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screenplay A HANDFUL OF SOIL |
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Andrew V. Kudin Veronika A. Kudina A HANDFUL OF SOIL(screenplay)
CHARACTERS TONY – an American, whose family emigrated from Ukraine. He is an engineer, working in an aircraft industry. VERA – a tour guide of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery NANCY – Tony’s cousin TONY’S MOM LAWYER VLADYMIR – the owner of a water factory. RUSTAM – Vladymir’s business partner CAROLINE – Tony’s girlfriend TONY’S RELATIVE THE CASHIER OF THE BOOKSTORE A WOMAN WITH ASIAN FEAUTURES – controls American tourist agency. OWNER OF THE TOURIST AGENCY CONSUL – involved in the Consul of Ukraine in Chicago. HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN – a fluent Russia representative of the tourist agency, specialized in trips to the former USSR. HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN’S PARTNER YOUNG WOMAN – student, part time working in the library at the Chicago University. REPRESENTATIVE AT THE AIRPORT IN CHICAGO FLIGHT ATTENDANT MIDDLE AGED WOMAN – worker at the airport in Kiev YOUNG MAN – coworker of Kiev’s firm “Intertur” CASHIER AT THE CAFÉ – works in the airport in Kiev TAXI DRIVER SASHA – driver of the mini bus TANIA – saleswoman at the airport GENIA – saleswoman at the airport SVETA – Saleswoman at the airport TANIA’S HUSBAND FIRST POLCIEMAN SECOND POLICEMAN STRANGER FROM THE TAXI CASHIER – works at Kiev-Pechersk Monastery OKSANA – Vladimir’s translator FATHER ILLARION STRANGER (MONK) BLACK MONK LIMPING MONK VASILY’S SECRETARY MICHAEL – Tony’s Italian friend. PEDESTRIAN MONK WITH THE ROSARY FIRST SECURITY GUARD – works of Borispol airport SECOND SECURITY GUARD – works at Borispol airport. YOUNG WOMAN – worker at Borispol airport, the one who registered passengers FRONTIER GUARD CONSUL WITH GLASSES – representative of American embassy in Ukraine TONY’S NEIGHBOR The events take place in current time in Kiev (Ukraine) and Chicago (USA).
INT :A typical American home in Chicago. A messy bedroom. An abrupt telephone call. Figures of a man and a woman under the sheets. A man is fidgeting, while looking for the phone on the floor, right by the bed. The phone continues to ring. TONY: What did you do with the damn phone?
Silence. Tony finally finds the phone under the pile of cloth. NANCY (yelling) Tony is it that hard to pick up the damn phone when I call? TONY (calmly yawing). Stop yelling. How am I supposed to know that you are calling? NANCY (irritated). What? You are still asleep? TONY (begging to loose his temper). So what? I can’t calmly sleep? NANCE: I could care less about what you are doing right now, (adding a sarcastic remark) and who you are doing it with. You were always ignorant (after a slight pause). I hope you didn’t forget that today is your grandfather’s funeral and almost all the relatives are at our house already. TONY. Hmm…. (Tony rubbed his head with the phone and then returned it to his ear). Of course, I remember.
CUT TO: THE OFFICE Tony is in charge of a major presentation. A break. Tony sees himself being surrounded by his colleagues, who are enthusiastically discussing something. A phone call… TONY: Mom? TONY’S MOM: Grandpa just died. TONY (confused): Died? Hold on; let me call you back… The office discussion continues, while the phone is still lying on the table. Tony didn’t even get a chance to call his mom that day. INT: TONY’S BEDROOM TONY: Stop yelling at me, Nancy. For your information I never forget anything. I remember about the funeral, the service in church, and the - what do you call that - the wakening? By the way, I didn’t even see grandpa for the last twenty years. I have no obligation to him, and I can’t say that we were ever close.” NANCY: You don’t care about anyone. Don’t forget that exactly at noon we are taking grandfather’s body from the funeral home to the cemetery. Don’t be late!” Phone beeps. Nancy finished the conversation as usual, without bothering to say goodbye. The blanket moves to reveal a woman’s sleeping form with thick, black, messy hair. She sleepily crawls out of bed, and clumsily finds her way to the bathroom. Tony smirks, moves the phone, and heads after the woman. CUT TO: THE BATHROOM Streams of water. Two bodies embrace with heat. Death doesn’t exist for them. There is only Life, which is like a fragile sail flying to the future, on the waves of Pleasure and Passion. INT: FUNERAL The funeral procession exited the gates of the funeral home, silently saying goodbye to the deceased whose casket is covered in flowers. It’s moving down the streets of Chicago. Cemetery. People begin to exit the vehicle carrying the casket to the newly dug hole in the ground. People begin to crown by the casket. The priest is reading a prayer. Tony’s is wearing a black suit and a white shirt, while standing behind his mother. He is constantly shifting his weight. It’s clear that the surrounding bores him. Accidentally Tony accidentally bumped into someone. TONY (whispering) Sorry… TONY’S RELATIVE: (politely nodding his head) Don’t worry about it. (slight pause. It’s unusual to see you in a suit. Usually you don’t wear anything besides your jeans and gym shoes. TONY: Well what do you think? TONY’S RELATIVE: Looks good. TONY: (after a slight pause) I don’t even remember my grandpa. The last time I saw him, I was about nine or ten years old. He spanked me for something, and I called the police. TONY’S RELATIVE: What where the consequences? TONY: None, besides grandpa telling me that I was a jerk just like my dad. Silence. The priest finishes the service. The last minute, the casket is slowly lowered into the ground. First close relatives, then everyone else threw handfuls of soil, on top of the casket. Everyone, except for Tony. It’s clear that he doesn’t understand the point of this ancient ritual. Unnoticed by the others, Tony slipped away from the crowd. By the time everyone heads for their cars to drive to the church where the wake is being held, Tony has already left in the opposite direction without saying goodbye to his mother or any of his other relatives. INT: TONY’S HOME – EVENING Tony is sitting by himself in the armchair in front of the TV. A pile of magazines and a bottle of beer are sitting on the coffee table. The doorbell rings. Tony surprisingly looks around. First he looks at the door, then the window, then at the door again. The doorbell continues to ring again and again. Tony heads for the front door. Nancy is at the doorstep. TONY (disappointed). Oh, it’s just you… Come in since you came. Tony returns to his armchair. Nancy cautiously sits down on the edge of the sofa. TONY. Want some beer? NANCY (pretending not to hear the question) Too bad you didn’t come with us… TONY. Really? Pause. Tony looks at the TV screen. Nancy glances at the wall. NANCY. Grandpa’s will was read after the ceremony. Tony carelessly nodded, rising from his seat. TONY. (heading for the refrigerator) Listen, sis do you want some beer, or not? Tony opens the bottle of beer and falls back in the armchair. NANCY. You know I don’t drink beer…. TONY (peacefully). If you are talking about the beat up Buick and the old hut which you so proudly call the ranch, then you can have them. NANCY. Nobody is bothering you. Regarding the house, I inherited it. (a slight pause), but the rest of his estate is yours. Everyone was surprised that you were the only one of the relatives to receive grandpa’s money. TONY (smirks). Money? Grandpa had something besides his debts? NANCY (irritated shaking her head) In fact he did. He had a couple of million dollars. TONY. What? NANCY (calmly) To be exact, he owed two million, eight-hundred sixty two thousand. Tony slides down the chair and turns to face his cousin TONY: You must be kidding! Where did grandpa get that kind of money? He was an average, retired person who, for the last years of his life, didn’t get out of his home. He lived like a bum. NANCY (shrugging her shoulders): Someday, you will ask him that yourself. I just want to say that there is no doubt the money is yours, and you can do whatever you want with it… (after a short pause). But I think (it’s clear Nancy is nervous and tries to pick the right words) it would be fair, if you would share your wealth with your relatives. (Nancy stops, noticing Tony’s expression) Well… at least with your close relatives. You don’t have brothers or sister, and no other cousins besides me. You hardly keep in touch with your aunt – my mom, in fact you have a formal relationship with her for the past ten years. Right after you got out of college and found a job in Chicago. TONY (tensely) I don’t see anything strange in it? It’s America. NANCY. Yes, it’s America, but I am your closest relative. You live alone without much to worry about while I have a family, two kids for whose education I have to pay monthly. (pausing) By the way, they love you, even though you rarely spend any time with them… Tony…. Do you hear me? Tony glances at Nancy’s face, while thinking his own thoughts. TONY. Almost three million dollars. That’s insane. 4 INT. LAWYER’S OFFICE Tony is sitting at a desk, signing some papers. The lawyer is a funny, old, fat man wearing glasses, who is constantly taking out papers from the folder, having Tony sign them, and then puts them back in the folder. LAWYER: Congratulations! It was a pleasure to meet you. I never had a doubt that your grandpa had such a great grandson .You are so much like him. TONY (sarcastically) Sure… (looking down at the papers that he just signed).Does this mean I can pick up my money at the bank? LAWYER (smiling) Of course! The money is yours! TONY. And what? Tony keeps staring at the pile of papers he just signed. LAWYER (continuing to smile) There is one request in the will… TONY (raises his eyebrows in surprise). What request? LAWYER. You have to put a handful of soil on your grandfather’s grave for the will to become effective. TONY (shocked). What a strange request.. (to himself) it’s strange that grandpa predicted that I wouldn’t throw soil on his grave. (to the lawyer) For this kind of money, I would put a whole bucket of soil on his grave. Let him rest in peace, are there any other requests? Tony’s is clearly confused. LAWYER. No, it’s the only one. TONY (signs with relief) Well, it’s won’t be a problem. I will go to the cemetery right away and put soil on his grave, if it’s not enough for him having three tons of soil over his head. The lawyer stopped twirling the pen in his hand and looked strangely at Tony. Tony clearly sees that the lawyer is smiling just not to loose a client with money. His true feelings and thoughts about Tony are hidden behind his mask of politeness. LAWYER (leaning over Tony). You are a skeptical young man, but it’s your personal business. I have to wan you that not any kind of soil will work. You have to bring a handful of soil from your motherland, and only then you can receive the money. TONY (puzzled) He is a hundred percent American, and was born here. As far as I remember, the last couple of years of his life, he didn’t leave his house in the Chicago suburbs… What motherland are you talking about? LAWYER. Decades ago, your grandfather emigrated from Ukraine to Argentina, and then moved to USA. Your grandpa was a Ukrainian; therefore you have Ukrainian roots. TONY (nervous laughter) You must be kidding. What roots?? What Ukraine? I do recall child my mom telling me something about The Ukraine, but I never paid much attention to it. I have nothing in common with that country. Nothing! I am an independent person who was born and raised here in the US. My parents were born here. If you are talking about my home country, it’s here and not anywhere else.” LAWYER (calmly gesturing with his arms) I am not going to figure out your roots, or where you are from. All I can say is that your grandfather was Ukrainian, and there is no doubt that you are Ukrainian, at least genetically. Tony looks at the lawyer in shock. LAWYER. Didn’t anyone ever tell you where you came from, and who are your ancestors? TONY (getting himself together) I never thought much about nationality. Look out the window; it’s the twenty-first century. Let’s get back to the money. According to you I have to find that Ukraine on the map, fly there, and bring back a handful of soil, put it on my crazy grandfather’s grave, and only then I can get the money? LAWYER (carefully wiping his glasses with a handkerchief). Exactly. TONY. I wonder how will you know if I bring a handful of soil from Ukraine? LAWYER (putting on the glasses, and putting his handkerchief back in his pocket). I don’t need to know where it came from. All I need is a copy of your passport with a stamp that proves you passed the border. I don’t care if you go to The Ukraine for five minutes or for five years. All I need is the stamp in the passport. TONY (thoughtfully). Is there any other way I can receive the inheritance? So I wouldn’t have to fly that far. LAWYER (shaking his head). There is no other way. You should know that if you don’t bring the handful of soil in a year, then all the money goes to a charity. I have proof. Would you like to see them?” TONY (rising from the desk) No thank you. The money is mine, and I am going to receive it. I don’t really care about any funds. Do you have a map, by the way? LAWYER. Excuse me? TONY. The world map. I want to see where Ukraine is located. LAWYER. I am sorry, I don’t have it. There is a bookstore two blocks away, most likely they have it there. The lawyer gets up from his chair and walks Tony to the door. LAWYER. By the way… TONY (worried, raises his eyebrows) There is something else? Honestly, I am tired of surprises. LAWYER (calming Tony down) No nothing special. I don’t even have to say anything about it, since it doesn’t have anything to do with the will. But, I will say that when your grandfather was filling out the will, he said that you will gain something more important than a couple million dollars. Tony stopped at the door. TONY. What can it be? Jewelry? Diamonds? He left Ukraine, leaving treasures in Ukraine? LAWYER (sadly). I don’t know. He didn’t tell me the details, and I didn’t bother asking. INT. BOOKSTORE Tony is walking among the bookshelves. Looking at the world maps and globes. TONY. Excuse me (addressing a young saleswoman) Could you tell me where Ukraine is located? THE SALESWOMAN. I don’t know such a country, sorry. It might be located somewhere in South-West Asia. Tony and the young saleswoman are carefully studying the map. Tony (disappointed). It’s not there. A woman’s voice is heard behind the cash register. CASHIER. I think it’s one of the formal Soviet Union republics. Look there. Oksana Baul, a figure skater, is from there. THE SALESWOMAN. I will look through the directory. TONY (interrupting her with a hand gesture). You don’t have to. I found it (looks at the map) It’s south of Russia. Tony carelessly folds the map and puts it in his pocket, after paying for it. It’s clear that he doesn’t have any idea what to do next. An idea suddenly struck him, making him pick up the phone and quickly dial. A long beeps. Tony is begging to get nervous. TONY (moving away, not to disturb the other customers). Hello, Mom... I am sorry I didn’t stay with you after grandpa’s funeral…. I was so caught up with work… Don’t be mad…. Can I stop by?... Ok… I will be there soon… 6 INT. A TYPICAL ONE STORY, AMERICAN HOUSE. -OUTSIDE A neat one-bedroom house with a beautiful yard.. A middle-aged fragile woman is resting on an old worn out folding chair. When Tony pulls up to the house, the woman rises and heads toward him. TONY (surprisingly staring at the folding chair) Mom, I’ve driving here for two hours! And you waited for me, here on the front porch? TONY’S MOM (greeting) I am so glad to see you! You rarely come to visit. Together, they enter the house. Tony looks around the living room, as if he has never seen it before. A typical living room. Nothing reminds of Ukraine. TONY (uncertainly). Mom, I always wanted to ask you (slight pause). Why didn’t you ever tell me why grandpa didn’t like dad? TONY’S MOM (calmly) We were never officially married, and separated before you were born. Your father never seen you. And grandpa…. Grandpa always blamed me for not having a family. TONY. Why did dad leave you? TONY’S MOM (unwillingly). It just happened….. TONY. Where is he now? TONY’S MOM. He died last year, from cancer. TONY (flinching from surprise). And you never told me? TONY”S MOM (pain in her voice) Tony, you are always busy! Last year, you didn’t even call to wish me a happy birthday. You never wondered about your dad. Well, he never wondered about you either….. TONY (after a short pause). What nationality was my father? TONY’S MOM. Ukrainian. He was from the family of immigrants, just like me. TONY (suddenly turning to face his mom). Mom, why didn’t you ever tell me about our family’s past; about The Ukraine, for example? Why didn’t you ever point out to me that we are Ukrainian? And why does it matter who we are?” TONY’S MOM (tired, shrugs her shoulders). It happened this way. There were too many painful memories connected to The Ukraine. I was never there. We were all born here in America. Our home is here, even though life wasn’t easy. When you work from morning to night, there is no time for memories. …..You finished college, and you have a stable and respectable job in the aircraft industry. When I was your age, it was really hard for us. I couldn’t even dream of college. I clearly remember times when people who came to America a little bit earlier than us treated us like second-class citizens. Thanks to your grandpa, my father, we never had to experience poverty. But I remember very well what it means to be poor.” TONY. What about grandma? Your mom? TONY’S MOM. She died when I was three years old. Grandpa was really depressed because he couldn’t give me a good education. He often said that his grandson would graduate from one of the best colleges or universities. It happened that way. All of us worked hard so you could get a good education, and you didn’t want to learn. TONY (apologetically). I didn’t know. TONY’S MOM. I don’t blame you. Like other immigrant families, we spent too much time working and too little time with our children. It was our mistake. Work in the name of a child and almost never spend time with that child because of work… TONY (confidently, after a pause). I am not an immigrant. I am not Ukrainian, and I don’t have anything to do with Ukrainian, (proudly). I am an American! I was born here, and so where you! TONY’S MOM. I also used to think that way. Tony, the USA is a country of immigrants. Some people came recently; some came a lot earlier. This is a wonderful land that took in immigrants from totally different countries and nationalities. Whether you like it or not, you are also from an immigrant family. You look like a typical American, but Ukrainian blood flows in your veins. Camera skims down the walls of the living room, stopping on the lit candle by grandpa’s photograph. TONY. Mom, why did grandpa leave? TONY’S MOM (while she is talking scenes from the past emerge). It was really hard for them in Ukraine. Your grandfather was the oldest of the three children in the family. First, his father went to work in Argentina. After a year, he sent money so the family could come and live with him. Your great-grandmother sold everything she had, but there wasn’t enough money to buy everyone a ticket. Your grandmother gathered all the children and told Grandpa. «There are four of us, you, me and your younger sisters. If we all stay, we will die from famine. We have a chance of survival only if we leave. There isn’t enough money for all of, so someone has to stay. Your sisters are too young, and I think you should stay here. You have to stay alive and wait until we gather money for you to fly to America» They left. Grandpa stayed. After about two years, his parents sent him enough money to join the family in Argentina.” Grandpa’s eyes seemed to look out at Tony from the framed photograph with a candle’s flame burning by it. For a second Tony felt that he was being watched. TONY. Mom, how old was grandpa when they left him? TONY’S MOM. He was a little older than ten; almost eleven. TONY (shocked). How did he manage to live those two years? TONY’S MOM. I don’t know. He never told me. In general, people said that monks from Kiev-Pechersk Monastery helped him survive. Grandpa, as far as I remember, was a very religious man. He often said that you couldn’t run away from yourself and your fate. I remember when I was having hard times he said «Never be sorry for what you lose. Life is built this way; it consists of loss and gain. Whatever happens you have to remember that something that’s truly yours will never be taken away from you. Do everything you can, and let your fate do the rest» (after a pause). Later the family moved from Argentina to the United States. I was born in New York, and then we moved to the north of the country. We didn’t talk about the country of our origin. Too many tears and too much pain were connected to Ukrainian land. I don’t know why grandpa wants you to go back there, but that’s exactly what he put in his will. I am glad he did.” TONY. Why? TONY’S MOM. I thought that there was no connection between the two of you. However, the will shows that he thought about you and had faith in you. TONY (thoughtfully rubbing his head). Two years between life and death… He had such a slight chance of survival…Do you know anyone who can tell me more about that period of his life? TONY’S MOM. There is no one to ask.” Mom shook her head. “No one is alive anymore. Something stayed there in Ukraine, something that he was trying to reach his whole life, something that was calling him and didn’t let him go until his last minute… TONY. What are you talking about? TONY’S MOM. I am afraid. I have a feeling that it’s not you who is going to Ukraine, but your grandpa returning there in your body. Tony is clearly puzzled with what he just heard. He didn’t expect such turn of events. TONY. The lawyer told me a strange thing. As if I will receive something more valuable than the money. Can you explain it to me? Where can I find it? What did Grandpa mean? TONY’S MOM (looking away). I have no idea. I think you will find out for yourself after visiting Ukraine. Tony’s mom leaves the room, and comes back after a short while carrying a cardboard box. TONY’S MOM. Here, take this with you. This is all that I have left from your grandfather. Here are some pictures and papers; pieces from his life. Maybe some of this will be useful. By the way, did you ever wonder why we named you Tony? TONY (puzzled). No. I remember, when I was a child, we lived on a street with a lot of Italians. I thought that’s where I inherited my name. TONY’S MOM. No. It’s because that’s what Grandpa insisted,” Mother said as she put the cardboard box on the table in front of Tony. “He gave you this name. It comes from a Latin name, Antony, which means ‘to join the battle.’ Grandpa used to say that the heart of The Ukraine is Kiev, and the heart of Kiev is the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, established by Saint Antony Pechersky. We named you in honor of this wise man. Are you staying for dinner with me? Tony (shook his head). Maybe next time. I have to go. Thanks, Mom. Mother and son went outside—a frail, petite woman and a strong, handsome man with a cardboard box in his hands. TONY’S MOM (devastated) Tony, I don’t know if this is for the best. I beg you, please, think before you go. I am worried. No one knows what can happen to you in that country. TONY (smiling reassuring) Don’t worry. Nothing can happen to me. I will fly to The Ukraine only for a couple of days, just for the sake of money. I spit on everything else. I’ll be back in Chicago faster than you can turn around. Tony gets in his car. His mom is nervously looking after him. When the car disappeared from sight, burning tears, run from her exhausted eyes. A lonely woman is silently crying on an empty street. TONY”S MOM. You think, you can find something in Ukraine? That something is looking for you, and you can’t change it. INT. TONY’S HOME. Tony carefully unfolds the world map, which he bought at the bookstore and places it on the floor. Then he brings the card box his mother gave him and also places it on the floor. Tony stops thinking about what actions he should take. A phone call brings him back to the present. TONY. Hello… Caroline… Hi darling. No, I am a little busy today. I will call you tomorrow. Tony’s gaze stops on the cardboard box. In one fast motion, he rips the tape off and turns the box over, spilling the contents onto the map. Tony sits crossing his legs, and examines the contents of the box. Old yellow photos of who are probably long gone; postcards with landscapes of Kiev featuring pictures that must have been taken before the revolution; a bus card; a broken button. These things were indeed pieces of a past life, just like his mom had said. They were useless things, each one holding memories from the past. They were garbage for most, but treasure for someone who kept them. Tony continued examining the contents of the box. Tony’s intuition told him that somewhere in all this junk there would be an answer to his question about what he would find in The Ukraine that would be more valuable than three million dollars, according to his grandpa’s will. Under the pictures lay an old map that he hadn’t noticed at first. It was a small, carefully folded piece of sun-faded paper. Tony wondered if this could hold the answer he had been looking for, but he was disappointed to find that it was a common tour map of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery from the beginning of the last century. Not one mark with a pen or a pencil had been made on the map. Tony looked at it carefully from different angles. It was a map just like any other; there was nothing new or interesting about it. It began to rain. A sudden burst of wind hit the window. Dangerous vibe. Tony feels as if a shadow is gliding down the walls behind his back. Footsteps… It can’t be. It’s the echo of the rain hitting the top of the roof and breaking on the ground. A sound of broken glass erupts from the kitchen. TONY. Who is here? Tony jumps from his place and rushes into the kitchen. No one… The dishes are fine. It’s a small window that broke from a sudden burst of wind. Glass litters the kitchen floor. Tony carefully picks up pieces of broken glass, throws them in the garbage, and returns to the living room. Wiping his hands with a towel, Tony noticed that he had cut himself while picking up the glass. Drops of blood fell on the world map right on The Ukraine. INT. The Ukrainian Consulate in Chicago - OUTSIDE An old, beautiful, three-story brick building in the center of the city at the intersection of East Huron and North State Streets. A flagpole stands behind a small iron fence painted black. On the pole the yellow and blue Ukrainian flag flaps from the wind. INT. The Ukrainian Consulate in ChICAGO – INSIDE The actual consulate is located in the basement. Tony goes down the stairs, and enters a small room with a low ceiling. There are some chairs and a table in the middle of the room. A few people had gathered around a window. Tony stands in line. CUT TO. TONY AT THE WINDOW. TONY. I would like to receive a Ukrainian visa. CONSUL. Business or private? TONY. Private. Consul paces papers through the window. CONSUL Please fill out this form. Point out who you are going to visit, where you will live and include a copy of the invitation from the other side. TONY (thoughtfully). I don’t have an invitation. CONSUL. Then at least state who you are going to visit and why? TONY (uncertainly spread his arms). I don’t have anyone in Ukraine. CONSUL. Then why are you going? TONY. Just to explore the country, I guess. Consul (tired, signing) Sir, you don’t need a private visa, you need a tourist one. From what I understand, this will be your first visit to Ukraine? TONY. That’s correct. CONSUL. I suggest that you go to a travel agency. Before we can grant you a visa, you need to establish where you will be living, what your route will be, and who will accept you on the other side. After that, you can come back to us. Next! TONY (worried) Wait, can you give me the address of a travel agency that works with the countries of Eastern Europe? Drops of swear appear on Tony’s forehead. He realizes that he might loose his change of receiving Ukrainian visa at all. CONSUL. Check the shelf left from the entrance. Next! INT. THE OFFICE OF THE TRAVEL AGENCY. TONY. Excuse me; I would like to visit Ukraine. A HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. For how long? TONY (thoughtfully) I don’t know for sure, yet. Maybe two to five days. HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN (actively clasped her hands). Why so short? The company we work with in Ukraine is one of the best Ukrainian companies. Everything will be organized to the best of our abilities. We will even include the transfer from Borispol to the hotel in Kiev. We will also arrange tours around the city. TONY. What is Borispol? HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. It’s the Ukrainian airport you will arrive to. The most important gates to the country. There will be switch of planes in Frankfurt-in-Maine. There is no point to spent two days on the flight and only be in the country for a couple of days. Ukraine has a lot of museums, very beautiful churches - Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, for example. TONY (worried) Excuse me? HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. Monastery, and what? A shadow slid down the walls behind Tony’s back. The feeling of worry. Tony suspiciously looks around. TONY. Nothing, just wondering? The woman opened a brochure and pointed to a colorful advertisement of Ukraine. HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. You need to go at least for a week, maybe for two weeks. It will be a little more expensive, but you will get a lot of fun and pleasure from the trip. Maybe you want to see something besides Kiev? For example, if you are interested in architecture, then we can include a tour of Lvov, a pretty nice city. Ok? TONY. No thanks. Just Kiev. What about my visa? HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. There is nothing to worry about. Our company is made so you wouldn’t have to think about anything. Just relax. We will organize everything, including the visa. So what do you say? Tony confidently nods. While the woman is filling out some papers, Tony looks through the brochures. Cut to the woman taking money of Tony’s credit card. Cut to the woman walking Tony to the door. HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. I am sure you will be one of our regular clients. When the door closed behind Tony, the woman happily rubbed her hands together, looking after him through the glass door. VOICE (behind the scene) How did it go? HEAVY MIDDLE AGED WOMAN (grinning) I booked a flight for that fool for two weeks. 