INT. IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAWN
Avdayev steps out of his office, followed by his assistant ALEXANDER MOSHKIN, a twenty-eight-year-old brutal and monstrous guy.
AVDAYEV
Let's survey the ten posts and four machine-guns.
MOSHKIN
Yes, Commandant.
EXT. IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAWN
The sentries, armed with rifles fixed with triangular-shaped bayonets, perform guard duty by the sentry posts.
The guards, with revolvers and hand grenades, step on the dirty sludge of the melting snow, patrolling along the wooden palisade surrounding the house.
GUARDS
Good morning, Commandant, good morning.
AVDAYEV
Good morning, comrades. Now you all access to this house, as I promised. See? Ha, ha, ha.
GUARD 1
(gaily)
Yeah, now we're able to stay in the same house as the former emperor and his family.
AVDAYEV
Hey, Nicholas the Bloody, he waged a war and, for three years, spilled the blood of our workers. Then, he shot our workers for daring to strike.
GUARD 2
We almost starved to death, while fighting the war in his battalions.
GUARD 3
Nicholas the Bloody, he should've drowned in riches and excess, with such boundless power.
GUARD 4
Now his Court is here, with his four servants, Ha, ha, ha.
MOSHKIN
We should've pulled him off the throne a long time ago. He should've been shot.
INT. NICHOLAS' BEDROOM -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- MAY 1 -- DAY
Marie opens the window of her bedroom shared with her parents. BIRDS twitter. STREETCARS jingle.
Nicholas, standing beside Marie, breathes the air through the open pane.
NICHOLAS
The weather is marvelous, dear.
MARIE
Yes, Papa. The birds sing so sweetly. They must be very happy.
NICHOLAS
Of course, they're happy, since they're free.
Maid Anna makes the bed, unpacks the valises and hangs clothes up into the wardrobe. Alexandra arranges her jewelry, photographs, books and varieties of personal items. Alexandra washes her hands in a washbasin on a marble-topped vanity.
ALEXANDRA
I hate to pass by the sentries to go to the lavatory and bathroom.
ANNA
It's so embarrassing to share the toilet fouled by such guards.
ALEXANDRA
I have to get up earlier in the morning to avoid bumping into them.
EXT. STREETS -- SQUARE -- DAY
The proletarian workers parade through the streets to celebrate May Day. They hold up cardboards printed Lenin's portrait, red flags with the crossed hammer and sickle, and banners with revolutionary slogans. They roar the SONG "INTERNATIONALE."
CHORUS
Arise, ye prisoners of starvation. Arise, ye wretched of the earth. For justice thunders condemnation, a better world's in birth. No more tradition chains shall bind us...
INT. NICHOLAS' BEDROOM -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY
Hearing the SONG, Marie and her parents huddle and peep through the windowpane. The high fence closes off the view.
THE ROMANOVS' POV THROUGH THE WINDOWPANE
Beyond the palisade, the gilded CROSS shimmers on the spire of the Cathedral.
BACK TO SCENE
Alexandra makes the sign of CROSS.
ALEXANDRA
A storm is approaching, but we know that God is merciful and will care for us. Whatever happens will be through God's will.
EXT. STREETS -- SQUARE -- DAY
A couple of participants play ACCORDIONS, marching ahead the singing PROCESSION. A leading WORKER forcibly and rhythmically waves his arms to conduct the exciting chorus.
CHORUS
...The earth shall rise on new foundation we have been naught we shall be all. This is the final conflict. Let each stands in his place. Internationale shall be the human race. This is the final conflict. Let each stands in his place. Internationale shall be the human race.
EXT. STREET -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY
Victor is among some PEOPLE who gather around the house and crane their necks, attempting to catch a glimpse of the prisoners inside the house. The guards gesture with their hands, trying to disperse the curious people.
GUARD
Go on, citizens, walk on. Nothing interesting happened here.
CITIZEN 1
Why don't you allow us to be here, if nothing interesting happened?
CITIZEN 2
Are the Emperor and his family living there?
GUARD
Go away. If you stay here any longer, we'll shoot.
The hostile guards direct their flash rifle to the crowd to enforce them to scurry away.
