EXT. COUNTRY - BREAK OF DAWN Anya is walking ahead with Vladiair as Dmitri follows he's still muddy, wet and unhappy. VLADIMIR No have a lot of work to do, Anya! Come along, Meetoo! Meetoo is trying to catch fire flies in his mouth. VLADIMIR (CONT.) We have to prepare you for an audience with Sophie. ANYA Who's Sophie? VLADIMIR (lost in warm memories) Ah ... the Lady Sophie... The ravishing first cousin, once removed, from the Empress. We must convince Sophie that you are the Princess before we'll be granted a meeting with the Empress ... your grandmother, I mean. Anya stops dead in her tracks, this is the first she's heard of this. ANYA What?! Dmitri, not paying attention, slams into the back of Anya. Anya, not hurt, turns to Dmitri - who is rubbing his now sore shoulder. ANYA (CONT.) You never said anything to me about having to prove I'm a Princess! DMITRI You are the Princess. VLADIMIR We're just going to refresh your memory... ANYA I don't have a memory and I'm not a Princess! (looks down at herself) Even if I were - no one's ever going to believe it. I'm not exactly... Anya searches for the -word as she sits down next to a frozen pond. ANYA (CONT.) (sadly to herself) ... good enough... (to others) I can't go through with this! Dmitri sits next to Anya and looks at her reflection in the ice. DMITRI What do you see? ANYA'S POV her smudged face and boy's clothes. Dmitri's hands come into frame, wipe off her face with snow and them pull her hair off her face. Anya does, truly, look pretty. DMITRI(CONT.) See? The Princess is under there ... VLADIMIR Ah! Let us begin! A POSSIBLE VLADIMIR SONG Vladimir would begin to sing here, telling Anya that she has a lot to learn. The music would probably have a LIGHT, SOMEWHAT COMEDIC tone, and would be just a SHORT SECTION OF SINGING, which would then SEGUE TO UNDERSCORE for the scenes of instruction which follow. We see the three of them from behind, walking down a road - Meetoo trots behind them, happily. VLADIMIR (CONT.) You were born on the Adriatic sea at the summer palace, where the parties and the buffets were marvelous .... EXT. SLEIGH - DAY Vladimir is putting icicles in Anya's hair to keep it up in a bun - she looks sweet, despite her boy's clothes. She is reciting something to Dmitri. ANYA ...and on my father's side, there was [THIS SECTION IS NOT LEDGABLE] Anya thinks as Dmitri looks at a long sheet of paper, prompting her. DMITRI Every Russian family has one.. ANYA (gets it) Natasha! Natasha Feastavich!- but we called her Nashie Fooshie! VLADIMIR Did I tell you that? ANYA You must have. EXT. PIG CART - DAY Anya, Dmitri and Vladimir are sitting in the back of a pig cart traveling down a country road. The pigs are very interested as Anya is pointing to different pieces of hay which "set" her imaginary table. ANYA (repeating) ...fish fork, salad fork, meat fork and. . . (can't remember, then exasperated) [THIS SECTION ALSO NOT LEDGABLE] DMITRI (hinting) It's the best fork of all ANYA The dessert fork! VLADIMIR (lost in a memory of rich desserts) Ah, yes ... I have always loved that fork... Dmitri and Anya exchange a look and then laugh, adding ad libs of "we can tell" and "There's a fork you should have skipped". This is the first time Dmitri and Anya have laughed together - actually the first time he's ever seen her smile. EXT. PORT - DAY Dmitri, who is sneaking around, pulling women's clothes out of a suitcase that clearly isn't theirs! He takes out a large, but pretty dress, a beautiful veil - and a huge brassiere, which he quickly stuffs back in the suitcase - somewhat frightened. He takes the dress and veil puts it in his backpack and joins Vladimir and Anya as they admire the ship. ANYA What a beautiful ship! DMITRI It used to be a private yacht before the government took it over. VLADIMIR Oh, yes it was the seagoing vessel of elaborate elegance in entertaining... (looks at Dmitri and Anya explaining) A party boat. It once belonged to ... Vladimir honestly