10. INT. UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LIBRARY Tony is sitting with his glasses in front of the computer. A pile of books, brochures and magazines about Ukraine lie on the table. Tony is looking at the screen and through his glasses Ukrainian history evolves. CUT TO: revolution, famine, war, perestroika—or economic restructuring—the breakup of the USSR followed by years of bloody conflicts. A young pretty librarian (most likely a college student) approaches his table. LIBRARIAN. Would you like me to look for anything else regarding Ukraine? TONY (taking of his glasses). No, thank you. LIBRARIAN. Is everything Ok? TONY (wiping his glasses and putting them back on). Yes… Of course… (concentrating on the computer screen) I can’t understand one thing. After receiving its independence and rejecting socialism in 1991, The Ukraine should have started to develop, like Poland, for example. But that didn’t happen. Instead, in the first ten years of its independence, the Ukrainian population decreased by more than four million people. And that was during a time when there weren’t any wars, famine or epidemics. I can’t understand what is happening there. Why is the nation dying? LIBRARIAN (shrugging her shoulders). This is nothing strange. A lot of African countries kicked out Caucasian people and started killing each other after receiving their independence. It knocked their development back a couple thousand years. TONY (reproachfully). But Ukraine isn’t an African country. It’s located in the center of Europe, (slight pause) but for some reason it isn’t called European. Young librarian steps away from the table leaving Tony. Thoughtfully leafing through the book with landscapes, scenery and Ukrainian churches, Tony’s gaze stops on Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. 11. INT. TONY’S HOME Tony is packing for his trip, neatly putting his cloth into a sports bag. Tony carefully puts the papers, photos from the cardboard box into a different package and places them on the bottom of the suitcase CUT TO Zoom in: Tony puts the envelope containing the papers the travel agency gave him together with his visa and credit card and places them in the inside pocket of his jacket. Phone call. TONY. Yes dear. I am leaving soon… No Caroline, you don’t have to accompany me… I will call you once I arrive… 12. INT. CHICAGO AIRPORT Tony is in line to check in his luggage. CHICAGO AIRPORT SECURITY GUARD. Excuse me Sir, (cautiously looking at Tony’s luggage) Your bag is too big to be a carry on. You will have to check it as luggage, TONY (surprised). The bag is half empty and there is nothing that can interest you. I always fly with this bag, and there is never a problem. Never. I’ve already checked in my suitcase. CHICAGO AIRPORT SECURITY GUARD. I am sorry; it looks like you will have to check in this bag. You will be able to claim your luggage in Kiev. Irritated Tony bends down to open the bag and take out some magazines. to read on the plane. His jacket slips from his hands and falls on the floor. Tony bites his lip to keep from cursing. Tony automatically takes out the magazines and puts his jacket in the bag. TONY (pacing his luggage). Is there anything else wrong? CHICAGO AIRPORT SECURITY GUARD (politely returning Tony’s tickets and his passport). No, nothing else. CUT TO Tony’s suitcase and his sports bag are disappearing in luggage screening behind Chicago airport security guard’s back. 13. INT. INSIDE THE AIRPLANE The airplane is shaking as it’s flying over the Atlantic Ocean. “Fasten your seat belts” sign keeps flashing above Tony’s head. Tony looks out the window then comments a flight attendant who is passing by. TONY. It’s shaking more than usual… Is everything ok? FLIGHT ATTENDANT (soothingly). Yea…. It always shakes a lot when we fly to Europe. Right now we are flying over the North-Atlantic range located deep in the Atlantic. Disturbed Tony is looking out the window. On the other side of the window there is nothing but a pitch-black night. 14. INT. BORISPOL AIRPORT Tony’s passport is stamped. He is in a good mood, observing the airport and waiting for his luggage to arrive. Zoom in: Clock on the wall. Zoom out: Passengers are claiming their luggage and leaving, while Tony continued to stand buy baggage claim carrousel, impatiently waiting for his luggage. Zoom in: Clock, showing that a couple of hours have passed since Tony arrived. INT. BAGGAE CLAIM DESK Confused Tony walks to the airline representative and is about to hand her his passport and ticket. The airplane representative is a middle aged woman. MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. Just a minute, sir. Tony sights with relief. He is sure that his luggage is found and he will soon be able to claim it. Airline representative hands Tony a sheet of paper. TONY (surprised). What is this for? MIDDEL AGED WOMAN. Here is our telephone number. Call us tomorrow (pause) or after tomorrow, and we will let you know when you will be able to come and receive your luggage. TONY (suffocating from anger). What do you mean ‘tomorrow or after tomorrow’? All of my valuables are in those bags. MIDDLE AGED WOMAN (Soothingly). Don’t worry, because you switched planes in Frankfurt, most likely your luggage was lost there. It will be delivered to you on the next flight. TONY. When is the next flight? MIDDEL AGED WOMAN. As I stated before, it will be tomorrow or after tomorrow. TONY. I don’t understand. What do you mean when you say ‘delivered?’ Are you saying that I have to stay without my luggage? MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. Why would you think that? Usually, we find everything, and you will not only receive your luggage, but also a compensation for it, as it states in the airport policy…. (nodding somewhere to the side). TONY (extremely irritated). What, because of this paper with your telephone number, I have to stay here the whole day? I demand a meeting with your administrator MIDDLE AGED WOMAN (surprised). As if you never lost your luggage back in America… (calmly continuing) The book of complaints and offerings is in the hands of another administrator. Next! TONY (confidently). I demand an immediate meeting with your administrator! MIDDLE AGED WOMAN. No problem. You can come tomorrow around nine, since working hours are over for today. Tony leaves the desk and walks toward the hall. A few people come up to him asking, “taxi” but Tony brushed them off as if they are a swarm of annoying flies. Upset Tony looks at his watch. It’s clear that he doesn’t know what to do. CUT TO: LATE EVENING A young man with the sign that reads “Intertur” is quickly walking to exit the airport while talking on the phone. TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESANTATIVE. He hasn’t arrived, yet… How much longer do I have to wait? I’ve been in this damn airport the entire day! He has all the contact information… He didn’t bother to call you? They probably delayed his flight, and didn’t even bother to inform us… Those foreigners. I am leaving… Bye… Travel agency representative walks right past Tony as he exits the airport. CUT TO. THE BUFFET AT THE AIRPORT – LATE EVENING Tony suddenly realizes that he is extremely hungry. Noticing a buffet nearby, he orders coffee and a hamburger. He reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket and suddenly realizes that his jacket isn’t on him. Only then he remembers that in all the craziness of the day he put his jacket inside his luggage. Horrified he realizes that the phone number of the travel agency, and most importantly - his beloved credit card is now lost with his luggage. Tony looks through his pant pockets and finds a couple of dollars. He hands them to the cashier. WOMAN AT THE CASH REGISTER (nodding towards the sign that states “currency exchange is currently closed”). We don’t take dollars! National pride is heard in the woman’s voice. Puzzles Tony looks at the closed currency exchange kiosk. Everything is closed, and there is nowhere Tony can change his currency. Once again Tony attempts to give dollars to the cashier. After a couple of persuasive words she takes it. Tony raises his eyebrows looking at the unbelievable price for his order. The woman calmly extends her hand to return his money, showing that he will loose either way. WOMAN AT THE CASH REGISTER. Don’t like it? Then first change it into grivna and then come back! Tony waves her off and takes his coffee and hamburger, slowly heading for a nearby table. He looks over the receipt, changing grivna into dollars and then dollars into grivna in his mind. He looks at the unfinished hamburger with disgust and throws the check away TONY. And they say this country is poor! This price is even higher than in Las Vegas!” Tony stands up from his table and headed for the exit. EXT. BORISPOL AIRPORT A taxi driver stops by Tony. TAXI DIRVER: Taxi? Kiev? Cheap! TONY. How much? TAXI DRIVER. Do you have a lot of bags? TONY. None. TAXI DRIVER (looking at Tony). It’s even cheaper without the bags. Only fifty US dollars. Tony takes out his money. After dinner, he only has eighty dollars left. He got really lucky considering that all of his money is on credit cards. TONY. Thanks, but I am not going anywhere. TAXI DRIVER. Then, for twenty. Only for you, and only because I am going home and we are going the same way TONY (waiving off the taxi driver). How do you even know if we are heading the same way?” Tony walks away from the road and the airport. Instead of concrete he can already feel the grass under his feet. Somewhere there in front of him the sound of lunching airplanes is heard. Somewhere there lays a completely obscure city where he has never been before. He is in a foreign country with strange scents, sounds, stars above his head. Tony raises his head and looks into the abyss of stars. Not one person knows him here. Here in this country, no one was waiting for him, and no one will. Tony wonders if he should go to the city. Where is he going to go and how is he going to pay for transportation? What are his options? Surprisingly, Tony didn’t feel despair, irritation, or worry. He felt peace and that really surprised him. He had a calm feeling of comfort, like a baby awakened from a bad dream finding comfort in his mother’s arms. Tony bent down and picked up a handful of soil. A huge silhouette of an airplane passed over the trees behind his back. For one short, bright moment, he suddenly felt that he touched something very meaningful; something that is capable of changing his life forever. 15. INT. BORISPOL AIRPORT A group of young ladies exits the airport. They had just finished their night shift and are very happy to be going home. A worn out minivan is waiting for them by the entrance. Tony passes right by that minivan. GENIA (laughing). Oh girls, look! Man! Alone! Hey! Genia is waiving to Tony. Surprised Tony doesn’t understand anything besides the fact that someone acknowledged his presence and is waiving to him. TONY. Hey! GENIA. Look girls, he isn’t ours, a foreigner. Where are you from, handsome? SVETA. I wonder what country he is from. TANIA. Why are you alone? TONY. They lost me. SVETA. What do you mean, they lost you? What did you lose, a suitcase? TONY. The airline lost the suitcase, and while I was looking for my luggage, they lost me. TANIA. Then call them. TONY. I can’t. Their phone number is in my jacket, and my jacket is in my bag. TANIA. Then what are you waiting here for? TONY (obvious look). My luggage . SVETA (surprised). When is it going to arrive? TONY. According to them, it should be here tomorrow or after tomorrow. Young women laughed. SVETA. Are you planning on standing here like a monument until tomorrow…. GENIA. Listen, handsome, there is no need for you to stay here. Come with us to Kiev. By the way, (nodding toward Tania) today is Tanusha’s birthday. And we are missing a hottie like you. TONY (puzzled). A birthday in Kiev, but I don’t have any money. My credit card is in the bag that is lost with the rest of my luggage. That is why I am still standing here. I only have eighty dollars on me… GENIA. It will be enough for vodka and Champaign, and I have sweets at home. (turning to the minivan driver) Hey Sania, stop by a corner store on the way home. Everywhere enters the car. 16. INT. TOP FLOOR OF A TYPICAL ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT Tony looks with interest and surprise at the poor conditions of Genia’s apartment. Genia lights the candles, turns on some music. The party turned into some unexpected orgy and Tony is lying nude with three young women. EXT. TOP FLOOR OF A TYPICAL ONE BEDROOM APARMTMENT…. Through a huge window, on the other shore of Dnieper, there is destination of Tony’s journey. In the abyss of the night rising above human pleasure and worries, shine the domes of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. 17. INT. NIGHT An abrupt phone call. A lit lamp by the bed. Viewers can guess that the sleepy man is the driver of the minivan. VOICE IN THE PHONE. Sashka, what did you do with my wife? Sashka (yawning). What? She didn’t get home yet? VOICE IN THE PHONE. You were the one who dropped them off after their night shift! Weren’t you? Sashka (irritated). Why are you yelling at me? As usual, I went where they told me to go. Some foreigner picked up Genka and Svetka, so they all went to Genka’s house. VOICE IN THE PHONE. Where is Tania then? SASHKA. What do you mean where? Obviously with them, where else would she be? 18. INT.GENIA”S APARTMENT Sound of the doorbell. SVETA (popping out under Tony’s arm). Genka, who a hell is there? GENIA. Probably the neighbors, who else? Our music always bothers them and doesn’t let them sleep. The doorbell continuous to ring. Genka lazily takes the chain off the door and turns the lock. The door flies open so sharply that Genka is thrown back against the wall. A tall, furious man barges into the apartment. TANIA’S HUSBAND. Where is Tania? Genia slumps onto the floor; GENIA (hysterically yelling). Tania, your husband is here! Tania’s husband is already in the bedroom. Svetka swiftly hides under the coffee table and Tania screams as if someone is killing her. CUT TO: Instead of hot girls, Tony now sees a furious face of a man, and something heavy lands between his eyes. TANIA’S HUSBAND. You bastard think that you can buy innocent girls and have sex with them for your dirty dollars! The heavy item was clearly Tania’s husband’s fist. Instinctively, Tony takes an empty bottle off the table and hits the stranger on the head. The bottle shatters and a stream of blood appears and runs down the man’s forehead. TANIA’S HUSBAND. You scratched me! You bastard! The man screamed and continues to beat Tony with renewed energy as Tony, who is lying on the dirty floor, tries to defend himself with his legs. INT. HOSPITAL Svetka and Genia are sitting by Tony drinking beer from the bottle and watching how the nurse cast a spell over his head. TONY (worried). What’s going to happen to Mrs. Tania? GENIA (carelessly)What do you mean ‘what?’ Absolutely nothing. All of their lives, they fight then make up. Now they will get home, have sex and will fall asleep hugging each other. Tania’s husband is a professional boxer. SVETA (sadly). They love each over… Not like my Genka, who didn’t even slap me last year when I gave him AIDS. GENIA. Yea, he is a wimp. Nothing compared to Tania’s man, or him… (nodding at Tony). Just look at his swollen lips. Listen, (turning to Tony), take me with Svetka back to America. We will make Ukrainian borsch for you. Do you know how tasty our borsch is? It has so many vitamins! It has more vitamins than any medicine in the world! The girls are giggling. The nurse understands a little English but tries to hide her smiles trying to act serious and minding her business. VOICE OF THE FIRST POLIECEMAN. Where is the injured foreigner? As if ordered, Genia and Setae rise. GENIA (whispering) The only thing we need now is a policeman! SVETA (worried) Where in the hell did he come from? We have enough problems as it is. GENIA (reproachfully) Those people in white coats. They are instructed to call the cops.(pause) Hey, Tony, stay strong! Your wounds aren’t deadly—they will heal until by the time you get married. Men look even more handsome with scars. We didn’t leave you when you needed someone; we brought you to the hospital. Isn’t that right, Svetka?” Svetka nodded her head. Genia opens the door SVETA. We have to get home. Our shift starts soon. Tony thankfully waves to them. Young woman cautiously make their way pass the policemen and dissolve in hospital corridors. 20. INT. POLICE STATION Covered in bandages terrified Tony is sitting at the small table, sadly watching the peeling walls in the room that smells like smoke. He is looking up at the sign above his head that said: “Все силы на борьбу с преступностью”, which translates to, “We put all of our power together to fight with criminals.” Tony doesn’t understand Russian. Policemen don’t understand English. FIRST POLICEMAN. What are we supposed to do with him? SECOND POLICEMAN. How the hell am I supposed to know? We don’t need him here, that’s for sure. He could get us into some international scandal. Why did you bring him here in the first place? FIRST POLICEMAN. What was I suppose to do with him? Leave him on the street? SECOND POLICEMAN. Does he have anything else besides his tickets and a passport? FIRST POLICEMAN. A handkerchief, watch and two dollars. SECOND POLICEMAN (thoughtfully). Hmmm… Is he planning on filing any complaints? You know… regarding the beating, and stolen wallet. FIRST POLICEMAN. Neh… He only wants to get out of here. He probably wants to go back there where they scare them with stories of concentration camps. SECOND POLCIMAN. Where are those two whores who were with him? FIRST POLICEMAN. Who knows? They probably went home. Where else would they go? SECOND POLICEMAN. And what? We don’t have their addresses or telephone numbers? Where did they come from in the first place? FIRST POLICEMAN. God knows where. SECOND POLICEMAN. Damn, this incident can spoil our reputation and statistics…. FIRST POLICEMAN. Maybe we should just take him to the airport and let him go. Maybe he got lost from a group of tourists and will recognize someone there. Just listen to him. He only repeats two words—‘airplane’ and ‘Borispol. Our Borispol. So what do you say? CUT TO. Armed policemen grab terrified Tony. Holding him by both arms two policeman lead him to a police van. Tony has no idea where they are taking him. It seems to him that he will be driven out of town to be killed without any witnesses. That’s what he read on the Internet before leaving Chicago. The two policemen looks at each other amused and look at Tony. FIRST POLICEMAN. And they say they have freedom of democracy in America! What a lie! This guy had barely stepped off of the airplane before and already drank in Slovenian traditions and slept with hookers. He forgot everything else. He can’t even remember which hotel he’s staying in or where he left his things. You can tell that they have a stricter way of life than we do. One step to the left and he can be accused of sexual abuse over there. I heard it all on the TV. I can’t even imagine how they can live there. And, you see, he came here and started acting like an actual human being. 21. INT. BORISPOL AIRPORT A MIDDLE AGED WOMAN (curiously looking at Tony’s face). You see, nothing happened to your luggage. And you were worried. Tony quietly collects his things and moved aside. He promptly opened his bag and takes out his jacket. Signing with relief. He find his credit card along with the telephone numbers of the tourist agency, whose representative was supposed to meet him at the airport yesterday. CUT TO. AT THE PHONE BOOTH. Tony is nervously dialing the number for the tourist agency. He is worried that whoever answered only knows Ukrainian or Russian, the common languages that are spoken in Ukraine. Zoom in. A clock Tony is waiting at the airport. Visions of the night before, like bright sparks, appear before his eyes: women’s laughter; the orgy; all those arms and legs; the alcohol rising in his head like lava in a volcano; strange faces of men and women; a fight with the furious man; hospital’ the fetid police department; his lost luggage. A voice brings Tony back to reality. TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESANTATIVE. Tony? A young man is walking towards Tony with the sign that reads “Intertur”. TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE. We are waiting for you since yesterday. Why didn’t you tell us that you flight was delayed? Then you wouldn’t have to wait for so EXT. BORISPOL AIRPORT
22. INT. INSIDE THE HOTEL ROOM. - NIGHT Tony opens his eyes. At first he can’t understand where he is or how he got here. He is in an unfamiliar room in the middle of the night surrounded by unfamiliar scents, visions, in an uncomfortable bed. Tony props himself up on his elbows and shakes his head to wake himself up. Just that little bit of movement causes him tremendous pain and reminds him of a fight with a furious man. That memory brings him back to reality. INT. IN THE SHOWER Tony takes a shower, puts his cloth on and heads down to the hotel lobby. He finds an open bar. INT. HOTEL BAR - At the bar-stand. TONY (yelling trying to be heard over the loud music). Cup of coffee. Coffee Finally the bartender hears him, but all of a sudden a hard push in the shoulders almost knocks Tony off his feet. A young man with a glass ob beer abruptly turns around, and looks at Tony in surprise. STRANGER FROM TAXES (with a strong Western accent). I am sorry. I tumbled. TONY. It’s Ok. STRANGER FROM TAXES. Are you from United States? TONY. Yea, I am from Chicago, Illinois. STRANGER FROM TAXES. It’s a beautiful city. Home to Al Capone! am from Texas. How long have you been in Ukraine? TONY. This is my second day. What about you? STRANGER FROM TAXES. Seven years. Fairyland country! Slovenian women are the most fascinating women in the world! TONY (startled). Seven years? How can you live here? The economy is at zero! STRANGER FROM TAXES (carelessly waiving him off). Come on, they have more Mercedes here than in any other country in Western Europe. Let me tell ya, fella, this here economy is only at zero for people who don’t have any common sense. In America, everybody thinks that if you get a 10 percent return every year, then they’re doin’ alright. But let me tell you, for every dollar I invest in this country, I gain five! If you get bored, you can always come join us! We’re at that table over yonder. Stranger from Taxes disappears in the crowd . INT. OUT ON THE STREET – NIGHT Tony is walking down the streets of Kiev, along with some loving couples. He feels as an outsider in this country. Caroline’s face appears. Tony feels a sharp stab of loneliness and decides to go back to his hotel room. INT. TONY’S HOTEL ROOM Tony dials someone’s number. TONY. Caroline? Carrie? Is it you? CAROLINE”S VOICE. Tony, darling. Is everything ok? Why didn’t you even bother to call me as soon as you arrived? TONY (blushing). I couldn’t. I got caught up with everything. Sorry. I kept thinking about you. CAROLINE’S VOICE. How are you? How is Ukraine? TONY. A country like any other, I am planning to come back to America in a couple of days. CAROLINE’S VOICE. How is the weather over there? Is it cold? TONY (thoughtfully). Warm. Almost like Chicago. My hotel is on the shore of the Dnieper River. It flows right through the center of Kiev, cutting it into two halves. Everything seems so different here. CAROLINE’S VOICE. Is it like a whole different planet? You will let me know once you get back. Tony, I miss you. Come back as fast as you can, do you hear me? Tony doesn’t answer. He thoughtfully watches as the sun rises over Kiev, trying to figure out what is happening to him. INT. HOTEL LOBBY – MORNING Tony is with the representative from the travel agency. TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE. I brought you different prospects here. A list of tours which we would like to offer you. Don’t think that if you buy tours individually it will cost less. They always give good discounts if you are with our company. TONY (carelessly). Thanks, I will think about it and maybe give you a call. TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE. Maybe you are thinking about switching to a more beneficial currency or sell something? I can help… TONY (unimpressed). . I am not really interested in any of it. I was just wondering if it’s true that that there is a high percentage of income invested in business in your country, compared to foreign countries. TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE. In Ukraine, there is a same period now as it was in USA in the time of assimilation of Wild West. You are a smart person, and you know that bigger profits are made during changes. It’s with you in America, everything is figured out, checked a hundred times; and here is a perfect time for business here. Would you like to invest money in some interesting project in Ukraine? TONY (uncertain). Maybe… TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE. I have friends who are really good businessmen. I will organize a meeting for you. Tony slightly nods his head. TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE. What about the tour? TONY. I told you that I will call. 24. INT. AT THE ENTRANCE OF KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY. TONY. May I order an individual tour here at the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery? CASHIER. Of course! But you will have to wait until one of our tour guides will be free. TONY. I am not in a hurry. Cashier takes Tony’s money and writes out a receipt. It’s clear that Tony is feeling a little irritated. Everything was so dull and ordinary here. He had walked to this monastery like ancient, pilgrim crusaders walked to Jerusalem. His heart was beating crazily when he entered the gates of this ancient place of worship. Kiev-Pechersk Monastery - the goal of his journey. He was supposed to solve the secret meaning of the will here. Tony was waiting to feel something unusual and unique; but in reality, he was just one of the tourists that came to explore this ancient ground. There was nothing extraordinary at the entrance with the sign that reads “THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST.” Tony had no reason to stay in this country. Maybe there was no secret meaning in the will, just a whish of an insane grandpa who knew he wouldn’t be buried on his motherland. VOICE BEHIND HIS BACK. Did you order an individual tour in the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. Tony turns around, and faces a fragile young woman. TONY. Yes….. VERA (friendly) My name is Vera, and I am going to tell you all about Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. CUT TO. Tony and Vera are walking on the paths of Kiev Pechersk Monastery. VERA. Don’t pay attention that it’s not as luxurious as you are probably used to,” she said, as if reading the doubt in Tony’s eyes. “Don’t just look at the outside of this building. Try to feel the spirit of the saints. Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, or The Monastery of the Kiev Caves, is a wonderful place in the world. There are twenty-two churches on its territory. Architecturally, the complex of the monastery is included in the enumeration of the most valuable monuments by UNESCO. For a long time during the Soviet Union, parts of the monastery were not used the way they were supposed to be. The communist ideology said that no other religions were needed. They turned this sacred place into a museum. It was a time of persecution of religion, churches, and all of Ukrainian culture. Communists understood that they couldn’t control the Ukrainian nation unless they destroyed the spirit and belief; but they couldn’t destroy this sacred place and turn it into some museum. Kiev-Pechersk Monastery survived, and so did Ukraine. TONY. You said that we could see relics of the saints. Are the relics of Antony, the founder of the monastery, here? VERA. Of course they are here, but you won’t be able to see them. He was the first one to be buried here in 1073. Antony was a founder of Rus’ monarchism, and he was also a founder of Kiev Monastery of the Caves. TONY (thoughtfully). A thousand years have passed since then… VERA. When you are here, it feels as if everything I am telling you about happened just yesterday. TONY (voice trembling). Vera, did I understand you correctly? I can see relics of other saints, but not those of Saint Antony?” VERA. It’s all because Saint Antony left a will that said that his remains couldn’t be seen by anybody after his death. Monks fulfilled the will exactly how he asked. In ancient chronicles it says that in the last years, Antony rarely went out of his cave. After the saint died, the cave was immured. No one ever saw Antony dead; that’s what they say…. TONY. How strange. Is it really possible that in a thousand years, nobody tried to disclose the grave? VERA. No. Why would they? Communists had no time for Antony’s grave. Monks didn’t need to see to believe (slight pause). Although, I heard that there was an attempt to disclose the grave of Antony, but it turned out useless. I don’t remember who exactly got the permission of the church; but when they started to open the grave, water streamed from the opening they made, although everyone assumed that water wasn’t supposed to be there. Water started to submerge the cave, and all the work was stopped. Monks said that it was a sign from above. TONY (worried). What happened next? VERA. The opening was immured again. The water left, and everyone who tried to open the burial finished tragically. TONY. What do you mean ‘finished tragically? VERA. I don’t know. That’s just what they say. If you want, I can find out for you. TONY. Tell me, can I see the relics of Antony? VERA. Of course, that’s where we are heading. Blending with a crowd of tourists Vera and Tony entered the caves. 25. INT. THE CAVE – ANTONY PECHERSK’S TOMB One candle lights the cave. Tony carefully observes the icon of the saint by the place of his burial. (Alarming vibe) TONY. It’s strange. I think I have seen these eyes somewhere. I have seen that same look, to be exact. The flame of the candle reflects in Vera’s eyes. She looks at the icon, fascinated, as if it’s her first time seeing it. VERA. This place has a very strong energy. Powerful energetic streams flow through it. There are no more than a couple tens of places like this on the entire planet. Something happens here that strengthens people’s sense, making them hear things they never heard before. TONY. D you really believe in it? VERA. And you don’t? Their eyes met. The flame from the candle flung from side to side in an almost unnoticeable wind. A shadow passed by the icon of Antony, so close to Tony and Vera. 26. INT. THE TERRITORY OF KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY Tony and Vera are walking up the hill on the brick road leading to the exit of the monastery. TONY. How did you become a tour guide? VERA. Very easily. My specialization is history. When I was in college, I wrote a degree work, an essay on Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. That’s when I finished becoming a tour guide. My older brother found me this job. TONY. Does he also work here? VERA. No, not yet. He does works in constructions. In the last few years, he has had this bright dream of absolutely restoring the monastery. A long time ago, Kiev-Pechersk Monastery took at least twice as much territory than it has now. The street in front of the monastery that is called Sichnevoho Povstannia wasn’t there then. It appeared much later. When Catherine the Great arrived in Kiev, she was surprised and asked, ‘Where is the city?’ During those times, on the verge of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Kiev had three parts: Podol, where all the wealthy workers and lower-middle-class people lived; Reign Town, where most of the high-class citizens lived; and Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, where all the holy people lived and where we are now. CUT TO. KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY SCENERY VERA (after a pause.) Peter the Great understood,that Kiev-Pechersk Monastery is the heart of Kiev, and Moscow could only get full power over it if they obeyed that belief. Those were his motives, and in a way he reached his goal. CUT TO. RICH OFFICE The representative from the travel agency is sitting on a leather couch across from a Vladimir. VLADIMIR. How do you know that he has money? TRAVEL AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE. You should have seen what kind of money he spent on the trip to Ukraine! This American doesn’t look like a regular tourist. Best number in the hotel, golden Rolex watch on his wrist, the way he dresses… CUT TO. KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY VERA. In the times I am telling you about, Kiev was a boundary town. The border with Poland passed within thirty kilometers of the end of town. Peter the Great needed a good structure, and the territory of the monastery was perfect. That’s why Peter the Great decided to make an earthen bank where the Statue of Motherland and the Square of Glory are located now. The road we are walking on right now divides Kiev- Pechersk Monastery into two parts. In spite of monks’ disagreement, Peter the Great garrisoned his soldiers here, which helped shift the balance of power in Rus’ from the northern provinces to Kiev. The soldiers’ way of life has nothing in common with the way monks live; that’s why a huge wall was built on the right and left side from the entrance of the monastery. If you compare Kiev-Pechersk Monastery to Ukrainian heart, then from that time only one half of the heart was still beating. TONY. What is on the other side, now? VERA. It’s still the base for the soldiers, but there is a project to rehabilitate that part of the monastery completely; make it like it was before the time of Peter the Great. TONY (skeptically). Do you think that it’s possible now? This kind of project will cost a lot of money.” VERA. “I don’t know. The monks say that when the monastery is completely restored, Ukraine will get its full independence. It’s hard for you foreigners to understand it. TONY. No, it’s not. I completely understand you. What is this monument? VERA. I told you about it. This is the Statue of Motherland. This monument was built in the times of communism. Inside there is a museum of World War II. TONY. Can you go up on the peak? VERA. I think so. Honestly, I haven’t gone up there for a long time, myself. There is a special area you can look down from. You can go up there while the monument still exists. TONY (surprised). What do you mean, ‘while it still exists?’ VERA. Because the Statue of Motherland isn’t supposed to stand here. If Jerusalem is the center of three world religions—Judaism, Islam, and Christianity—then Kiev is the capital of the Slovenian-Orthodox world. The sword isn’t supposed to be higher than the cross. TONY. How long has it been here already?” VERA. Since 1981. TONY. Wow! Decent! VERA. What do you mean ‘decent’? Twenty or twenty five years for history is only a moment. When Ukraine gets full independence, there won’t be a sword there anymore. TONY. Why won’t it be there anymore? Will it be torn down? VERA. I think so. TONY (shrugging his shoulders). Why? I don’t think it bothers anybody. What’s the point of destroying it? VERA. It’s the monument of communism. TONY. I don’t think that’s right. This monument represents part of Ukrainian history. It’s stupid to destroy the monument, no matter who built it. When you rip out pages from the history book, you are at risk of losing something very important… VERA (interested). I didn’t expect to hear this from a foreigner. TONY (bursting into laughter). I didn’t expect it, myself. I thought about it and said what came naturally. (pause). Why didn’t the monks build anything on this hill? Or was there something earlier? VERA. From time immemorial, this hill has been known as a cursed place. It is called The Devil’s Mountain; that’s why no one ever tried to build anything there. From the geological point of view, this hill is made out of shifting layers of sediment that are in constant motion. The communists didn’t care for the geological point of view. Now, every year, the hill is fortified so the lady with the sword won’t fall down into the Dnieper. CUT TO. BUS STOP BY KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY VERA. We are here. TONY. Thank you. This was the most interesting tour of my life. (pause) Can I call you? VERA. Why? TONY. I would want to see you again. VERA. You can always come to Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. TONY. I hardly have any time. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like I feel with you. I don’t understand it. I don’t know why, but I have to see you again. VERA (laughing).Alright, you can call me. Here’s my number. Vera hands Tony her business card. 27. INT. TONY”S HOTEL ROOM -MORNING Tony is talking on the hone. Tony. No, thank you. I will come down to the hotel lobby myself. CUT TO. HOTEL LOBBY Travel agency representatives, Vladimir and Rustam, rise from the couch to greet Tony. VLADIMIR (friendly shaking Tony’s hand). Vladimir, this is Rustam. He is my business partner (after a pause). Our young friend, (nodding toward the travel agency representative), “told us flattering things about you as a businessman who wants to invest money in Ukraine. TONY (embarrassed) He exaggerated about my interest in serious business. Although…. I do have some plans regarding Ukraine. VLADIMIR. We would be more than happy if your plans agree with ours, but first I would like us to go to a more comfortable place. INT. HOTEL ENTRANCE Tony, Rustam and Vladimir sit in the “Mercedes”. Travel agency representative is left on the street. VLADIMIR (quietly talking to the travel agency representative through the car window). Do you think you are coming with us? We will figure everything out by ourselves. Mind your own business. Mercedes drives off. TONY. Isn’t he coming with us? VLADIMIR. Unfortunately, our young friend has too much work to do. That’s why he refused to come with us. He has to meet a group of tourists from London in a few hours. Tony, is it your first time in Ukraine? I can tell that you are a determined person if you came all this way without having any friends or relatives here. (pause) You have to be careful in Ukraine. However, you have nothing to worry about as long as you are with us. CUT TO. RESTAURANT – DOWNTOWN KIEV Men are talking. After a while a bright blond comes up to the table were Tony, Rustam and Vladimir are sitting at. VLADIMIR. Tony, please, let me introduce you to Oksana,” Vladimir flashed Tony a friendly smile and nodded toward the girl. “My English isn’t as perfect as our company manager’s. It was worth it for Oksana to work on probation in Great Britain. Now she agreed to help us. INT. INSIDE KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY A church’s archive located in an old semi-basement building with high ceilings. Innumerable shelves covered in books and tall bookcases that were made before the war created a queer maze through which it seemed impossible to navigate. Vera inside the church’s archive. No one around. An old monk appears out from the shelves. FATHER ILARION (greeting). Verochka, hi! What are you doing here? VERA. I just came by…. How are you feeling Father Ilarion? FATHER ILARION. Same as usual. My heart messes up from time to time, but it’s OK. I am holding on to life… How can I help you? VERA. A tourist asked me a question today that I couldn’t answer. FATHER ILARION. You couldn’t? I don’t believe it! You know more about the monastery than any monk. VERA. Now you contradict yourself. Remember, you said that it’s impossible to know everything. FATHER ILARION. That’s right. I sometimes say that to get my students to search for new knowledge. Vera, I am glad that you never stopped on what you already know, and I will be happy to help you. What do you want to know? VERA. I am interested in everything regarding the will of Saint Antony; and, also, if there were any attempts to disclose his tomb. FATHER ILARION (nervously). Why do you need to know it? VERA. I just do. Will you help me? Father Ilarion carefully looked at the young lady then walked into the maze of the archive, inviting Vera to follow him with a gesture. They stopped in a dark corner by an old bookcase covered in manuscripts and ancient books. FATHER ILARION. Here is what you need, (the old man opens the glass door of the bookcase and cautiously takes out an old manuscript). But remember. Knowledge is like fire. You can get burned. 29. INT. RESTAUARANT –DOWNTOWN KIEV TONY (interested) Of course, I could only dream of the kind of income you earn making and selling Ukrainian vodka. I will go and see your factory with pleasure, and I would be happy to learn more about your business. VLADIMIR (shaking his hand) We will organize everything. Let’s see, tomorrow I am busy. What about after tomorrow in the morning? TONY. Of course. I am free. VLADIMIR. That’s wonderful. And not to uselessly waste your time, I would like to ask Oksana to show you Kiev. (turning to Oksana) Do you mind? OKSANA. Of course not. It will be my pleasure. VLADIMIR (getting up) It’s a deal. Rustam will bring you back to the hotel, and Oksana will call you. Tony follows Rustam. Vladimir slows down and whispers to Oksana. VLADIMIR. I hope that you don’t need an explanation. You heard everything yourself. Looks like he has money. It’s not my job to tell you how foreigners act toward our local women. Do whatever you want, but that American has to be ours. 30. INT. KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY Church archives. Vera quickly stand up from the table and heads toward the exit of the church archive to where father Ilarion is sitting. VERA (alert). Father Ilarion, over the past thousand years a lot of people tried to reveal the remains of Saint Antony, but they never succeeded. It says in the ancient chronicles that everyone who tried was ‘punished with released flames’ and that repentance was their deed for the rest of their lives! (slight pause) Tell me why and who destroyed the ‘Life of Saint Antony Pecherski.’ I found parts of the text, but I didn’t find the actual manuscript or its copies. Who destroyed them? How? Why? FATHER ILARION (cautiously). You are wrong. In the biography collection of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery there is ‘Life and Mission of Saint Antony. VERA (nervously). In the biography collection there is a small legend with that name. It reminds me more of a beautiful fairy tale than a historical biography. What I am searching for is the full description of Saint Antony’s life which is mentioned in the archive, but isn’t actually there. (pause) Tell me, why was Fedoskin, a student of Saint Antony’s, the first conventional saint put in the episcopates in the year 1108. Why wasn’t Antony, who founded the monastery, the first saint on the list? Father Ilarion, I have a lot of ‘whys’ like this. The most important of these is why are there such strict restrictions on Antony’s grave? Why is no one, even after a thousand years, allowed to see his relics? (another pause) Father Ilarion, you know… you probably know. Tell me what is hidden in the grave. FATHER ILARION (exhausted) The answer is hidden in the question. Since you can correctly form the question, you can find the true answer to it.” The old man became pensive. “I warned you that knowledge could be dangerous. Vera, I am really tired today. Let’s talk about this some other time. Come back tomorrow. VERA (with hope) You promise to tell me everything tomorrow? FATHER ILARION. I promise… Vera leaves. Father Ilarion closes the door behind her and returns to the manuscripts that Vera was reading. He thoughtfully looked over them. Slight footsteps interrupt his thoughts. Strange, there is no one here besides him. Maybe he is hallucinating… But no! The sound becomes louder and louder…. The old monk nervously looks. FATHER ILARION. Who is there? INT. HOTEL ROOM Tony is sitting in front of TV, randomly switching channels. Then he throws the remote to the side, and takes out Vera’s business card. Tony uncertainly looks at it, and then picks up the phone. TONY. VERA? VERA’S VOICE. Tony? Hi, I was just thinking about you. TONY. Really, you actually thought about me? VERA’S VOICE. Of course, by the way I never lie. Remember asking me details about Saint Antony? I went to the church archive… TONY. Did you find something new? Vera, would you mind meeting tonight? You can tell me more about Antony, shows me Kiev, and I will make you the best dinner… Ok... Where... I don’t know any other place besides the hotel and Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. CUT TO. KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY Tony is waiting for Vera by the entrance. The rays of the sunset touched the domes of the church for the last time and disappeared in the waters of the Dnieper. A warm twilight covered the city like a light bedspread. Tony turned around as a taxi stopped close by. VERA. Hey, Tony! Tony is speechless. In front of him stands a completely different woman from the Vera he had met yesterday. This Vera has laughing eyes and a short skirt. Vera worked in strict clothing, wearing skirts down to her ankles. When they met last time, Tony had noticed her legs, but only now could he appreciate their beauty. VERA. Tony!! TONY (shyly) Oh, hey…. I was afraid you wouldn’t come. VERA (smiling) I came. Vera takes Tony by his hand. Tony can’t understand what changed in her. She had the same eyes and same smile. He listened to Vera and answered her questions, talking free and fast. He, indeed, feels so easy with her - abruptly he understands what is different about her. The walls of the monastery hid her away from the outside world like a cocoon. Here, by Dnieper, outside her work, Vera could be herself. She was free…. There is a huge difference between when a woman looks at you like a tourist and when she looks at you like Vera looked at Tony now. She saw him differently, and this reflected in her behavior toward him. Tony felt a wave of desire rise in him. He never felt anything like this. It was a different feeling than lust. It was coming from his heart, like the taste of a spring wind. Tony didn’t even notice when the sun went down, and the city hid in the darkness of night. Tony and Vera were walking for a long time in Kiev’s parks and alleys until they stopped by the Mariinsky Palace. The left shore opened to them. TONY. I never thought Ukraine could be so beautiful. Now I’m starting to understand why so many wars were fought for this country. Every inch of soil here is stained with blood…and love… VERA. Where you in love a lot? TONY (shyly) A lot? I don’t even know… I haven’t had a woman in my life whom I’d like to marry and spend my entire life with... VERA. You sound so sad. Why? TONY. I’ve been living in a dream. Before I came to Ukraine, my life was like a hammock strung between two palm trees. I never thought about where I came from or what in this world is my destiny. (pause) Tell me, why did you pick to study history, when there are so many interesting subjects. VERA. I don’t know…Maybe because I always felt more comfortable among books than around people. Books don’t betray or hurt you. TONY. People hurt you a lot? VERA (unwillingly). Sometimes…. TONY (unconfidently continuing after a slight pause) What about men? For a beautiful woman like you, there must be a lot of admirers. VERA (laughing) Admirers? It doesn’t matter how many. The important thing is not what they feel for me, but what I feel for them. Usually, men are interested in my looks and they don’t care for anything else. TONY. That’s not true. All men are different… VERA (interrupting him). ….and at the same time, all the same? TONY. But you can say the same thing about women. People are like books in the library: some aren’t paid attention to, and others you want to read over and over again and again; and every time, you find out something new and interesting for yourself. VERA. And what are you reading now,” Vera’s voice sounded both serious and humorous, “back there in America? Tony slightly looks away. Image of Caroline stands before him., and disappears… Tony cant understand who is he lying to. Caroline? Vera? Himself? TONY. Right now? Nothing… Vera carefully looks at Tony and quietly says VERA. Read me. If you can… CUT TO. A group of monks walked on the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery property heading toward the Near Caves. They walk quietly in the night’s darkness carrying a body covered in black cloth. CUT TO Tony’s hotel room. Welcoming bed. Tony and Vera blending together. INT. KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY Vera walks into the church archive. A strange monk in his forties calmly stands up to meet Vera. Vera doesn’t recognize this tall, strong stranger. STRANGER (unfriendly) What would you like? VERA. I would like to see Father Ilarion. Vera looks for the old man, but he is nowhere to be found. Now, at the table where Father Ilarion usually sat, sits the stranger. The stranger slowly stands up and stops in front of Vera. STRANGER. Father Ilarion died. VERA (horrified) It cant be! When? How? STRANGER. Yesterday…He had a weak heart. VERA. How strange… I just saw him yesterday. STRANGER. We know. Vera looks with terror into the eyes of the monk. She hears double-meaning in his words, that terrifies her. VERA. When is the funeral? STRANGER. He is already buried. VERA (terrified) When? Where? STRANGER Last night. VERA. Why at night? STRANGER. It’s not your first year working in Kiev-Pechersk Monastery,” the stranger said calmly. Not one muscle moved on his face. “You should know that the government forbids us to bury anyone on the monastery’s territory, but every strong, believing Christian wants to be buried in this sainted place. The monks who deserve it are buried in the night when there are no witnesses so there won’t be any problems with the government. VERA (upset) I won’t even be able to put flowers on his grave. STRANGER. If you want, put flowers by the Near Caves. Where Saint Antony is buried. VERA (on her way out) He wanted to tell me something… STRANGER. Vera, isn’t that your name? VERA (surprised) Do we know each other? STRANGER. If Father Ilarion were alive, he would probably tell you that God calls people to him who are too curious before they turn forty 33. INT. TONY’S HOTEL ROOM Tony in an excellent mood is sitting on a sofa, with his legs up on the coffee table. His gaze lands on the box of his grandfather’s possessions that his mother had given him. He carelessly opens the box and takes out yellow papers and photographs of unfamiliar people, streets and houses. Technically, he can go search for the place where these pictures were taken, but he doesn’t really want to. He looks at his grandpa’s photograph and realizes that he had seen that look, that angle of the head before. But where? And when? Then he remembers the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, in the Near Caves. ..Cold drops of sweat appear on Tony’s forehead. The image of his grandfather was exactly like the icon he saw in the cave of Saint Antony. Tony jumps up and grabs the phone. TONY (nervously, inconsistently) Vera, dear! I have to tell you something extremely important! I think I finally understand what grandpa meant. Remember me telling you that if I adhere to all the terms of grandpa’s will, I will get something way more valuable than three million dollars in Ukraine, something that grandpa wasn’t able to take with him from Ukraine. I couldn’t understand what he meant for a long time, but now I do! (Tony continues without realizing Vera’s terrified voice). I had to come to Ukraine. I was named after Saint Antony…a handful of soil… Look! Everything is falling into place! Grandpa had to hide his jewels in a safe place where he knew nobody would touch them in spite of the wars and rebuilding. Do you understand? The grave of Saint Antony hasn’t been touched in a thousand years. It’s the perfect place for to hide something valuable! VERA’S VOICE (with horror) Tony what’s wrong with you? What are you talking about? TONY. Remember when you showed me the icon of Saint Antony? It seemed familiar to me. I had seen the look on his face somewhere before. Vera, I remembered! The same look is on grandpa’s face in the photograph that was in the box with the map of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery! The photograph is a key to solving this mystery. VERA’S VOICE. Tony, you are delusional. TONY. Vera, I don’t want to hear anything. I am coming to you. You have to help me disclose Saint Antony’s grave! 34. INT. KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY Tony and Vera talking. VERA (helplessly). Tony, I don’t even know how to stop you. It’s insane. Forget this crazy idea. By the way, I don’t even know how it would be possible. No one will give you permission to disclose the grave of a saint. TONY (interrupting her).You see, you, yourself, say that the most important thing is to get permission, and not whether I should disclose the grave or not. VERA (in rage).Don’t put words in my mouth! I am against disclosing the grave. I have a bad feeling about it. TONY (reproachfully) Who cares about your feeling! Someone has to disclose the grave sooner or later! Why do other people have to find the jewels and not us? Vera, imagine it. We will be rich! Rich! VERA. Aren’t you rich already? Isn’t it enough for you? TONY. There is never such a thing as too much money. If fate gives us a chance like this, we should definitely take it! Otherwise, I would loose all respect for myself! VERA. Right now, you are talking like all the other Americans I have met so far. They all spit on the traditions and rituals of other nationalities. Money is the only thing that matters to them. You don’t have any other gods but money. TONY (irritated). And you Ukrainians have what? Did you ever ask yourself why Ukraine is still so far behind the rest of the world? It’s because all of you are afraid to look yourselves in the eyes! Truth scares you; your own history scares you. Even things that happened a thousand years ago still make you superstitious and scared. You have traditions that make you paupers so that you have to ask for money from more developed countries. VERA. I never asked you for money. Vera abruptly turns around and heads into the caves of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. TONY (unconfidently) Sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you… VERA (coldly) Tony, I don’t even know how to change your mind. You need to talk to my brother, remember you’ve seen pictures of him at my place? I am sure it will be helpful. TONY. Set up a meeting with him; the faster, the better. He is a businessman and we will find a way to talk. Tony and Vera walk on the grounds of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. Vera slows down and stops near the entrance to the Near Caves. She Vera carefully places a branch of lilacs in front of the entrance. A tear shines in he eyes. VERA. Why do you think that money is the most important thing? Why?” Vera broke down and cried, covering her face with her hands. Vera is sobbing, covering her face with her hands. She turns away from Tony. He doesn’t know what to do. TONY. Vera, please stop… do you hear, me? Stop… INT. OFICE IN DOWNTOWN KIEV A secretary walks into Vasili’s office. SECRETARY. Vasili Petrovich, your sister is here with the American.” The secretary stopped at the door, waiting for an answer. Vasili rubs his head and stands up. VASILI. Make them something - like tea or coffee - and tell them to come in. Vera and Tony walk into the office. Tony looks around. The first thing that Tony noticed when he walked into Vasili’s office was the collection of maps of the Monastery. In combination with the many souvenir statues, they made the room look exotic and charming. TONY. Even the richest businessman in Unites States can’t allow himself to have such a luxurious office,” said Tony respectfully in the first minutes of their meeting. VASILI (carelessly waiving his hand) It’s all because in your country, people are trying to get from work to home. In our country the opposite is true. Here, people try to get from home to work. We have to spend most of our lives at work. Please sit down. Vasili carelessly, gestures toward the leather sofa. He, himself, sits across from Tony. Vera looks reproachfully at her brother. She doesn’t like it when Vasili acts arrogant. VASILI. Did Vera tell you already what we do here? Tony nods. VASILI. Now, I decided to revitalize Kiev-Pechersk Monastery to how it was. Of course, we understand that it won’t be easy to just reconstruct the monastery, to put varnish on the ruins.” Vasili pointed to the largest map of the monastery hanging on the wall. “No, it would be a real renaissance of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, to build a true spiritual center. By the way, have you ever visited The Louvre? Tony shakes his head. Vasili straightens his shoulders, thinking, “Of course, Tony hadn’t been to The Louvre. As if The Louvre could interest an American? And he, Vasili Petrovich, had been in there! VASILI. The Louvre would seem like a mere village compare to what we will build here! And here,” Vasili pointed to the map, “we will rebuild the printing house which used to be on this place. It will be the best publishing in the world! (Pause) What’s the point to save money?” continued Vasili. “If build, then build! And also here will be a Temple of Peace where every person, any nationality and belief, could pray to God. TONY. Which God? VASILI (confidently) What do you mean ‘which’? Any. TONY (surprised) You are saying that, in your temple, Muslims and Jews will pray together, for example. VASILI. Of course. TONY (skeptically) But they can’t even share Jerusalem! Do you expect everyone to reconcile in your temple in one or two days? It will never happen! Wars, like in The Middle East might beak out. For them to pray together… It’s a complete nonsense. VASILI (arrogantly) You don’t understand anything about it,” said Vasili angrily. “It will be an unusual temple. It will be built so it seems that it’s between earth and sky. You will never see anything like this in the world! Isn’t it amazing? Vasili places an album in front of Tony filled with sketches of the temple. Tony curiously opens it. TONY. It’s beautiful. VASILI (enthusiastically).You see! TONY. But it has nothing to do with religion. This building will play a political role; maybe it will become an original museum of world religions. It will be a museum, not a temple. Those are totally different things. Tony puts the album aside. Vasili continues to point to different features of his sketches. VASILI. We will immure this entrance between the survived earthen banks. TONY. What will happen to the street? VASILI. What so you mean ‘what’? It will be a zone for pedestrians. Under it we will put a tunnel for cars.(pause)A building will be right here, and I will live on the last floor. I will live in Ukrainian Vatican and tourists from all over the world will come here. I don’t buy an apartment on purpose because I know that if I do, I will become relaxed and lazy. And now every day I wake up and see a shabby ceiling above my head, rusty pipes in the bathroom, fallen tile in the kitchen, and I leave the house with one thought – to reconstruct the Monastery. You already saw my plans for the monastery, now I want you to see how carefully and wisely every detail is thought out! TONY (thoughtfully) Hold on. I don’t see how the reconstruction of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery has anything to do with this development. I understand that you want to build the most expensive apartments in Ukraine on the territory of the Monastery. Is that right? VASILI. Of course, not only is there going to be a place to live, but also restaurants, museums, theaters, galleries… TONY. So it’s a completely commercial business. I don’t see anything spiritual in it. All of your talk about beliefs is just a curtain behind which you are going to make money. VASILI. We need money to renovate the Monastery! We will earn it and we will invest it in the Monastery. There is no other way. INT. THE RESTAURANT Tony, Vera and Vasili are having lunch at a nearby restaurant. Vasili relaxes in his chair, watching other people in the restaurant play pool. VASILI. Your America is like a huge McDonald’s. Wherever you go, you have hamburgers and chips. Look how tasty they feed us here, not like in your country. TONY. You are wrong; America has a lot of fancy restaurants, just like in any country of the world. VASILI. Come on. There is nothing better than Ukrainian cuisine. Just try it…. The waiter brings out the food. Tony looks at the billiard table with interest. TONY. That’s an interesting table. I have never seen a table like that. It reminds me of a pool table, but the pockets are smaller and the balls are different colors and much larger. VASILI (taking a bite of his hamburger) This is a real table, and a real game. At first, it seems that it’s hard to play because the table is big, balls are big, and billiard pockets are small; but when you start playing, you understand that all those small pool games are just games for amateurs. There was a real billiard. It was named French, and it stayed in Europe. And you got rip off in what you play. TONY. What do you mean? VASILI (calmly shrugging his shoulders) What is there not to understand? Big tables aren’t comfortable, take up a lot of space; and the owners of bars want money for the game, so they began making pool table with small balls and big wide billiard-pockets, in which even a blind person could make it. That’s not it! On those tables, the cue ball is heavier than the other balls. That totally changes the game and kills billiard as an art. Even your professionals in billiard already said that there has to be an end! You Americans think that you are playing billiard, but in reality, you are just playing something that is alike! And it’s in everything! TONY (coldly). If you are so smart, then why do you live so poor? America is a great country. There’s no other country like it, and all other countries try to be like it! You are saying that pool is worse than billiards? So why is there also a pool table, and people playing it right here in this restaurant? VASILI. It’s for tourists like you. TONY. And did you build Chernobyl for tourists too? And what about what you call Kiev’s water supply? I read on the Internet that it used to be a different climate here – winter was winter and summer was summer. You flooded the beautiful land, and now the climate in Kiev has changed. You have slush in the winter, and rain in the summer. VASILI. Climate like any other… TONY. If you are so smart, then why didn’t you ever think that the dam was at a higher elevation than the places were people lived? By the way, the dam is not in great shape, like everything else in this country. If it breaks, regions of Kiev will be submerged, and no one would be able to help the residents! American newspapers report that this is a dangerous zone, and you not only stop listening ,but also build houses there! So now who do you think is more obsessed with money - us Americans or you Ukrainians? VASILI (irritated) I see you did pretty good research for a tourist who came to Ukraine the first time, but your information is one-sided. The country from the inside doesn’t look like outside. VERA. Tony! Vasia! Stop it…. TONY (after a pause).Vasili, do you have the connections to help me do an archeological excavation in the Near Caves? VASILI (sharply) Vera told me that you want to disclose Saint Antony’s grave. Honestly, I thought that it is a bad joke. Tony, please understand that I am working to reconstruct the Monastery and not to break it down. You get the difference? So this question isn’t for me. Vasili puts his plate to the side, and leaves the table. TONY. Where is he going? VERA. To smoke. Don’t worry he will be back soon. Well, what did you think about him? TONY. A little funny. It’s so funny how he waves his hands and gestures, trying to persuade his listener. You are a little alike, but you are so different! VERA (smiling). I am a woman. TONY. You aren’t just a woman. You are the most beautiful and wanted woman in the world! Tony leans and kisses Vera’s fingertips. 