POPRISHCHIN V.O.
Can't Remember The Date. Nor was there a month. The Devil Knows What's Going On.
The sheet falls to the floor and reveals the door.
SOUND: A knock on the door.
There is no response.
SOUND: Another knock at the door.
The doorknob turns. The door is locked. A key turns in the lock. MAVRA opens the door and peeks into the room. She looks puzzled as she cautiously enters the apartment.
The CAMERA TRACKS BACK as Mavra looks towards the window. Mavra lets out a shriek and quickly covers her mouth.
POPRISHCHIN
(offscreen)
Has the Spanish Delegation arrived?
Mavra nods "no" and quickly leaves closing the door behind her.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
(offscreen)
Take forth my missive. Tell them We await them by the hour.
The CAMERA TRACKS BACK towards the window wall...
...and SLOWLY PANS around the barren apartment... ...until finally revealing ...
POPRISHCHIN, staring straight forward with regal composure, in his newly sewn mantle. He sits on top of his "throne" in the alcove by the window. His mantle is constructed from his overcoat, newspapers, quills, and buttons. The "throne" is an elaborate construction made from the entire contents of the apartment. The dresser, face down in the middle of the pile is a platform for his chair. His bed, up on end, is the throne’s backboard. Clothes and blankets are draped across the furniture. The mirror hangs directly behind his head.
The CAMERA SLOWLY TRACKS IN towards Poprishchin.
Poprishchin sits motionless on his throne. The CAMERA continues to SLOWLY TRACK IN as the light changes from daylight to sunset... ...and then night. In the faint glow of moonlight...
POPRISHCHIN V.O.
FIRST DATE.
The CAMERA continues to SLOWLY TRACK IN as the light of the sunrise breaks through the window. The light of the sunrise turns to the cold harsh light of the midday sun.
The CAMERA continues to SLOWLY TRACK IN to an EXTREME CLOSE-UP of Poprishchin. He is confused, coming closer and closer to tears.
Poprishchin's face explodes with revelation.
POPRISHCHIN
FRANCE!
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