISER
That tree stump over there.
What do you say?

They dismount. Leo installs himself on the stump while Goldenberger unpacks a writing pad, an ink bottle and a pen.

LEO
Let's get this over.


INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Leo, Tanya and Sergey are lingering in front of Sonya's bedroom. A maid carrying a tray exits the room.

LEO
Did she eat her breakfast?

The maid shakes her head and shows him the untouched food.

SERGEY
Third day without food. You
are going too far, Papa!

Leo's eyes seek Tanya. She shakes her head disapprovingly.

With a nod, Leo acknowledges his defeat.


INT. CHERTKOV'S OFFICE - DAY

A gloomy Sasha -- accompanied by Varya -- is handing a note to Chertkov.

SASHA
It has come to that!

As Chertkov scans the note, his face hardens.

He strides out, followed by the two women.


INT. THE TOLSTOY FACTORY

It is a large room with bookshelves containing files, publications and Tolstoy memorabilia. The walls are hung with photographs and multi-language posters picturing Leo in various poses: reading to peasant children, making shoes, building haystacks, harvesting wheat.

On a long table in the center, piles of pamphlets are awaiting expedition. Several typewriters are in action. STAFF, both male and female, are stuffing and addressing envelopes.

Chertkov enters, followed by Sasha and Varya. He unlocks a cupboard and retrieves a pile of notebooks.

CHERTKOV
Listen all! As you know,
there's been a controversy
concerning the custody of
Master's diaries. Unfortu-
nately, worn out as he is by
his wife's hysteria, he has
given in to her demands.
It means that should the
diaries fall into Countess
Tolstoy's hands, they would
be heavily edited to
safeguard her reputation.
It is our duty to future
generations to preserve
Master's thoughts intact.

He begins to distribute the notebooks.

CHERTKOV
Let's all sit down and sift
through the text. Any
complaints and derogatory
remarks involving the
countess must be copied and
archived. If we apply
ourselves, we will be done
by sundown.

A flurry of activity and scrapings of chairs as the staff
settle down to the task.

Chertkov indicates a chair to Sasha.

CHERTKOV
Won't you join us, Alexandra
Lvovna?

After a short hesitation, Sasha accepts the invitation. Both she and Varya join in the effort.


EXT. VERANDA AT YASNAYA POLYANA - SUNSET

Lounging at the table, are ILYA (44), Sergey, Tanya and Sukhotin.

SERGEY
Doctor Rossolino? Never heard
of him.

SUKHOTIN
Professor Rossolino. Moscow
Medical School. The best.

ILYA
Two specialists at the same
time! Don't you think you are
overdoing it? Mama is not that
ill.

TANYA
A second opinion is important.

Ilya consults his watch.

ILYA
What is taking the girls so
long? And where is mama?


EXT. ATTIC WINDOW

Sonya peers out through a pair of binoculars.


Sonya's POV: ROAD LEADING TO YASNAYA POLYANA

A carriage appears on the road and speeds toward the gate.


COURTYARD

Sasha and Varya are stepping out of the carriage. Both are carrying parcels wrapped in paper.

Sonya shoots through the door and grabs the packages.

SASHA
Mama, you have no right!


HALL

Clutching the parcels in her arms, Sonya begins mounting the steps with Sasha at her heels.

Sasha grabs hold of Sonya's skirt and pulls her back.

Sonya grabs at the rail to steady herself, dropping the parcels.

The notebooks spill out of the torn paper.

Two pairs of eager hands fight for the diaries.

SASHA
Mama, stop it this minute!

Sonya gives her a mighty push and gathers the diaries to her breast.

SASHA
(yelling)
Tanya! Sergey! Come quick!


SALON

Sergey is rewrapping the diaries, while the other children cluster around Sonya's chair.

Sonya is confused, appears not to understand.

TANYA
Mama, that was the deal! We
are supposed to take them to
the bank first thing in the
morning.

SONYA
And the strongbox key? You
must give me the key!

SASHA
For God sake, Mama! Don't
you understand? Papa has made
it clear enough. He will keep
the key. He, and he alone!

ILYA
Sasha, shut up! I won't have
you shouting at mother!

SONYA
Why can't I keep the key? I
want the key! What good is
there in having the diaries
if I cannot keep the key?

She looks beseechingly at her sons.

SONYA
Seryozha? Ilya?

The brothers sigh and shrug their shoulders.

Sonya slowly rises from her chair and wordlessly exits the room.

A long, guilty silence.


CORRIDOR

Leo emerges from his study with Sonya at his heels.

LEO
I can't. I can't. This is my
last sacrifice.

Sonya falls on her knees, her hands clutching Leo's legs.

SONYA
This is my last request!
Give me the key! Give me
the authorization to take
the diaries! I don't believe
that you won't return them
to Chertkov.

Leo succeeds in freeing himself and escapes downstairs. Sonya leans over the handrail.

SONYA
Why was I not allowed to see
the diaries? What plots
have you kept from me? Have
you written a secret will?
(to herself)
My God, that's it! That's
what it is about!


STAIRCASE

Leo is visibly shaking. As he nears the last steps, his legs give way. He lowers himself to sit.

SONYA (O.S.)
(screaming)
Leo!

Leo winces.

SONYA (O.S.)
Leo, I have drunk a whole
vial of opium!


CORRIDOR

Leo is rushing toward Sonya, who stands in the door of her bedroom.

SONYA
I said that to punish you.
I didn't drink it.


CORRIDOR - LATER

Sasha, seething with rage, strides toward Sonya's bedroom. She opens the door and shouts:

SASHA
He says that if you don't stop
tormenting him, he will leave.
Why him? Why not you? Why not?

She slams the door and returns.


EXT. RAILWAY STATION - DAY

Sonya nervously paces along the platform, unaware of the curious looks her vacant expression elicits from the waiting PASSENGERS.

A WHISTLE OF AN APPROACHING TRAIN.

Sonya's stare is fixed on the rails. She steps to the edge of the platform...

The locomotive enters the station...

With a SCREECH OF BRAKES, tons of metal are careening closer and closer...

The rails...

Sonya's tense face...

She jerks back as the iron mastodon lumbers past her.

Still under the shock of what could have been, she stands frozen while the train comes to a halt and the passengers begin to step down, Andrey among them.

ANDREY
Mama?
(noticing her
suitcase)
Are you going somewhere?
(suddenly uneasy)
Mama, what are you doing here?

SONYA
I don't know.

ANDREY
Oh, my God.
(solicitous)
Come! Come home!


(CONTINUED)