36. INT. HOTEL ENTRANCE – MORNING Vladimir’s Mercedes picks up Tony from the hotel. CUT TO – VODKA FACTORY VLADIMIR. Tony, this is exactly what you wanted. The renaissance of Ukrainian culture through Ukrainian vodka. We call it Slovenian! By making Ukrainian vodka popular, we attract attention to Ukraine itself and its traditions… Vladimir knew how to convince people. His calm tone and manners made people like and trust him. he director of the factory politely fusses around his visitors, showing them different sections of the factory. Rustam silently walks nearby. Tony feels that all of the attention revolved around him. Noticing his own power flatters his pride. TONY. I have to think about it. Everything that you are telling me is very interesting, but alcohol is bad for your health, and I don’t know for sure if this is a project I want to invest my money in. VLADIMIR. There is no purpose for your worries. This isn’t just vodka, it’s a healing drink made by ancient recipes, which we uncovered in ancient writings. Of course, its not recommended for children to drink, like any other vodka; but for adults, drinking it a little can even be helpful for their health. Believe me, Tony, there is no other project as good as this to invest your money in. TONY (thoughtfully). I have a business offer that might interest you. Vladimir raises his left eyebrow in surprise. Vladimir and Tony move to the side. CUT TO HOTEL ENTRANCE - EVENING VLADIMIR. Tony, we will find out everything about having archeological excavations on the territory of the Monastery. It won’t be easy, but we will include all our connections to help. Too bad you didn’t mention it from the very start when we met. TONY (gratefully) Thank you. I am glad you understood and agreed to help me. VLADIMIR. No need to thank me. First, we will do the job. Oksana will walk you up to your hotel room. Okasana gracefully walks out of the car. Rustam exits from another side, and stops behind Tony’s back. Taking Tony’s hand, Oksana leads him into the hotel. CUT TO. HOTEL ENTRANCE – EVENING VLADIMIR. What do you think? RUSTAM (grinding his teeth) He seems unusual. VLADIMIR. Do you really think there is something in that grave? RUSTAM (shrugging his shoulders). Why should we care? Let him pay the money. That’s all we need. If something is in the grave, then later we will find a way to split it. VLADIMIR. What do you think about all those superstitions about the curse that prevent anyone from opening the grave? RUSTAM (laughing) All of it is stupid. On December 6, 1240 my ancestors erased Kiev from the face of earth, and there was no curse. So what can happen there in one grave? VLADIMIR. You know your history well… RUSTAM. Sitting beside you for five years at the university paid off. VLADIMIR (grinning). Only, your ancestors were kicked out of Kiev in the year 1362. RUSTAM (mockingly). You mean the middle of 14th century when Ukraine lay under Litva like some woman? You will see that, soon, there will be more swords in Kiev than orthodox churches. We Chechnyans always ruled Kiev, and we will rule it now, too. Slovenians need money and the whip, and we have both. Rustam’s words bother Vladimir, but he remains quiet. INT. INSIDE THE HOTEL Tony and Oksana walk into a bar, and sit down by the bar stand. It’s clear that Tony doesn’t know how to act around this woman. TONY. Oksana would you like anything to drink? Oksana reveals her flirting smile and leans on him. OKSANA. Of course….. Tony’s gaze land on Oksana’s engagement ring. TONY. It’s late. Won’t you husband get mad and tired of waiting for you? OKSANA. Even if he will, then what? He works for Vladimir, and if something happens, he will just pretend that nothing happened. Do you like Ukraine? TONY. Kiev is a wonderful city. Oksana touches Tony just above his wrist. OKSANA. You can’t even imagine how beautiful Kiev can be at night! I can show you… Tony looks at Oksana’s full lips. They are so close to his own. He hesitates…. TONY. Sorry, I better go… Maybe some other time. INT. VASILI’S OFFICE Vasili often worked late. Tonight, he was sitting in his office, swarming through the piles of papers on his desk. He hears footsteps in the corridor and wonders who could still be in the building this late at night. The door opens, and Vera enters the office. VERA. You are still working?! She is either asking or just stating a fact. She sits down on the sofa. VASILI (friendly) Oh, Sis… Hey! Where are you going so dressed up? Where is your American? VERA (carelessly) He went to see some vodka factory with businessmen in the morning. VASILI (grinning) I can’t imagine what condition they will bring him home, after visiting the factory! (noticing Vera’s look) Come on, don’t get mad. VERA. I am not mad. VASILI. All Americans are like that. They only have dollars in their heads. VERA. Not all.(shaking his head) You are wrong in many aspects. And you still can’t decide for yourself what’s more important – money or spiritual matters. VASILI. Yea? Well, maybe you can see it better, standing on the side. (pause) What’s new in the Monastery? VERA. Don’t you know? You are there almost every day. Strange things started happening. The monks have started to fear going down to the caves. VASILI (putting his pen down) Do you know why? VERA. They say the black monk started appearing in the catacombs. VASILI (curiously). It’s nonsense! How can you seriously believe in it? It’s an old legend that hasn’t been proven by any historical facts. Personally, I only believe in facts! VERA. So you are saying that you only believe in things you can touch. VASILI (offended) Not at all, but this legend can’t be proven. One monk saw another at twilight and thought he was the black monk. Anyway, all of the monks wear black robes; have black hair and very black beards! VERA. But they see each other every single day, and know the catacombs like the backs of their hand. There is definitely something wrong… VASILI. How often does he appear? VERA. That’s the thing, very rarely. In a period of a thousand years, he has only been seen a few times, and always right before something horrible happens. The monks believe that the black monk warns them of impending tragedy. The last time he was seen eighty years ago. VASILI (thoughtfully). That was right before the revolution. Then there was a civil war, World War Two… You think that the ghost came to warn people? VERA (calmly). Why do you think it’s a ghost? VASILI (getting goose bumps from sudden worry). What else? What do you want to say? (after a pause) You want to tell me that somebody has lived for a thousand of years in the monastery’s catacombs, or someone from the dead leaves his grave from time to time? Vera remains silent. Vasili finds her look and behavior very strange. VASILI. Whatever it is, its appearance before historical tragedies is nothing more than a coincidence. VERA. Maybe, but there is one oddity in the ancient legend. The black monk only appears by Antony’s grave, and only if someone with Antony’s blood in him comes to Near Caves. VASILI. That’s not possible. Antony couldn’t leave any ancestors. He was a monk! He haven’t touched women and didn’t have children. VERA. You are right; but Antony, like everyone else, could have relatives. And about women… Can anyone say with one hundred percent certainty what really happened a thousand years ago? VASILI. What are you trying to say? That the creator of the greatest monastery in all of Slovenia wasn’t celibate? VERA. Saint Antony had a strict, ascetic way of life, but he wasn’t a monk in the way we understand this word today. He was still made of flesh and blood, like everyone else. VASILI (after a pause). Vera, what’s wrong? What’s terrifying you? Vera looks at the cell phone that’s in her hand. Tony hasn’t called. She looks at her brother. VERA. In his will, Saint Antony strictly forbade anyone from disturbing his grave. VASILI. So what’s wrong with that? A lot of people don’t want anyone to disclose their graves. VERA Vasia, don’t forget that they buried people differently then. The whole ceremony was taken extremely seriously back then. People are just thrown into a pit now, or burned just to get rid of the bodies faster. The Byzantine tradition is for a monk’s tomb to be opened exactly one year after the burial. That was the rule, and Antony carefully followed it. But, all of the sudden Antony leaves a written will, which prevents anyone from following this practice. I still can’t understand why he would do that. Was he following the will or a ritual. VASILI. I believe it was according to the will. Last wish is sacred… 39. INT. VLADIMIR’S OFFICE – MORNING Vladimir lazily lies on the armchair across from Tony. VLADIMIR. We found out about everything, (nodding to Rustam, who was standing by the window). You, as a foreigner, can’t have permission to have an archeological excavation on the territory of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. Even if you were a Ukrainian citizen, there wouldn’t be a guarantee that you would get permission, either. You would waste a lot of money and time, but it’s not likely you would get the permission TONY (helplessly) So we can’t do anything? VLADIMIR. To save the local sacred places, it’s necessary to have repair works there. So we will do them. We will disclose Antony’s grave, you know, as if by accident, and nothing could have been done. Do you get my idea? If yes, then lets move on to the question about money. 40 INT. KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY VASILI. I don’t understand one thing, Vera, what do you see in that American? VERA. How should I explain it? I like this game… VASILI (mocking) Oh-oh-oh! I am so touched now that I will let my manly tear drop on my new shirt! You didn’t have enough boyfriends before, so here you go with this tourist? Dating foreigners is a sign of bad manners, you know. VERA (angrily) So you think leaving your wife and kid is good manners? Messing around with other women and staying with them in hotels? VASILI. We aren’t talking about me. We are talking about you now! Everything is stable with me. It’s you who can’t fix your personal life! I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve convinced the American that you are some innocent virgin! Out of the twenty million men living in Ukraine, none of them suit you! VERA. And can you name me at least one normal one? Where? Look everywhere. They are only perverts! Some are smart, but they are so busy with their inner worlds that they forget to change socks or put on deodorant. I rather be alone than with any of them. VASILI. Of course! And your Tony is a golden boy! His millions of dollars have affected your imagination! VERA. I spit on his millions!” Vera said sharply. “A lot of your friends have more money than Tony, and I am not interested in any of them! VASILI. Only, think about it! He is just a way out of this country to you! That’s it! He’d be stupid not to marry a pretty woman like you and take you away to America! Just understand, he will leave you and forget you as soon as he returns to Chicago! You are just a quick adventure to him! Open your eyes! Don’t be stupid! VERA (tears in her eyes). I don’t interfere with your life. Stay out of mine! 41 INT. TONY’S HOTEL ROOM Tony nervously walks back and forth, with the phone in his hand. TONY. Michael, I need money! Hello! Michael… It’s urgent. MICHAEL’S VOICE. Hold on, let me think. INT. MICHAEL”S OFFICE – CHICAGO Michael looks at the skyline of Chicago though the window of his office on the top floor of a skyscraper. Having worked for a financial corporation for most of his life, he belonged to the category of people who avoid taking risks; but behind the strict mask of financier, hid an emotional, irascible, Italian person. MICHAEL. Tony, did you get in any trouble in The Ukraine? I am against you investing in any projects in that country without a lot of research and general analysis. TONY’S VOICE. Don’t worry. I have everything under control! MICHAEL (confidently). Keep in mind that I will not give you a cent without clear necessity TONY’S VOICE. Michael, I am not talking about business. I am asking for you, personally, to lend me your money on my honest word! I will come back to Chicago and pay everything back to you. I urgently need the money! Michael, we have been friends for many years already, and I have never betrayed you. Michael, why are you silent? You – you don’t believe me? Michael is thoughtful. Experience tells him that it’s never good to hurry in financial business. He didn’t have any wish to lend Tony the money. The smartest thing would be to talk Tony out of this, but it was pointless to argue with him. Michael didn’t doubt even for a second that Tony would be upset if he rejected his request for a loan. If he were to give his friend the money, it would be from his heart alone. Lending money was risky from all sides, but not to lend might put his friendship with Tony at risk… Michael curses to himself. MICHAEL. Tony, are you sure that you have everything under control? TONY’S VOICE. I had any doubt, I wouldn’t call you! MICHAEL (sighting) Okay. When do you need the money? TONY’S VOICE. I will email you the account number. MICHAEL (cautiously). Whose account? TONY’S VOICE. It’s absolutely a safe company. You can’t even imagine what serious people I met in Ukraine! MICHAEL. Tony, if something is worrying me, it’s that you went to The Ukraine at all. I will