can't remember, Anya thinks it's another quiz. ANYA Konstantin Petrovich of Moscow! Dmitri and Vladimir exchange a quizzical look. No one told her that... Meetoo spots TWO UGLY PUG DOGS and a distinguished ELDERLY DOWAGER. He runs happily to play with them. She pulls her DOGS away from Meetoo. ELDERLY DOWAGER No, no, boys! You don't know where he's been! They give him a disgusted look and walk away. Meetoo looks a little hurt. INT. HALLWAY OF THE SHIP - NIGHT Dmitri and Vladimir are standing by a closed door. Anya is on the other side. ANYA (0. C.) No! I look ridiculous! VLADIMIR Come out! I can do alterations. ANYA (O.C.) You'll laugh. VLADIMIR I shant! ANYA (O.C.) Not you. Him. DMITRI I won't laugh - I swear... The door opens and Anya comes out in the blue dress Dmitri stole which at least ten sizes too big for her. She is still wearing her hair up and despite the size which actually gives her a "Kate Moss" waifish look with her men's boots and baggy dress - the blue brings out her eyes. Dmitri sees her and BUSTS OUT LAUGHING. ANYA You said you wouldn't laugh! DMITRI It's not you - it's the dress! Anya storms back into the cabin and slam the door behind her. INT. CABIN - SIMULTANEOUS ACTION When Anya storms into the cabin, she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror. ANYA (to herself) I'm never going to be.. Just then, the slamming door catches the back of her dress, pulling more than half of it into the door frame. She sees in the mirror that the now fitted dress shows a lovely woman's figure. Pleased, she looks at herself. ANYA (CONT.) Well! Maybe I am... EXT. CABIN DOOR - NIGHT Vladimir and Dmitri wait outside the door. The door opens and Anya appears, having tied the veil around the waist of the dress, making it look fitted and beautiful. Dmitri and Vladimir are surprised as Anya walks past them with confidence and throws them a look over her shoulder. "REPRISE OF VLADIMIR'S SONG (OVER MONTAGE) The tone of the song would now change - - the older, wiser person watching as two younger people are unwittingly falling in love. The tone can still be light, as are the visuals here, but there would be an undercurrent of irony and romance. The song would end as Anya and Dmitri have their first, momentary embrace. MONTAGE: (MOS) ON DECK: Anya, still in her boots, walks gracefully down the deck in spite of the ship's rocking motion. Dmitri and Vlad can't even stand due to the motion. Anya looks back and flashes them a smile. IN THEIR CABIN: Dmitri gets out of the bed he's been sharing with Vlad and walks over, past where Anya is sleeping peacefully, to close the port hole against a cold wind. He closes is and see's Anya - she looks beautiful - he bends down to pull up her covers and she SLUGS him. UNDER A TABLE: Meetoo is walking around sniffing feet. Suddenly, he runs smack into the TWO UGLY PUG DOGS who growl at him. He runs away and finally see's a woman's foot and a pair of pretty feminine shoes, with heels, that she has kicked off. Meetoo grabs them in his mouth and runs. ON DECK: The sea is calm, but Anya - wearing the heeled shoes for the first time - is teetering and wobbling like mad. Dmitri and Vlad watch her with amusement. Anya turns to them. ON DECK: Dmitri has stuffed his feet into the woman's shoes and is barely able to walk as Anya watches him with great vindication. BALLROOM: Anya walks -into the ballroom, steady and graceful in her new shoes, on Vladimir's arm and completes a perfect curtsy in front of Dmitri. Dmitri applauds and moves down to her as she stands and smacks him with her head accidently. THEIR CABIN: Vladimir is directing Anya as she waltzes gracefully in their swaying cabin. Dmitri enters and is directed to join Anya. He does and they dance together, with Anya clearly leading. The boat sways to the left and Anya is thrown closer into Dmitri's arms. Neither of them even try to readjust. END MONTAGE STILL IN THE SCENE Vladimir walks over to Anya and nervously