EXT. RAILROAD STATION -- MOGILEV -- DAY
Nicholas' TRAIN is blocked by the rebellious garrisons.
RAILROAD OFFICER
(yelling)
By order of the Railroad Committee of the Duma, the imperial train shall turn back.
The train is diverted westward.
INT. PARLOR CAR -- IMPERIAL TRAIN -- PSKOV -- DAY
SUPEROVER: MARCH 2, 1917, ABDICATION OF NICHOLAS II
The PARLOR CAR is lighted, its walls decorated with green silk. Nicholas, in a grey Circassian coat, sits at a small table, calm and self-possession in the crisis. He signs a manifesto and hands it to a Court Minister.
NICHOLAS
In this manifesto, I appoint a responsible ministry and order the halt of troop movements from the front.
Another Court Minister enters and submits a document to Nicholas
COURT MINISTER
Your Majesty, this is the results of a poll of the chief commanders. The new Provisional Government and the generals insist on Your Majesty's immediate abdication and advise regency.
Nicholas reads the document and ponders.
NICHOLAS
I've taken the decision to renounce the throne in favor of my son Alexei. Draw up immediately the manifesto providing for the succession of Alexei II and the Regency of Grand Duke Michael II.
Nicholas rises from the table, walks aside to stretch his legs. Dr. Botkin approaches Nicholas.
NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
Tell me frankly if Alexei is able to recover completely?
DR. BOTKIN
Although there might be miracles, the science of medicine knows no case of full recovery from such a disease.
NICHOLAS
So, it's incurable.
DR. BOTKIN
Yes, I'm afraid, Your Majesty. Moreover, after your abdication, you will not be allowed to live with the tsarevich as the new Sovereign.
NICHOLAS
Oh, I can hardly live without Alexei. So, I must abdicate for him as well.
Two EMISSARIES of the Duma stride into the parlor car and stand face-to-face with Nicholas.
NICHOLAS (CONT'D)
I shall abdicate for my son as well as for myself, in favor of my brother Michael II. May the Lord God help Russia.
EMISSARY
I, as the Emissary of the Provisional Government Committee, proclaim that Nicholas II have abdicated from the throne of Russia.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM -- TAURIDA PALACE -- DAY
The Provisional Government holds cabinet meeting. GRAND DUKE MICHAEL II, handsome and frail-looking, enters and sits in an armchair, facing the Duma member ALEXANDER KERENSKY.
KERENSKY
By taking the throne you will not save Russian. The mood of the masses showed intense displeasure at the monarchy. If you took power, you'd subject yourself to personal danger.
MICHAEL
(in tears)
I'd not accept the throne unless invited to do so by a constituent assembly.
KERENSKY
I sincerely respect your gesture, so does Russia.
