As the first rays of the morning sun illuminate the page, the date of the next entry is written. December Third.
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STREET WALKING MONTAGE: POPRISHCHIN is walking briskly, debating with himself outloud. The HANDHELD CAMERA is rushing to stay up with him in a game of cat and mouse. As soon as the CAMERA catches up with him, Poprishchin darts off with purpose in another direction. Only at the moments that the CAMERA catches up with him is Poprishchin’s ranting intelligible.
Poprishchin walks along a busy city street. The CAMERA catches up with him.
POPRISHCHIN
Lies! There won't be a wedding. The wedding won't be. There won't be a wedding. The wedding won't be. There won't be a wedding. The wedding won't be.
Poprishchin dodges the CAMERA and darts around the corner.
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Poprishchin walks outside the Aleksandrinskiy Theater. In the foreground is a round column with a poster for the theatrical production of "Filatka and Miroshka" and "Richard III". Poprishchin runs behind the column away from the CAMERA.
The CAMERA catches up with him.
POPRISHCHIN
So what if he has a commission in the Guard. That's nothing but a position, you can't touch it with your hands. A Guard's officer does not grow a third eye in the middle of his forehead. His nose is not made of gold but the same stuff as mine, or anyone else's. And he sniffs with it, he doesn't eat with it, he sneezes with it, he doesn't cough with it.
Poprishchin turns around and flees from the CAMERA.
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Poprishchin wanders down another busy street.
The CAMERA catches up with him.
POPRISHCHIN
Why am I a clerk? How is it I'm a clerk? On what grounds, for what reasons, should I be a clerk? Clerk, clerk, clerk, clerk, clerk, clerk, clerk.
Poprishchin dodges the CAMERA and darts around the corner.
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Poprishchin runs away from the CAMERA.
The CAMERA catches up with him.
POPRISHCHIN
Perhaps... I'm not really a clerk at all... Perhaps I only somehow appear to be a clerk... Perhaps I'm really... Perhaps I'm... Perhaps... Perhaps I'm really... Perhaps, I don't know myself who I am. Oh yes, this sort of thing happens all the...
Poprishchin looks up...
and suddenly realizes where he is...
Cut to: The front door of the Director's house.
The CAMERA TILTS UP to the DIRECTOR and SOPHIE looking out the second floor corner window of the front sitting room.
A carriage passes in front of the
CAMERA.
The CAMERA PANS with the carriage as it stops at the front door of the house.
Cut to: The door of the carriage opens. A shiny boot steps down onto the carriage step.
The CAMERA TILTS UP to POPRISHCHIN emerging from the carriage dressed in a General's uniform.
The CAMERA PANS with "General" Poprishchin as he crosses to the door. "General" Poprishchin knocks on the door.
The HEAD BUTLER opens the door and welcomes “General” Poprishchin into the house.
The CAMERA TILTS UP to the sitting room window. "GENERAL" POPRISHCHIN enters the room.
The CAMERA PANS RIGHT to the far corner window where Sophie curtsies to "General" Poprishchin.
Poprishchin crosses to the Director and Sophie. The Director offers a handshake to “General” Poprishchin extending only two fingers.
The CAMERA TILTS DOWN to the front door. The front door opens and "General" Poprishchin exits.
The CAMERA PANS with "General" Poprishchin as he walks away from the house.
"General" Poprishchin exits through the front gate and turns onto the street.
Poprishchin enters SCREEN LEFT from behind the CAMERA and follows "General" Poprishchin down the street. There is joy in Poprishchin’s step.
The two Poprishchins walk into the distance with Poprishchin practically dancing behind the "General".
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BUILDING - SUNSET
"GENERAL" POPRISHCHIN and POPRISHCHIN come around the corner of Poprishchin's apartment building.
They stop in front of the archway to his building. The "General" stands with his back to Poprishchin.
Cut to: Poprishchin talks to the "General".
POPRISHCHIN
And who's to say that at this moment that I won't be appointed General or a Major? Who’s to say?
Cut to: "General" Poprishchin turns and looks directly at Poprishchin. The "General" shakes his head as if to say "I don't think so.".
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CLOSE-UP of POPRISHCHIN'S reaction to the "General". He is disappointed and hurt.
POPRISHCHIN
But why?
The CAMERA TRACKS around Poprishchin, revealing that he is now inside his apartment staring at himself in the mirror that rests on top of the dresser. A tear forms in his eye. POPRISHCHIN (cont’d) Why am I a clerk?
The CAMERA TRACKS IN over the shoulder of Poprishchin towards his reflection in the mirror.
The CAMERA continues to zero in on the tear until the tear fills the screen.
Inside the tear is a reflection of Poprishchin standing alone in his room. POPRISHCHIN (cont’d) Why precisely a clerk?
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