Music cue: The music of a Sharmanka, a
Russian barrel organ. POPRISHCHIN is talking to himself as he emerges from of a pack of PEDESTRIANS strolling near Palace Square. He is wearing an old overcoat and hat.
POPRISHCHIN
No Date. A Day Without A Date. Today Doesn't Have A Date.
A PUZZLED PEDESTRIAN is confused by Poprishchin's comment.
The CAMERA PANS with Poprishchin as he approaches a SMALL CROWD gathered around a puppet stage, laughing. Poprishchin takes a place in the crowd to watch the performance. It is a Russian "Punch and Judy" puppet show, with PETRUSHKA (PUNCH) the KING and a SQUIRE PUPPET.
Cut to OVER THE SHOULDER of PETRUSHKA: Petrushka beats the squire with his stick in a knighting ritual. The small crowd laughs uproariously at the beating. Poprishchin is not laughing.
Cut to OVER THE SHOULDER of POPRISHCHIN: Petrushka turns to acknowledge the laughter of the audience. He looks directly at Poprishchin.
Cut to OVER THE SHOULDER of PETRUSHKA: Poprishchin nods with understanding to Petrushka. A murmur builds in the crowd. "Look, Look", "The Tsar is coming.", “Quickly, here he comes!”, etc...
Poprishchin remains mesmerized by Petrushka as the crowd turns away from the puppet show and lines up to watch the passing of the Tsar in his carriage.
Cut to: Poprishchin pushes his way to the front of the crowd and looks SCREEN LEFT as the Tsar’s carriage approaches. Poprishchin is tempted to reveal his identity, but remains silent.
Cut to POPRISHCHIN’S POV: The Tsar’s ornate carriage passes by the crowd. The Tsar looks radiant in his regal mantle.
Cut to: The crowd removes their hats and bows to the Tsar.
Poprishchin looks at his own clothes, removes his own hat and bows.
The crowd cheers. Poprishchin is dejected, staring at his shabby overcoat. Poprishchin disappears into the crowd.
CUT TO:
A Tailor sits by the window of his shop. It is a very fine shop with beautiful wedding dresses and men’s formal clothing in the window. POPRISHCHIN approaches the tailor's shop staring at his clothing.
The CAMERA TRACKS behind the tailor as Poprishchin stops in front of the display in the window.
The Tailor waves to Poprishchin, inviting him inside. Poprishchin looks again at his clothes and the window display considering the possibilities of the tailor making his mantle.
Poprishchin is inaudible through the glass as he yells at the tailor.
POPRISHCHIN
You tailors are asses. You are all up to your ears in all sorts of shady deals, spending most of your time fixing the roads.
The tailor, unable to hear Poprishchin, looks up as if to say "What?"
Poprishchin walks away.
CUT TO:
MANTLE MONTAGE: A series of frenetically cut CLOSE-UPS that keeps the results of Poprishchin's actions hidden from the audience: An old overcoat is thrown on the floor.
Cut to: A pair of scissors, needle and thread are removed from the top dresser drawer.
Cut to: The scissors slice into the overcoat.
Cut to: Poprishchin looks up concerned.
Cut to: The door is locked.
Cut to: Poprishchin rips down the drapes from the window.
Cut to: The contents of the dresser drawers are dumped onto the floor.
Cut to: The overcoat is sliced with a knife.
Poprishchin is in a whirlwind, frantically moving about the room. Cut to: The arm of the overcoat is ripped off.
Cut to: Poprishchin drags his bed across the floor. Cut to: The writing desk is stacked on top of the dresser.
Cut to: Pieces of the torn coat are sewn together. Cut to: Crumpled newspaper is wedged between the posts of the chair. Cut to: The mirror is tied to the headboard of the bed.
Cut to: Poprishchin unfurls his bed sheet into the air filling the screen with the material...
MATCH CUT TO: