The Death of Stalin Page #4

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No smiling now. Some of the musicians start clapping, then

the audience, security guards, a very relieved nervous man,

everyone. It's a huge standing ovation, though you can just

make out someone dry-heaving. When it dies we hear Maria...

MARIA:

I'm not going to do it.

MUSICIAN 1

You cow hole b*tch.

CUT TO:

18 EXT. MOSCOW STREETS/INT. CAR - NIGHT 18

The cars from Stalin's dacha fanning out from the main car

and off on different routes across the city.

We see the list from the dacha in the hand of Delov.

We stay with one car as it passes several black militarystyle

trucks and vans. NKVD men in the truck.

CUT TO:

19 EXT. MOSCOW STREETS - NIGHT 19

Black marias pull up. NKVD men and Delov get out and start

fanning out towards the apartment blocks.

20 EXT. APARTMENT BLOCK - NIGHT 20

Pan across windows. Despite terrible noises from below, not

one light goes on. We think we see a slight stir in the dark

at one window.

21 INT. CONCERT HALL - AUDITORIUM/DIRECTOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT 21

Andreyev hurries Maria up the concert hall and into his

office. The conductor follows them in. Through the office

window, we can see the orchestra and audience watching.

ANDREYEV:

You, Joan of Arc, you want to get

killed?

MARIA:

Oh, like my father “got killed”? My

brother? Like THAT?

He sits her down in a chair.

20 May 2016 Draft 10 9.

ANDREYEV:

You want a family reunion in the

mortuary?!

The Conductor is in the background looking unwell.

MARIA:

I won't do it. You can't force me.

ANDREYEV:

(to the conductor)

Should we get another pianist?

CONDUCTOR:

No, that's ridiculous. The sound

would be entirely different. Even

Stalin could...

MARIA:

“Even”.

CONDUCTOR:

(frozen in fear)

No... I meant...

MARIA:

Even STALIN? Is this office bugged?

ANDREYEV:

(trying to help out)

Of course Comrade Stalin will be

able to tell the difference. He's a

great man, with a great ear for

music.

CONDUCTOR:

Two great ears.

ANDREYEV:

The two greatest ears in the Soviet

Union.

Andreyev comes close to Maria, takes her hands, pleading.

ANDREYEV (CONT’D)

Maria Viniaminovna...

MARIA:

(of her fingers)

Don’t crush the little workers.

He lets go.

ANDREYEV:

You have to play.

20 May 2016 Draft 10 10.

CONDUCTOR:

(to the unseen bug)

I didn't mean what I said...

MARIA:

(to Conductor)

So you said it then.

(to Andreyev)

As God is my witness, I won't do

it. The Lord will see me through.

ANDREYEV:

10000 roubles.

MARIA:

20000.

ANDREYEV:

Done.

Andreyev hurries Maria out into the corridor, followed by the

conductor – who faints, banging his head on a sand bucket.

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