MUSIC BEGINS: BRIGHT, EXCITING, PARIS IN THE TWENTIES
Anya and Dmitri, followed by Vlad and Sophie are walking
down the Champs Elysees. Meetoo trots along after them,
happily. They walk by AN ACCORDION PLAYER and a LADY FLOWER
SELLER, who watch them and whisper to each other.
ACCORDION PLAYER
Lovers!
FLOWER SELLER
Ooh la la!
"PARIS HOLDS THE KEY TO YOUR HEART" (PRODUCTION NUMBER)
In UPTEMPO "PARIS IN THE TWENTIES style MUSIC, the people of
Paris ALL SING, welcoming Anya and Dmitri, Sophie and Vlad,
to Paris!
The foursome explores the city and Anya has the
happiest day of her young life. On the streets they
encounter the motley denizens of Paris, as well as
people with very familiar faces -- for anyone in the
audience in the know, they'll see Josephine Baker,
Maurice Chevalier, Rodin, Gertrude Stein, Freud,
Lindbergh - people who were in Paris in the twenties..
For those in the audience who don't recognize them,
they'll simply be unidentified fascinating "types" who SING.
As the joyous number progresses, we realize that Dmitri
is feeling something else -- the impending loss of Anya
to a world where she clearly is at home. He SINGS for a
short moment, knowing that he's about to lose her. Anya
visits a couturier and comes out with a big dress box
for her evening at the ballet. A BIG FINALE as they go
off for the evening. Even Meetoo has found some female
poodle companionship. But for one last beat, Dmitri's
wistfulness cuts against joy.
END MUSICAL NUMBER
EXT. PARIS SKYLINE - DUSK
A glorious sunset over the city of lights ...
PAN DOWN
to the "other side of the tracks, a run down area
next to the Seine River. Rasputin's wagon is
parked on the edge.
INT. RASPUTIN'S WAGON
Bartok freshens himself up in front of the mirror as he
BARTOK
(singing, a cappella)
PARSE HOLDS THE KEY TO MY HEART
FRENCH- BAT- CHICKS HANG OUT AT
MONTMARTRE
WE'LL EAT SOME IN-SECTS
THEN GO BACK AND HAVE --
RASPUTIN (O.C.)
(cutting him off)
Shut up!
NEW ANGLE
showing Rasputin trying to concentrate on the reliquary.
BARTOK
Sorry, it's just... you know I saw these
french postcards once and... ooh la la ...
well, I'm not sure about the "ooh", but
it's the "la la" I'm really lookin'
forward to...
(Rasputin growls)
Right, I'm shutting up.
Rasputin leans closer to the reliquary, which now contains
the BRIGHTEST COLORS we've seen. The reliquary sits in
it's cabinet.
RASPUTIN
We're close to her, aren't we?
The reliquary BRIGHTENS even more, looking as if it could
burst.
RASPUTIN (CONT.)
Excited, eh? You look about to burst ...
(teasing)
You'd like to burst, wouldn't you?
The lightsin the reliquary shake, as if to say "yes".
RASPUTIN (CONT.)
No, no, no. We made a bargain.
(petting it)
Someday you'll have me for all eternity.
Till then...
(leaning closer)
I'm in charge.
Rasputin slams the cabinet shut, then turns to see Bartok
in front of a mirror. He wears a smart BLACK BERET which
is much too large on him.
BARTOK
What do you think? Is it me?
EXT. SMALL HOTEL - NIGHT
Sweet, small french hotel on a winding cobble stone street
of the Left Bank.
INT. SMALL HOTEL - NIGHT
Dmitri and Vladimir are both dressed in formal attire and
look extremely dapper. Vlad is delighted with himself,
modeling his finery, but Dmitri looks very sad.
VLADIMIR
Compliments of Sophie. Her escort
has to look his best.
They turn as the door opens and Anya stands nervously,
but then strikes a regal pose. She looks magnificent ...
radiant, which is not lost on Dmitri.
ANYA
How do I look?
Before Vladimir can gush, Dmitri, forced to repress his
true feelings, is a bit curt and rises.
DMITRI
Fine. We better go.
Anya looks surprised by his tone, but follows.
EXT. PARIS OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT
As the BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF PARIS pull up in carriages and
automobiles.
INT. PARIS OPERA HOUSE
As Dmitri, Vladimir and Anya take their seats, all around
them people are whispering "Who's that?", "What a beautiful
woman", etc. The Ballet begins.
ANYA'S POV
Dancers in bright costumes leap across the stage.
Dmitri turns to Anya and gestures to the box seats to the
left. He hands her the opera glasses.
DMITRI
Look. There is your grandmother...
Anya gives Dmitri a very nervous look and takes the glasses,
aiming them toward Tatiana.
ANYA'S POV
The majestic Tatiana, flanked by Sophie and her sisters and
backed by several large GUARDS in uniform.
ANYA
She's so beautiful! I do remember
her ... I remember her ...
The music continues as Anya looks at Tatiana.
INTERMISSION
The lights come up and people around them begin to stand
up, stretch, etc. Dmitri turns to Anya.
DMITRI
Come on. It's time..
INT. MEZZANINE -- MINUTES LATER
They approach Tatiana's private box.
DMITRI Wait here for just a moment. I'll go in first and
prepare her. It's bound to be a shock...
ANYA
I'm so scared...
DMITRI
Don't be
ANYA
And grateful. To you.
(reaching out to him)
If it weren't for you --
DMITRI
(upset, pulling away)
I know.
Dmitri opens the door into Tatiana's private box. Anya
waits nervously outside.
INT. PRIVATE BOX
Dmitri walks up to the guards standing at the top of three
small steps into the box seats.
DMITRI
I need to speak with the
Dowager Empress ...
[PAGE MISSING]
TATIANA (CONT.)
How much pain will you inflict
on an old woman for money?!
DMITRI
Please, if you'd just listen...
TATIANA
(to guards)
Remove him at once.
The guards physically force Dmitri out, in spite of his
urgent pleas.
DMITRI
Please! Empress! It's not what you ....
Dmitri is thrown out of the box and straight into Anya,
who stares at him with tears in her eyes. She then turns
and runs away.
DMITRI
Anya. . . please. . .
INT. LOBBY
Anya pushes her way through the CROWD with Dmitri in pursuit.
EXT. OPERA HOUSE - NIGHT
Anya bursts out of the doors followed by Dmitri
DMITRI
Anya, wait!
ANYA
(spinning on him)
Tell me it isn't true?! Tell me
you didn't do this for the money!
DMITRI
No! Well, yes, but
ANYA
No! I thought you believed in
me! It was all a lie!
EXT. PARIS OPERA
Dmitri runs out and stands by grand looking automobiles
lined up in front. He scans the cars.
DMITRI'S POV
Tatiana is walking toward her car. A very proper CHAUFFEUR
holds the door for her.
The CHAUFFEUR helps Tatiana in, then is about to climb
into the front seat when Dmitri rushes up to him.
DMITRI
Sir! Your rear tire is flat!
CHAUFFEUR
it is?
As he gets out to look, Dmitri slides into the drivers
seat and roars away. The stunned Chauffeur in his dust.
INT. CAR
Tatiana is jolted by the fast motion of her car.
TATIANA
Ulo! Slow down!
Dmitri turns from the front seat and looks at her.
DMITRI
I'm not Ulo and I won't slow down.
But you will listen to me!
TATIANA
(recognizing Dmitri)
You! How dare you?! Stop this car
immediately!
EXT. PARIS STREETS
Tatiana's car flying down small streets.
INT. TATIANA'S CAR
TATIANA
Stop this car!
The car slams to. a stop in front of the SMALL HOTEL.
Dmitri leans into the back seat, face-to-face with her.
DMITRI
Please don't be afraid! I'm sorry,
but there was no other way!
Tatiana is frightened, but still very stubborn. She looks
away from him. Dmitri thrusts the music box into her hands.
DMITRI (CONT.)
Look at this!
Tatiana looks down and is immediately taken aback.
TATIANA
Anastasia's music box... She had this
all these years...
(fighting the possibility)
You could have found it...
DMITRI
What I foundyour was your granddaughter!
Tatiana turns away from him again.
DMITRI (CONT.)
You were right - it was a lie.
My intention was to fool you
(sadly)
I am a liar - but I found the
truth. Just see her! I swear
if you see her I'll disappear
forever
Dmitri points up to the open window of the hotel.
DMITRI (CONT.)
Just look! Just look at her!
Tatiana finally looks out the window.
TATIANA'S POV
Anya holding Meetoo in front of the window.
BACK TO TATIANA
reacting to how much she looks like Anastasia.
INT. SMALL HOTEL -- A MINUTE LATER
Anya hears a KNOCK and assumes it is Dmitri.
ANYA
Go away!
The door opens slowly. Anya spins, then softens when she
sees Tatiana holding the MUSIC BOX.
TATIANA
Who are you, child?
ANYA
(crying)
I don't know! I don't want to hurt you...
Tatiana holds out the music box.
TATIANA
Do you remember this?
ANYA
I remember something lost ...
I'm so confused! Oh, please,
just tell me if you recognize me!
Do you think I could have...
belonged to you ...
Tatiana notices Anya nervously playing with the key around
her neck. Tatiana reacts when she sees the key.
TATIANA
Oh! Where did you get that?!
Anya sees her looking at the key around her neck.
ANYA
I've always had it... I came here
because of this! Tell me if you recognize
it! Please! It's all I have...
UNDERSCORE- "THE MUSIC BOX THEME"
Tatiana holds out her hands as Anya takes off the key
and hands it to her.
TATIANA
(through tears)
It was hers ... my Anastasia's ...
(then suddenly: angry,
defensive)
If this is part of your scheme!
If you found it or stole - I
don't care, I'll give you
whatever you want just TELL ME
THE TRUTH!
Anya takes the music box and the key out of Tatiana's
hand gently - remembering how it works. Anya puts in the
key and begins to wind it. Tatiana is surprised that Anya
knows how it works - so is Anya!
TATIANA (CONT.)
(singing, a cappella)
PAR AWAY, LONG AGO GLOWING DEEP
AS AN EMBER
ANYA
(remembering)
THINGS MY HEAR USED TO KNOW
THINGS IT YEARS TO REMEMBER
We hear THE MUSIC BOX begin to play.
BOTH
AND A SONG SOMEONE SINGS
ONCE UPON A DECEMBER...
Their cracking voices trail off as they look at each other
and know that they are who they've been searching for -
and the search is finally over.
Tatiana and Anya throw their arms around each other, both
crying, both overjoyed.
TATIANA Anastasia! Anastasia! You've come home at last!
You've come home ...
OUTSIDE THE WINDOW
Dmitri watches Anya and Tatiana's embrace. He smiles sadly,
then turns and walks down the dark street alone.
EXT. ANYA'S WINDOW
Bartok slides his way out to the window ledge. Overcome with
emotion, he is crying big bat tears.
BARTOK
He is gonna yellllll.
EXT. RASPUTIN'S WAGON - NIGHT
Hideous fat river rats, ferocious looking and scarred,
stop and tremble nervously when
RASPUTIN (O.C.)
(booming louder than ever before)
SHE'LL FIND HER DEMISE IN THAT HAPPY HOME!
Bartok catapults across the frame, having been thrown out
of the window so hard that when he hits the stone wall of
the river bank, the stones crack.
BARTOK
I should have been a dentist ...
INT. ANYA'S BEDROOM IN TATIANA'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Anya snuggles down into the thick covers as Tatiana
strokes her hair gently.
ANYA
... and that Christmas dinner,
when Cook made that awful plum
pudding and we hid it in our
pockets so we wouldn't hurt her
feelings! I do remember so much
now, Grandmama, - but not everything.
TATIANA
Don't worry about that now, child,
it will all come back to you now
that you're home...
Anya closes her eyes as Tatiana continues to stroke her hair.
TATIANA (CONT.)
(quietly)
My poor child you're safe, now...
you're home ...
Anya is asleep as Tatiana kisses her forehead, turns off
the light and walks to the door. She looks back on her
sleeping granddaughter with enormous joy and gratitude.
She smiles to herself as she pulls the door closed
behind her, revealing RASPUTIN STANDING BEHIND THE DOOR.
His eyes glow like embers in the dark. Bartok is perched
on his shoulder.
RASPUTIN
Yesss ... finally "home". And what
a charming ... girlish little home
it is.
(gestures to CHERUBS
in the wallpaper)
Look, Bartok, little angels, the
symbol of ... love. So sweet, so
harmless.
Rasputin takes the reliquary from around his waist and
places it on the table.
RASPUTIN (CONT.)
Let's go for a touch of irony, shall we?
He waves his hand and the smoke emerges, emanating toward
the walls.
CLOSE ON
some CHERUBS as the smoke hits them. They begin to change,
taking on a lean and evil look. Their tiny arrows grow,
becoming lethal, as their eyes turn from soft brown to
blood red. Slowly, they EMERGE from the wallpaper, their
small wings growing into horrible pterodactyl membranous
paired appendages.
They SWOOP into flight and begin to circle the room, faster
and faster. Rasputin leans precariously over the sleeping
Anya, chuckling.
RASPUTIN (CONT.)
And there will be no blood on my hands ...
Rasputin backs away as the cherubs aim their JAGGED ARROWS
at Anya.
Suddenly, Meetoo leaps up from the bed, barking. Rasputin,
startled, jumps backward. Bartok falls off his shoulder and
on to the table, knocking into the reliquary - which is about
to fall.
RASPUTIN (CONT.)
Nooooooo!
Rasputin catches it. The SPELL is immediately broken and
everything turns back to normal just as Anya wakes up. She
sees Rasputin and lets out a SCREAM.
Rasputin advances on her, his hands outstretched as if to
strangle her when he hears footsteps and voices in the hallway.
Rasputin grabs the reliquary and LEAPS out the window, his
monk's robe billowing just as the door opens.
Tatiana rushes in and sees Bartok flying out the window.
TATIANA
Anastasia! It was just a bat!
It's gone, dear...
ANYA
(shaken)
No, it wasn't a bat! I saw this
horrible man - I remember him,
I think...
TATIANA
(comforting)
No, no child... shush... it's
all right ...
She embraces Anya, who is still terrified and knows
that she saw what she saw.
INT. TATIANA'S HOUSE - DAY
Anya sits, looking a bit vacant as two overly French
jewelers, PIERRE & ANDRE, fit Anya for her ROYAL CROWN.
Tatiana sits across from Anya and can't help but notice
that Anya looks miserable as Sophie bustles about.
SOPHIE
A grand ball for the Princess.
How very exciting. So much to do,
so little time...
TATIANA
(slightly annoyed)
Do it somewhere else, please. Quietly.
The slight is lost on Sophie who bustles out talking to herself.
SOPHIE
Caterers ... invitations ... saber
dancers! We must have saber dancers!
"RULERS OF RUSSIA" (COMIC REPRISE)
Sophie SINGS as COMIC REPRISE of 'RULERS OF RUSSIA"
Pierre and Andre argue as they fit Anya for the crown.
PIERRE
Her head it is ... how you say?
ANDRE
Beeg. Zat is how you say it.
Beeg.
PIERRE
And the crown she is ... how you say?
ANDRE
Small! Zat is "how you say" it!
Don't be so French, Pierre wit the
"how you say" all za time - zat is
really annoying.
As they discuss this, Anya wanders away from them, the crown
still slightly askew on her head. Tatiana follows her.
TATIANA
You are going to make a beautiful
princess.
But Anya simply nods. Tatiana turns her towards a FULL LENGTH
MIRROR, then straightens the crown as they look at their
reflections.
TATIANA
Lovely...
(no reaction)
What troubles you, child?
But before Anya can answer, Vladimir leans into the room.
VLADIMIR
Madame, your... eh... guest has
arrived.
TATIANA
(knowing)
Thank you, Vladimir.,
Tatiana leaves and Vladimir looks at Anya. Anya, angry
at him, turns away.
VLADIMIR
Anya... Anastasia... I'm sorry ...
We didn't mean to hurt you ...
Anya still won't look at him.
INT. TATIANA'S STUDY
Tatiana walks into her study and is happy to see Dmitri
is standing there, looking nervous and very uncomfortable.
TATIANA
I sent for you because I owe you a
debt of gratitude larger than I can
ever repay
DMITRI
No. Empress, you --
TATIANA
I want you to have the reward money -
you've earned it.
He leaps from his chair, exploding with emotion.
DMITRI
Empress, no! I will not take the
money! I just came to tell you
I was sorry...
TATIANA
Young man, I...
Dmitri flips his hair out of his eyes and Tatiana gets
a look of recognition across her face.
DMITRI
... and I'm going to keep my
promise to stay out of your
lives, forever.
Tatiana looks at him with great understanding and affection
as she realizes,
TATIANA
You are the boy ...
DMITRI
(uncomfortable)
I should go
TATIANA
That last night in the palace...
one boy showed us kindness and courage.
You were the boy who saved our lives,
weren't you?
(Dmitri doesn't answer)
Please, is there nothing I can do to
repay you?
DMITRI
Promise me she'll have her home.
TATIANA
She does.
DMITRI
And tell me that she's happy.
TATIANA
Oh, Dmitri.I wish that I could.
Dmitri comes down the steps, then stops when he sees Anya,
wearing her CROWN.
She turns and sees him, stifling her first impulse, then
putting on a show of supreme confidence.
DMITRI
I'm glad you found what you
were looking for.
ANYA
I'm glad you did too.
With nothing left to say, he heads for the door.
ANYA
Enjoy your fortune.