chatters (he knows he interrupted something) as he leads her away from Dmitri. VLADIMIR You are a natural! I don't know how you ever learned to dance that well! That must have been some high class orphanage ... EXT. SEA - NIGHT As a storm begins to whip up, the wind starts to howl and the waves become more violent. REVERSE ANGLE just as a BOLT OF LIGHTNING STRIKES the water, we see Rasputin's face. INT. CABIN - NIGHT The storm is pitching the boat wildly. Vladimir is sleeping, snoring loudly. Meetoo, sound asleep, is sliding from side of the cabin to the other. Anya is looking out the small port hole at the violent sea when Dmitri, carrying his back pack, sits on the bed next to her. DMITRI I wanted to show you something. Dmitri takes out the music box and hands it to Anya. She is immediately taken by it, something about it ... ANYA It's so beautiful ... and sad. DMITRI Sad? ANYA Lost. it feels lost. This was hers? DMITRI Yeah ... well, yours. You still don't believe that you're the Princess, do you? ANYA I know I must have had something to do with the palace - I've had little flashes of things - but being the Princess? It doesn't matter as long as I find my home. DMITRI Well, the only thing you've got when you've got a home is a fear of losing it! You're lucky you don't remember the revolution -- I never had much, but what I did have -- I lost. ANYA I'm sorry. DMITRI (false bravado) Hey! It doesn't matter! You gotta make your own way in the world! Don't be sorry for me! I'm going to get what I want don't you worry! Dmitri goes back over to his bed. Anya sees through him and knows how much it all did matter to him. EXT. SEA CLIFF - NIGHT The wagon sits on the edge of a high cliff. Rasputin stands on the top of his wagon, staring at the sea demonically. The jagged bolts of lightening and the icy silver rain make him look all the more menacing. RASPUTIN (low, slow) She's out there ... The wind parts his beard and we see Bartok hanging upside down in it, trying to stay out of the storm. BARTOK I'm getting a chest cold.. RASPUTIN Bartok... a question. BARTOK I'm getting pneumonia. I have a fever. Feel my forehead... RASPUTIN What do you think is the most humiliating way to die? Rasputin's eyes light up as if he just thought of the answer to his own question. Bartok is thrown out of his beard when he makes a sudden turn and leaps off the wagon. Bartok follows. BARTOK My cousin Mischa, nice fellow had some dental problems - you didn't want to watch him eat, let's put it that way... Rasputin steps in INT. WAGON - NIGHT As Bartok continues, Rasputin moves to the reliquary's cabinet. BARTOK ... anyway, a bunch of other bats were hanging in the belfry - I know, cliche, but there you have it, and Mischa, not the brightest bat in the world, decides to hang in the bell. Which was fine for awhile until it started ringing ... (shivers) Ewwww, what a mess ... RASPUTTN (to reliquary) Show her to me ... BARTOK And it didn't help the tonal quality of the bell, either. IMAGES, horrifying and frightening, begin to spin into a small tornado. Rasputin throws open the door and the TORNADO bursts out streaking across the water. EXT. SEA CLIFF - NIGHT Rasputin follows tornado to the cliff and watches as it disappears into the horizon of the water. Lightning and thunder crash as he laughs maniacally. INT. CABIN - NIGHT which is swaying with the storm. PAN past Vladimir, snoring, his now limp mustache flopping wildly and past Dmitri, sleeping restlessly. Move to Anya, who seems quite content. From under the door SMOKY IMAGES silently slither. They float across the cabin and swirl around Anya. CLOSE ON: Anya's CLOSED EYES as the SMOKY IMAGES seem to enter her head. She smiles in her sleep and we are in ANYA'S DREAM. . . EXT. FOREST - DAY Anya, in a beautiful white dress, is walking peacefully through a sunny part of a lovely forest on a spring day. She reaches down to pick some pretty flowers, then looks up as it seems to get dark... OMINOUS