The CAMERA SHOOTS DOWN upon a white basin of soapy water that rests on a wooden table. On the table next to the basin is a towel, leather strap, razor and scissors. The CAMERA TRACKS ALONG the table on a path that creates the illusion that the basin is the full moon rising in the night sky.
POPRISHCHIN V.O.
January Of The Same Year That Falls After February. I don't understand this. I don't understand anything. I do not understand anything at all.
POPRISHCHIN (offscreen)
We don't want to become a monk!
A razor with blood and hair is washed off in the water. The blood slowly spreads in the white soapy water with a macabre beauty.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
It's so stupid, so senseless.
The razor is placed down on the table.
SOUND: A bucket of water is dumped on Poprishchin.
The water flows under the edge of the table.
Cut to: Leather belts are secured across Poprishchin's chest.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
Why do you put Us through such hell? I just don't see the point of these peculiar customs.
Cut to: GUARD #1 turns a large gear.
The CAMERA PANS to Poprishchin spinning around in a "treatment" device. The device is a caged in chair that spins like a top.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
And the utter stupidity of all of the Kings before me who never got around to abolishing these archaic practices, is stupid.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
It's so stupid, so senseless. So stupid, so senseless, so stupid, so senseless.
Poprishchin finally becomes quiet.
Cut to: The Grand Chancellor nods to the Guard to stop spinning Poprishchin.
Cut to: Poprishchin is unstrapped from the chair by Guard #1. Blood dripping from the top of his shaven head, he is dizzy and disoriented.
Cut to: Poprishchin, thoroughly disoriented, is led by the Guard to the
Grand Chancellor.
A drop of blood trickles down from Poprishchin’s head into his eye.
Cut to POPRISHCHIN’S POV: A series of threatening details in the room awash in red.
The shaving table, basin and razor.
Jars of live leeches on a shelf.
A treatment chair with arm and leg restraints as well as a box for restraining the patient’s head.
Shackles and chains on the wall.
A table with restraints and dirty tools.
Cut to: Poprishchin is confused as he looks at the Grand Chancellor.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
You are not the Grand Chancellor. You are not the Grand Chancellor at all.
Cut to REVERSE: The Chancellor is relieved.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
No, you are not the Grand Chancellor. I think I'm safe in hazarding a guess that...
Cut to REVERSE:
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
I have fallen into the hands of the Inquisition and you are in fact the Grand Inquisitor himself.
Cut to REVERSE: The Grand Inquisitor is disgusted, and gives Guard #1 the high sign to take Poprishchin out of the room.
CUT TO:
The GRAND INQUISITOR follows GUARD #1 and POPRISHCHIN across the bathing room. Poprishchin is putting up no struggle. He is consumed with figuring out his newly discovered predicament.
The CAMERA PANS with them as they walk past a series of metal baths with hinged lids. The lids have holes cut in them for the patients head to stick out.
POPRISHCHIN
But how can a King be subject to the Inquisition? It could be...
The Grand Inquisitor stands by the wall next to the last bath.
Poprishchin lifts his hands above his head like a child waiting for help to have his shirt taken off.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
It could be that France that is putting you up to it. And when I say France, of course, I mean Polignac.
Guard #1 removes Poprishchin's robe.
Poprishchin steps willingly into the bath.
The Guard closes the lid.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
That Polignac is an absolute beast, and has sworn to hunt me down and drive me to my death.
The CAMERA TRACKS IN to a MEDIUM SHOT of Poprishchin.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
And so here We are, with you executing France's bidding. But I know only too well, that France, in turn, is led by the English.Oh, the English are extraordinary politicians, they worm their way into everything.
Cut to: The Inquisitor nods "yes".
Cut to: MEDIUM CLOSE-UP of Poprishchin.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
Why the whole world knows...
Cut to: Guard #1 pulls a rope on the wall behind the bath.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
that when England takes snuff...
Cut to: MEDIUM CLOSE-UP of Poprishchin.
POPRISHCHIN (cont'd)
France sneezes.
Freezing cold water is dumped over Poprishchin's head. Poprishchin shakes his head furiously.
MATCH DISSOLVE TO: