INT. LIVING ROOM -- WINTER PALACE -- DAY

Marie kneels in front of her parents, weeping. Her three sisters stand beside her.

ALEXANDRA

What a shame, Marie.  How come you've got involved in the assassination of your own father? How did you know that rascal murderer?

MARIE

Mama, Victor is a good boy. He's not a murderer. You can't accuse him of murder.

ALEXANDRA

Shut up. How dare you rebut me?

OLGA

Mama, let Marie talk, give her a chance to explain.

MARIE

Victor is just a kid who wanted to revenge his father. His father was killed by the imperial soldiers.

NICHOLAS

His father got killed? By the imperial army? Why?

MARIE

During the parade, asking for peace and bread.

NICHOLAS

I'll send some officers to investigate it.

MARIE

Papa, just like our Almighty God forgive us all, you shall pardon him. Please release him. He is innocent. Please set him free. Please...

NICHOLAS

Marie, listen, for God's sake, you shall leave for Tsarskoe Selo tomorrow, with your mother and siblings.

MARIE

No, I won't go. I can't leave now, while Victor is in jail.

ALEXANDRA

Listen to your father. Leave with us tomorrow.

NICHOLAS

Believe me, I'll handle it properly. You just go, be a good girl, okay?

TATIANA

Marie, listen to Papa. Everything will be okay.

ANASTASIA

Sister dear, I don't want you to cry. Cheer up please.

Nicholas helps stand Marie on her feet. Alexandra shakes her head and shrugs.

ALEXANDRA

(complaining to her husband)

Our children, with their special ideas, rarely understand my way of looking at things. When I say how I was brought up and how one must be, they can't understand and find it dull.

MARIE

Mama, I'm so sorry to disappoint you.

Nicholas caresses Marie's hair and face to solace her. Marie hugs her father in tears.

INT. VICTOR'S CELL -- JAIL -- DAY

Victor stands up as Nicholas appears outside the iron door, followed by ALEXEI TRUPP, a sixty-one year old, sturdily built footman of the imperial household.

NICHOLAS

I'd like to pardon and release you on condition that you stay away from my daughter and never see her again.

The guards open the iron door, unlock the handcuffs and let go of Victor.

EXT. GARRISON -- PETROGRAD -- DAY

Victor scurries, passing the garrison full of the imperial guards. The garrison units mutiny one by one. The roaring guards abandon their regiments and run about.

GUARD 1

We won't obey the order to fire on the rioters. They're innocent people. They're our brothers and sisters. They're our folks.

GUARD 2

The other garrison units have mutinied. Let's mutiny too.

GUARDS

Hurray, Hurray.

GUARD 3

Let's join the revolutionaries to overthrow the regime.

GUARDS

Hurray, Hurray.

EXT. WINTER PALACE -- PETROGRAD -- NIGHT

Victor elbows his way through the crowd of rebellious civilians toward the Winter Palace. He encounters numerous mutinous soldiers roaring themselves hoarse singing "MARSEILLAISE."

Victor lurks in the shadows close to the rear door connecting to the kitchen. Seeing nobody nearby, he approaches the rear door and finds it unlocked. He pushes the door and gets in.

INT. KITCHEN -- WINTER PALACE -- NIGHT

Victor sneaks about the kitchen, stumbling over a bucket. Kharitonov, the chef, appears at the doorway.

KHARITONOV

Is someone here?

VICTOR

Yes, I'm.

KHARITONOV

Who is it?

VICTOR

Victor.

KHARITONOV

Hey, I remember you. You're Grand Duchess Marie's friend.

VICTOR

Yes. I'm looking for her. Where is she?

KHARITONOV

Oh, she's not here. She left.

VICTOR

She left? For where?

KHARITONOV

For Tsarskoe Selo.

VICTOR

Thanks.

Victor rushes out of the kitchen, leaving Kharitonov behind.

KHARITONOV

Hey, guy, don't go there. You're not allowed to...

INT. WINTER PALACE -- PETROGRAD -- DAY

A handful of loyal soldiers are holed up in the Winter Palace. Victor runs about, hiding behind the walls and pillars to keep him out of the sight.

A pile of guard's uniform is scattered on the floor, abandoned by some mutinied soldiers. Victor puts on a set of uniform and strides across some rooms, his cap covering the upper part of his face.

Victor passes Nicholas' office. The door stands ajar.

VICTOR'S POV THROUGH THE DOOR AJAR

Nicholas sits at his desk, listening to his Prime Minister's report. His face remains expressionless.

PRIME MINISTER

Your Majesty, to deal with the anarchy, we need a new government without delay.

NICHOLAS

The Duma shall be dissolved.

PRIME MINISTER

Yes, Your Majesty. I'll notify the Duma Chairman of your decree disbanding the Duma.

BACK TO SCENE

Victor stands erectly behind a wall, listening.