EXT. IPATIEV HOUSE -- EKATERINBURG -- DAY
The cars drive along a ten-foot-high wooden stockade fence toward the plank gates of the Ipatiev House at 49 Voznesensky Prospekt, built of brick and stone and covered in plaster whitewash.
The gates open to allow the cars in. Nicholas, Alexandra and Marie get off the car and are led across the paved courtyard. They take a look at the house with windows whitewashed.
A wide flight of six granite steps leads to the main entrance facing Voznesensky Square. On the northern side, the gates open to a courtyard. On the southern side, a side entrance opens to Voznesensky Lane. At the rear, a double balcony overlooks the garden shaded by trees.
Standing in front of the main entrance, Beloborodov makes a gesture of stop.
BELOBORODOV
(announcing)
By the decision of the Central Executive Committee, the former Tsar Nicholas Romanov and his family are transferred to the conduct of the Ural Soviet and shall henceforth be located in Ekaterinburg with the status of prisoners. Comrade Avdayev has been appointed the Commandant of the House of Special Purpose.
Goloshchokin walks ahead and opens the front door. As the Romanovs approach, Goloshchokin appears chilly and sinister, gesturing with his hand.
GOLOSHCHOKIN
Citizen Romanov, welcome to the House of Special Purpose.
Nicholas steps into the house with calm and indifferent manner, followed by Alexandra and Marie. While passing by the guards, Marie kindly nods and smiles at them. Alexandra gives her daughter a hard push from the back. Alexandra grabs Marie's arm and hurries into the house.
ALEXANDRA
(whispering angrily)
Don't be too friendly to them. Behave as a decent girl.
MARIE
Mama, don't reprimand me for nothing. I haven't done anything wrong.
ALEXANDRA
Don't sulk with me.
INT. IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY
The Commandant Avdayev, thirty years old, tall, with light brown hair and a neatly trimmed mustache, waits for the Romanovs inside the front Door.
AVDAYEV
Come on in. Let me show you the rooms.
Avdayev goes ahead, followed by Nicholas, Alexandra and Marie.
EXT. COURTYARD -- DAY
Dr. Botkin, Anna Demidova, Terenty Chemodurov and Ivan Sednev try to drag luggage into the house, but are stopped by Avdayev.
AVDAYEV
Since space is limited, we have to examine your luggage to see what will be allowed into the house, and what can be stored in the exterior sheds.
The guards examine the contents of the valise, cases and trunks one by one. They find out jewelry, fur coats, binoculars, camera, swords, daggers and a map of Ekaterinburg.
AVDAYEV (CONT'D)
How could a map of Ekaterinburg turn up in your bag? All the weaponry and binoculars are to be confiscated.
Alexandra watches and agitates. She snatches the camera from a guard's hand.
ALEXANDRA
I need it to take photos for my family.
AVDAYEV
No, you're not allowed to possess a camera.
ALEXANDRA
But Kerensky allowed us to have it. How come you disapprove? What an insult.
The guard smiles and pulls the camera back from Alexandra's trembling hands. The guards dig through the medical kit and open the vials of medicine one by one. Nicholas becomes exasperated, pacing up and down the room.
NICHOLAS
This is damnable. Thus far, we have had polite treatment. Up until now we have dealt with decent people, but now...
AVDAYEV
Let me remind you, you're all under arrest and investigation. From now on, you'll no longer be addressed by your former titles.
ALEXANDRA
(desperately)
Why is it so now? How come you deprive us of our titles?
Avdayev shrugs and makes a pitiful face.
AVDAYEV
The revolution has swept away the use of such false vanities.
