The opening of the next entry is written.
Poprishchin V.O.
November Sixth. Something has gotten into the Chief of my Division!
Cut To:
The CHIEF OF THE DIVISION, working at his desk, gestures for POPRISHCHIN to sit.
Poprishchin V.O.
When I reached the department he calls me in and begins as follows.
The Chief talks to Poprishchin in a rather distracted manner. He is looking for a document that he has misplaced on his desk.
Chief of the Division
Now tell me, please, What's the matter with you?
Poprishchin
What do you mean? Nothing.
Chief of the Division
Are you sure? Think hard. Aren't you over forty? Time to be a bit wiser. What do you fancy yourself to be? Don't imagine I can't see what you're up to.
Cut to POPRISHCHIN'S POV: The Chief looks down and directly into the CAMERA as he turns his focus to Poprishchin. His tone of voice shifts abruptly to one of harsh condemnation.
Chief of the Division
I know you're trailing after the Director's daughter. Just look at yourself. What are you? A nothing, a nobody. You haven't a kopeck to your name. Just look at your face in the mirror. Fancy you having thoughts about the Director's daughter!!!
Cut to: Poprishchin is stunned, sitting in the chair across from the Chief's desk.
The Chief, looks relaxed and calm. He looks at Poprishchin as if to say "Ah, good then... everything's understood."
The Chief finds the missing document on his desk.
Chief of the Division
Ah! Here it is.
The Chief turns away from Poprishchin, crossing to the filing cabinet against the wall behind his desk.
Cut to: A tear begins to form in Poprishchin's expressionless face.
The CAMERA slowly TRACKS IN to a CLOSE-UP of Poprishchin's face as he runs through a gamut of emotions...
...building to a venomous rage.
Poprishchin jumps up from his chair.
Cut To:
POPRISHCHIN yells directly into the CAMERA.
Poprishchin
I am a noble man! And I can be promoted too! I'm only forty-two, an age when one's career is really just beginning. Just because you wear a gold chain on your watch, and just because you pay thirty rubles for a pair of boots, and just because you hold your head in the air like... well...that!...you think you're Lord God Almighty! Wait my friend, I'll go higher than you yet, and God willing, very, very much higher! Then I'll achieve a social position beyond your dreams. What have you taken into your head, that you're the only person to have dignity? Just give me a new coat cut in the latest style, I'll knot my tie the way you do and you won't be worthy to clean my boots.
Poprishchin walks away from the CAMERA and his apartment is revealed.
Poprishchin crawls into his bed.
Poprishchin
It's my lack of means...
Cut To:
The entry is completed.
Poprishchin V.O.
...that's the only problem.
Fade to Black.