EXT. FACTORY -- EKATERINBURG -- DAY

A crowd of shabby workers clamors in the queue for recruit. The RECRUITER stands on a tree stump.

RECRUITER

(speeching)

Comrades, attention please. You're offered the opportunity to sign up and serve in the Special Detachment in charge of guarding the family of Nicholas II in the Ipatiev House. You're to be paid a salary of 400 rubles per month, along with free board and lodge.

WORKERS

Hurray, keep the Tsar under guard, imprisoned for the safety of the revolution. Let's go, go, go.

Victor squeezes through the crowd of workers to the front of the queue.

VICTOR

(to recruiter)

Comrade, count me in. I'll join you. I'll go with you.

RECRUITER

Okay, you're one. Who's the next?

WORKER 1

I'm.

WORKER 2

Me, me too.

INT. GROUND FLOOR -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY

In uniform, Victor and other new GUARDS rush into the house and stride forward to take rooms on the ground floor, where camp beds are set up.

Victor walks around the place and takes a look at a cement storeroom full of furniture and personal possessions. Some guards stomps, dancing and laughing.

INT. SECONDARY HALLWAY -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY

Victor guards on duty at the post two in the secondary hallway leading to the bathroom and lavatory.

Marie approaches, looking at Victor's back. Victor slowly turns his head and takes off his cap to face Marie and play the gallant.

VICTOR

(bowing chivalrously)

Good day, Mademoiselle.

Marie stands still, dumfounded with her open mouth. She soon recovers and they rush into each other's arms.

MARIE

Ha, fancy meeting you here. What a miracle.

VICTOR

I miss you so much that I fly here to see you.

MARIE

I miss you too. I love to see you but I don't want you to suffer here with me.

VICTOR

I'm able to endure any pain, suffering and hardship, as long as I can stay with you.

MARIE

However, I'm imprisoned. You shouldn't be imprisoned with me. It's not fair. You don't belong to this place.

VICTOR

Since you refuse to elope with me, I have no choice. I have to go to your place, to your world.

MARIE

To my world? My world is a nightmare. I don't want you to share my nightmare, because I love you.

VICTOR

I won't let you have nightmare any more. I want you to be happy, because I love you.

INT. DINING ROOM -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY

The Romanovs and their retainers sit at the large bare oak dining table laid for breakfast. They take black bread and wait for tea.

Anna goes to the oak sideboard and takes a look into the samovar on it.

ANNA

Oh, it's empty. We have no hot water to make tea

INT. DRAWING ROOM -- IPATIEV HOUSE -- DAY

The Romanovs and their retainers assemble for prayers. Alexandra covers the makeshift altar with an embroidered cloth and the family's icons. Nicholas reads the Gospel before the altar. Victor stands in the doorway and watches them.

MARIE

Papa, can we send for a priest?

NICOLAS

I don't know whether we're allowed to, dear.

ALEXANDRA

Why not?

VICTOR

I'll ask the Commandant to let you have a priest.

NICHOLAS

Thank you.

INT. COMMANDANT'S ROOM -- DAY

Sitting at his desk, Avdayev exams the letters and discovers a thin sheet of paper concealed under the envelope. On the sheet of paper is a plan of the house drawn by Nicholas. Avdayev removes the paper and scrutinizes it.

The door is knocked. Victor enters.

VICTOR

Hey, Commandant, the maid needs hot water to make tea. Our guards have used up all in the samovar.

AVDAYEV

So, boil more water, right away. I'll buy another samovar later.

VICTOR

By the way, may the prisoners have a priest?

Avdayev appears an inflexible tyranny in a contentious mood.

AVDAYEV

No, no, no, go to hell. I deny this request. Call Nicholas here.

VICTOR

Yes, Commandant.

Victor leaves and, for a while, brings Nicholas in.

AVDAYEV

Why did you draw a plan of the house?

NICHOLAS

I, uh, I just want my kids in Tobolsk to imagine our new domicile, and, and  prepare them for their encounter with this crowded house.

AVDAYEV

Why did you conceal it under the envelope lining?

NICHOLAS

Uh, I'm sorry.

AVDAYEV

You're not permitted to send it.

Avdayev crumples the letters, throws them into a trash can and storms out of his office. Victor picks up the letters from the trash can and puts them into his pocket.

VICTOR

(whispering)

Let me deliver your letters.

NICHOLAS

I don't want to cause trouble to you.

VICTOR

It's okay. Don't worry. I can handle it.