LOOKING CLOUDS cover the sun. Anya reaches down for another flower when she HEARS A GROWL. Anya spins to see an ENORMOUS BEAR emerge from the trees. (All the animals in the dream sequence have a SLIGHT resemblance to Rasputin.) Anya is frozen with fear as MORE BEARS emerge and head straight for her. She tries to back away as the beautiful FLOWERS GROW LONG AND HORRIBLE THORNS and wrap around her ankles, impeding her escape. It gets darker as the BEAR'S EYES, glowing yellow, multiply and move closer. Anya pulls free of the flowers and rushes to the safety of a large tree She climbs the tree and escapesthe bears. Looking down, from her perch on a sturdy branch, the ground seems miles away. Suddenly, the BRANCH JOLTS her and almost falling, she hold on to it tightly. But the branch TURNS IN TOWARD HER - no longer a tree branch, but A HUGE UGLY SNAKE with red eyes and huge fangs that come right for her! Anya leaps to another branch, which also turns into a snake. She jolts backward and begins to fall ... toward a HUNDRED YELLOW EYES, FIFTY BLOOD RED MOUTHS AND THOUSANDS OF SHARP TEETH. As Anya falls, she lets out a SILENT SCREAM. A BURST OF SUNLIGHT as Anya lands in a field of soft GOLDEN WHEAT. Unharmed and very relieved, she stands and looks around at the beautiful sunny wheat field. INT. CABIN Reality. Anya's eyes are closed as she smiles in her sleep and sits up in bed. TINY WISPS of smoke still swirl around her head. As she gets out of bed, she unintentionally steps on Meetoo's tail, waking him. Meetoo watches as the sleeping Anya opens the cabin door and walks out. Meetoo rises to follow Anya but the ship pitches, sending him sliding across the cabin floor. EXT. DECK - NIGHT Anya walks out on the deck, the ship pitching violently in the storm, as she smiles. IN HER DREAM Anya is walking through the wheat field to the edge of a BLUFF. A few yards below the bluff, Anya sees a beautiful little pond where a FAMILY frolic's in the clear water; laughing, splashing, swiming happily. Anya climbs over a low flowering wall to look closer. PULL BACK REALITY: Anya has climbed over the railing of the deck and is looking into the black ocean... smiling. DISSOLVE TO: A SMOKY IMAGE OF THE SAME SCENE It's RASPUTIN'S POV as he watches his plan unfold in the reliquary. INT. CABIN Meetoo finally rights himself from his slide across the floor and begins to bark into Dmitri's ear. EXT. DECK Anya is waving happily at the dangerous water. IN HER DREAM Anya is waving to the FAMILY. They turn around toward her and she sees that it's the ROMONOV FAMILY, from the frieze that she saw in the palace. She is delighted to see them as she feels a distance recollection of who they are to her. INT. CABIN Meetoo jumps up and NIPS at Dmitri's hand. Dmitri leaps up with an "owwww!" and looks over at the excited Meetoo. DMITRI If you have to go - wake her.. Dmitri looks over to Anya's bed - she isn't sits up and throws his legs over the side EXT. DECK Anya is standing right on the edge of death... IN HER DREAM She isn't there. He of his bed. the FAMILY is waving to her. NICHOLAS waves for her to jump into the clear pond and join them. Anya nods and moves to jump in... EXT. DECK Anya gets ready to jump into the violent and icy black waves. She takes one step out when... DMITRI GRABS HER SHOULDERS. Anya JOLTS awake from her dream. Confused at first, then terrified to see what almost happened to her. isn't lifts her to the other side of the railing and looks at her. DMITRI What were you doing?! Anya puts her hands to her mouth in shock, shaking and almost crying with fear, she throws her arms around Dmitri and holds him tightly. Dmitri is surprised at first, but tightens his arms around her. DMITRI (CONT.) It's okay now - I've got you. You're safe... They stand steady on the deck in a tight embrace, their feelings for each other are stronger than the storm. DISSOLVE TO: THE SAME, as seen through the reliquary Rasputin watches ... seething quietly, as Bartok peeks meekly over his shoulder. BARTOK Boy, don't you hate it when that happens? RASPUTIN (controlling) She leads a charmed life, that little one ... Someone is always there to save her. In the palace as a child, on the train and now ... it's him. Rasputin studies Dmitri in the reliquary - Dmitri and Anya still in a warm embrace. BARTOK Nice looking fellow. I mean, don't get me wrong - I'm not attracted to him in the physical sense, I just ... But Rasputin's not interested, he stares into the reliquary and speaks directly to it. RASPUTIN You are toying with me, aren't you? You let me get so close... The reliquary, as if in answer, seem to be chuckling. Rasputin smiles and joins in with it. RASPUTIN (CONT.) Bartok ... have you ever been to Paris? BARTOK Me? No. Rich food - it kills me. Ever try and fly after one of those heavy sauces? Rasputin returns the reliquary to its cabinet. RASPUTIN We are going to Paris - and while we're there, let's kill the young man. He annoys me. EXT. BOAT DOCK (LA HAVRE) - DAY As Anya walks down the plank her dress gets caught on a nail. Dmitri is walking toward her as she yanks her dress free and accidentally punches him in the stomach. Dmitri takes it like a man. ANYA Oh! I'm sorry... DMITRI It's okay. Didn't hurt.. Vlad has been watching as he walks down the plank with Meetoo - they exchange an "oh boy" look, both noticing that clearly something is different between Anya and Dmitri. Anya catches something out of the corner of eye and turns quickly. CLOSE ON a sign: "Paris 30 kilometers" Anya walks away from Dmitri and over to the sign and looks at it longingly. ANYA (to herself) I'm almost there... I'm finally going to know... AT THE OTHER END OF THE DOCK Vladimir stares into his purse, depressed. DMITRI How is our current financial status? VLADIMIR If I used the word "bleak" I would be optimistic. As he says this the ELDERLY DOWAGER from the ship passes by with her TWO OBNOXIOUS PUG DOGS. Meetoo growls as Vlad and Dmitri get an idea. VLADIMIR (CONT.) The "Odessa Dunk"? DMITRI It worked in Odessa... Vladimir picks up Meetoo and whispers instructions. Meetoo likes the plan. NEW ANGLE as Meetoo races past the PUGS. They ignore him, so he stops and makes a face, giving them a sloppy "razzberry", which piques them a little. Meetoo then bends over and waves his furry little butt at them. Now the PUGS are offended and TAKE OFF after him, yapping all the way. Meetoo turns and scrambles with the Pugs in hot pursuit. As they get closer, Meetoo SUDDENLY STOPS and the Pugs go FLYING OFF they edge of the dock and into the water below. Meetoo looks over the edge and gives them a 'Boy, are you guys morons look as the ELDERLY DOWAGER runs up screaming. ELDERLY DOWAGER Help! My little dogs! Chevalier! Maurice! Hold on, darlings! Dmitri comes running up, a little too gallant. DMITRI I'll save them, Madame Dmitri dives into the water as Vlad rushes up behind the Elderly Dowager. Anya watches from a distance as Dmitri climbs out of the water carrying the soaked (and pissed) Pugs. VLADIMIR Such bravery! Why, that man should be rewarded! Amply rewarded! MINUTES LATER Dmitri hands Vlad a pile of FRANCS as Anya approaches. ANYA That was really very kind of you. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and walks away with Meetoo, who turns back and gives Dmitri a look. A little guilty, Dmitri turns to Vlad. VLADIMIR I won't say a word... EXT. GRAND OPEN CAR - DAY Traveling is style! Vladimir is driving - badly - with Meetoo in the front seat. Meetoo covers his eyes. Dmitri and Anya are in the open back seat, enjoying the beautiful French countryside. Dmitri looks over at Anya. DMITRI Nervous? ANYA Yes - If I can't convince Sophie, I'll never be able to see Tatiana.... DMITRI You'll convince her. You have the qualities of a princess you're poised and strong... and beautiful ... even if you forget a couple dates of family names - she'll know. Anya smiles at Dmitri, knowing that all the confidence she has is because of him. She takes his hand but looks away. EXT. TATIANA'S PARIS HOUSE - DAY They pull up in front of the beautiful white house. Anya is nervous as Vladimir walks up to the front door ahead of Dmitri and Anya. Vladimir knocks. Sophie answers the door. She moves with grace and regal poise. VLADIMIR May I present her Royal Highness Princess Anastasia! SOPHIE Oh good! We haven't seen an Anastasia in several days! Anya looks to Dmitri, a little confused by that last comment. Dmitri makes a little "she's slightly crazy" signal. They all leap to avoid her butt as she bustles into the house. INT. DRAWING ROOM - DAY Sophie, flanked by her sisters, sits at a table. Anya, looking nervous but poised, sits across while Dmitri and Vladimir hover nervously at the far end of the room. Sophie's PAT CAT, TILLIE, attempts to cuddle up next to Meetoo, who wants nothing to do with her. SOPHIE I'd just like to ask you a few questions, dear... Sophie opens a huge book that SLAMS open. Vlad and Dmitri jump. ANYA Of course. SOPHIE Where were you born? SCENE CONTINUES MOS TIME LAPSE MONTAGE Dmitri watches Anya answer questions gracefully and without hesitating. Anya smiles as her answers begin to surprise Sophie. DMITRI (V.0.) The real Anastasia couldn't have grown up to be lovelier. Sophie and the sisters look tired. Sophie has her last question. SOPHIE (almost giggling) This is the hard one ... what rare treat was served on the night of the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty? The last ball they ever had? Dmitri and Vladimir exchange a nervous look. It's obvious they never briefed Anya on this one. Anya thinks a moment, then looks up, smiling, as she remembers ... ANYA Father had fresh tropical fruits sent in. Oranges and pineapples from the far east. I remember ... I remember I threw an orange to a young boy who was hiding under a table... Dmitri is shocked. He know this is Anastasia Romonov and he can't believe it. SOPHIE (shocked) Yes ... yes, it was fresh fruit. Well, maybe not "fresh" Estelle got one rather brown banana but ... CLOSE ON Dmitri, as he stares at Anya as Sophie prattles on. MINUTES LATER Anya sits near the window, stroking Tillie ... much to the consternation of a jealous Meetoo., She looks out the window and sees Dmitri, deep in thought, wandering in the garden. OUT OF HER EARSHOT at the other end of the room, Vladimir speaks to Sophie. VLADIMIR Are you impressed with our Anastasia? SOPHIE Oh, heavens - I must say, yes. VLADIMIR Then, you'll take her to see Tatiana? SOPHIE Oh, heavens I must say... no, no actually, I can't - Tatiana has refused to see any more girls. VLADIMIR Perhaps you could convince her? SOPHIE Oh, heavens, no... but ... (Vlad-leans closer as Sophie shares a naughty secret) She is going to be at the Ballet Russe tonight! That's the Russian Ballet - Russe for Russian, oh those crazy French... they only go to see which dancers will defect. She rises heading towards Anya. Her butt knocks over a vase, which Vladimir deftly catches. SOPHIE Come my dear, we've much to talk about. EXT. GARDEN Vladimir has finished giving Dmitri the details. Both are ecstatic. VLADIMIR We did it! We did it, my boy! We're going to see Tatiana at the ballet tonight and we're going to be rich! Rich! DMITRI But it's not the money, Vlad. VLADIMIR (shocked) Are you feeling all right? ANYA (CONT.) (deeply grateful) But you never doubted who I was, did you, Dmitri? Not for a second ... Anya gratefully kisses Dmitri an the cheek and runs into the house. Vladimir, who's been watching, has a warning. VLADIMIR Life is funny, isn't it. You find the right girl ... and then you lose her. DMITRI What do you mean? VLADIMIR Dmitri ... You must understand that once you take her to Tatiana... well, it's over... nothing can happen between you. She's a princess and you're a commoner. Dmitri understands this and is devastated. Vladimir pats him on the back as he walks into the house.