be waiting for the account number. I almost forgot, I met Caroline yesterday she is worried because you haven’t been calling her. She called the hotel a few times, but no one answered. TONY’S VOICE. Thanks, I will definitely give her a call. INT. TONY”S HOTEL ROOM Vera and Tony are lying in bed together. She is gently playing with his hair. VERA. You have such beautiful eyes, hair, and hands…(pause). I am so glad that you liked Ukraine, liked Kiev… It’s your land. You had to have felt that this was your home from the very moment you got here. Maybe it’s not as beautiful or rich as other homes, but it’s yours. It has warmth that will keep you warm during hard times and that will give you strength… Tony interrupts with his kisses that start at her lips and move down her body. TONY. I can’t get enough of you. VERA (giggling) Liar,“You are lying about everything! (pause). I am so glad that you finally let go of your idea to disclose Antony’s grave. How did it even occur to you in the first place? How?” Vera tries to catch Tony’s gaze. He looks away. VERA (mocking) What are you thinking about now? Other women? TONY. Only about you…. Tony is kissing Vera.An abrupt phone call. Vera flinches, and Tony’s body response like an echo. VERA (confused) Who is it? TONY (getting up) I don’t know. Maybe room service? Vladimir’s voice is heard on the other end. VLADIMIR’S VOICE. We got the money. Everything is ready. If you don’t mind, we will start the disclosing tomorrow. We will be waiting for your command. TONY. I will call you back in a few minutes. VERA (worried). Is everything Ok? TONY (getting dressed). Fine. They called from downstairs. Fax came from America. I’ll just go down to the lobby and be right back. Tony gets dressed and quickly exits his room 43 INT. KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY In front of the entrance to the monastery’s catacombs, there is a sign that reads: “Sorry, but The Near Caves are closed to visitors due to repair work”. A bored policeman is wondering in that area, preventing anyone from entering. INT. INSIDE THE NEAR CAVES Rustam stands next to Tony and Vladimir deep in the caves, carefully watching the workers who are just about to begin their excavation. In a matter of minutes, the mystery will be solved. Tony feels like a hero. He looks at Vladimir who looks calm on the outside, but his eyes show that he is nervous. They are about to do something that no one else dared to do in a thousand years! They are so close to victory…. Suddenly, Tony hears quick steps, as if someone is running toward them. In the darkness of the cave, Tony can barely make out the fragile silhouette of Vera. As she gets closer, he can see that her eyes are shining. She is squeezing a notepad to her chest. VERA. Tony stop! If you go against the will of Antony, you won’t only profane the grave, but also all of our ancestors! You can’t do it! Your grandpa couldn’t have wanted you to profane this grave because the beliefs of the saint were sacred to him! TONY (victoriously) Too late, I can’t stop now. You can’t even imagine what kind of money I spent to get permission to perform repairs in this short period of time! VERA. Even if there is buried treasure here, you can’t touch it! You’re delusional! TONY. I will be rich! Vera looks into Tony’s eyes and understands everything. Those are the eyes of a crazy person. A dull anger at her powerlessness rises within her. VERA (reproachfully) Well, then, you’ve made your choice! I was so wrong about you! If money is more important to you than anything else on this earth, then go ahead and dig, but you will never see me again! You easily disregard what is sacred, and it will be just as easy for you to disregard me, when the right time comes! Vera turns sharply and disappeared into the darkness of cave. Tony wants to say something but can’t find the right words. He wants to stop her, but he can’t move. RUSTAM (abruptly) Who let that bitch in? One of the workers ran to the exit after Vera. Rustam turns to Tony and gives him a friendly pat on the back. RUSTAM. Forget her. In a few hours, you will have so much money that you can buy any woman you want in Ukraine! TONY (quietly) What to do with those who aren’t sold? RUSTAM (laughing). Everything can be sold. You are upset? Forget her! A real man can’t stop half way through! CUT TO: OUTSIDE THE MONASTERY Vera is sitting on a bench. Her cell rings. She picks up. TONY’S VOICE. Vera, I canceled everything. I never touched the grave and didn’t profane the will. You are way more valuable to me than all the treasures in the world! CUT TO: INSIDE THE NEAR CAVES Rustam thoughtfully looks at the grave of Antony and then looks questionably at Vladimir. RUSTAM. Listen, the American ran away, but he paid the money. Nothing can stop us from disclosing the grave. We will quickly disclose it, get anything valuable in it and just leave. VLADIMIR (uncertainly). He wouldn’t have left like this unless he knew for sure that there is nothing there. Americans know how to count money. You can tell that he has something on his mind. Obviously, he didn’t tell us everything. Maybe someone found out that there is nothing there or that bitch gave him a hint. Did you hear how she yelled at him? She appeared so suddenly, and left suddenly, too…(looks around in terror) Maybe… maybe we shouldn’t be here at all…. RUSTAM (disappointed) Come on, we are here to become rich! Let’s do it! It will only take five minutes. We’re already here. VLADIMIR (terrified). The monks are getting scared and have started crowding by the entrance of the cave. Obviously, they will come down here and find out that there aren’t any repair works going on. It would be better to leave, the faster, the better! We’ve already got the money from that American; and if something happens now, we won’t only loose that money, but also the treasures. Let’s go before it’s too late! RUSTAM (irritated). You can do whatever you want, but I am staying! This kind of chance only happens once in a lifetime. You think that I am an idiot and that I don’t understand that there are ancient treasures buried here? When Saint Antony was measuring the plot of land for the future church, he measured it with a golden belt that was given to him by Shimon, the son of Africana, the Varagian duke! Antony paid gold to artists and builders in Constantinople to come to Russia and build this monastery. Can you imagine what kind of riches that monk had? And now it can be mine! You seriously believe that I would back off now? Rustam turns to face the grave, and then recoiled in horror as he sees a black shadow in front of him. Vladimir’s cry for help sounds like the wild cry of an animal. The workers pushing each other run to the exit. Vladimir slips and falls on a display of relics that lay against the wall. His head hits the glass case and a small stream of blood appears on his face. Feeling the blood, Vladimir screams even louder, trying to hide in the corner of the cave. The top of the grave breaks; pieces of glass covered in blood fall on the body covered by a shroud. Panicking, Rustam follows the workers as they run through the mazes of the cave, his self-preservation instincts lead him farther and farther away. Suddenly, Rustam stops as complete despair is taking over him, squeezing his throat. Rustam can’t understand how he came to be alone in the dark. There is nowhere to go. His confidence is leaving him, but he quickly recovers. He takes one step forward and almost tripps over a sledgehammer left behind by one of the workers. He feels relieved. Rustam stepps toward the black shadow wielding the sledgehammer. RUSTAM (hoarsely) Go away! I am not afraid of you! Whoever you are, move out of the way, or I will crush your skull! The shadow moves closer. Rustam clearly sees the outline of a monk dressed in black whose eyes are as cold as ice and pierce right through his soul. Raising the sledgehammer, Rustam swings it, aiming for the monk’s face. This hit would have been unavoidable, but the shadow of the monk disappeares. In its place Rustam sees a wooden support beam. The sledgehammer splintered the pole, and Rustam screamed in horror as the tunnel collapsed around him with a terrible sound. CUT TO. NEAR CAVES – ENTRANCE PEDESTRIAN. What happened? MONK WITH THE ROSARY. There was a collapse in The Near Caves, where repair work was being done. One of the workers died and one has gone crazy. He says he saw Saint Antony in person. An ambulance is taking him away as we speak. The catacombs will probably be closed for awhile. INT. TONY’S HOTEL ROOM Vera is asleep hugging the pillow. A shadow of a smile glide across her face as she is dreaming of distant worlds filled with bright colors. Tony turns from Vera and looks out the window. Yesterday, he had made a choice, and now he has to live with it. He had senselessly wasted the money Michael had loaned him and must now return to Chicago without the wealth he had hoped to discover in Ukraine. It hurt Tony’s pride to think that he only had his inheritance to build his future on. “And what,” he thought to himself, “am I supposed to do with Vera?” He looks around the room for his shirt, spots it on the floor by a chair, and quickly begins to dress.
45 INT. VASILI’S OFFICE Vasili is looking through some papers. A buzz. SECRETARY’S VOICE. Vasili Petrovich, Anthony is here to see you. VASILI. I don’t want to see him. Tell him that I am busy or something… (thinking) Although- why not? Let him in. Tony confidently walks into the office. He shakes Vasili’s hand. TONY. Vasili, I came here to tell you that I would like to work with you in the restoration of the monastery. I will invest my money in your project. INT. KIEV’S SCENERY Sunrise changes into sunset and then again and again. Days pass. Landscapes, Kiev’s scenery, water, Dniepr prove that the time is passing. Leaves begin to fall from trees….. 47 INT. VASILI’S OFFICE Tony is looking through a pile of papers with Vasili and his crew. Tony noticing Vera’s smile, walks toward her. VERA (sadly) You are leaving tomorrow….I will miss you… TONY. I need to do something before I go. Would you like to come with me? CUT TO: KIEV-PECHERSK MONASTERY VERA. You haven’t seen much of Kiev. You didn’t even visit the places on your grandfather’s pictures… TONY (confidentially). There is always a next time…. VERA (sadly). Yea, next time…. Tony and Vera walk in the Near Caves. CUT TO: INSIDE THE CATACOMBS TONY (interested). Tell me, how did Saint Antony die? VERA (thoughtfully). During the last years of his life, Antony rarely came out of this cave,” answered Vera thoughtfully. “A lot of people who came into the caves heard his voice, but they never saw him. Antony prayed in secret and lived alone. He died on July 23, 1073, during the rule of Svyatoslav the son of Yaroslav. TONY (impressed). Wow! Turns out that Antony lived through the reigns of a lot of different rulers. VERA. God gave hima long life. According to the chronicles, Antony died when he was ninety, but here, people tend to think that he died when he was a hundred and five years old. TONY. It seems that Antony lived a few lives. Vera and Tony are so caught up in their conversation that they don’t notice that they are walking deeper and deeper into the part of the catacombs that is poorly lit. Pitch darkness and evil silence surrounds them. Tony and Vera walk right pass the sign that states “DO NOT ENTER.” VERA. Only a selected few were allowed to see Antony while he was praying or meditating. Even the ones who wrote Antony’s date of death in the chronicles didn’t call him dead. TONY (flinching) Why? VERA. To his followers, Antony stayed alive through his teachings, although his body was dead. A lot of them continued to hear his voice even after his burial, and some say that they saw him in Constantinople talking to Greek painters about commissioning icons for Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. Most likely, it’s just a legend, although the icons where made and brought to Kiev. The icon painters swore they were paid with gold by none other than Saint Antony himself. Some legends claim that Antony wasn’t buried here, but was buried in Rome by Saint Peter. TONY. How strange… At the time he was buried, his students must have seen his body, so where did all of the legends come from? VERA. That’s the thing, no one saw him dead. When Antony stopped answering questions, the cave was just immured. No one could make himself or herself go into the home of a saint. TONY. How could they just immure it? He was basically buried alive! VERA. It was a usual habit for the monastery to immure the dead in their caves when they stopped talking. As you can see, the caves were small and narrow with only one entrance. TONY. But you say that after some period of time, Antony’s voice was heard again in the catacombs! And that he was seen in Constantinople! VERA. Tony, try to understand that there are things that can’t be logically explained, no matter how hard you try. Saint Antony became a symbol, like the cross itself. An old monk appeared suddenly, limping on one leg. The monk walks toward Tony and Vera angrily waving his hands in the air, exclaiming in heavily accented English. LIMPING MONK. Who let you in? This isn’t a place for tourists! Get out! Tony and Vera stop. Suddenly they hear someone’s powerfully voice behind their back. VOICE OF THE BLACK MONK. Let them through. Hearing the voice, the limping monk bows and lets them pass. Tony and Vera look around to see who had spoken, but they don’t see anything except a shadowy figure in the depth of the cave. They can barely make out the outline of long black hair and a beard. VERA (quietly). Thank you. Vera and Tony leave. The limping monk stares after them. LIMPING MONK. What if they find something that they aren’t supposed to? BLACK MONK. She didn’t let him defile this sacred place and the beliefs of our ancestors. Don’t stop them again. The limping monk bows even lower in front of a mysterious shadow. CUT TO. The rays of the sunset cut through thick clouds, falling on the golden domes of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. By the entrance to the Near Caves, where the sun can’t penetrate, Tony kneels and carefully pours soil in a plastic bag. Only now he begins to understand the true meaning of his grandfather’s will. INT.BORISPOL Tony, Vasili and Vera gather inside the airport. VASILI. “They just announced the boarding call for your flight. TONY. I know who to talk to in The US. My money isn’t going to be enough, but I know how to interest people in investing money in this project. VASILI (friendly). It’s ok. If it works out, then great. If it doesn’t, it’s ok. We will find the money ourselves. The most important thing for me is that you come back and visit us. We need you here. You are fun to be with. I gotten used to you by now. And Vera will miss you, (looking from his sister to the American, uncomfortable pause). I am going to leave you two alone and go buy something. It’s extremely hot here… Vasili leaves. Tony hugs Vera’s shoulders, and kisses her. TONY. You taught me how to love. I can’t live without you now. VERA. I am yours. Vera hugs Tony. It was a typical scene in the airport. Someone said goodbye to someone they cared about before every flight. Vasili comes back with a bottle of water. Tony takes a couple of sips and puts the bottle next to the plastic bag with Ukrainian soil. It’s time. Tony firmly shakes Vasili’s hand, and once again hugs Vera. CUT TO. LUGGAGE CHECK The security guard curiously looks through Tony’s bag. FIRST SECURITY GUARD (taking out a plastics bag filled with soil). What is this? TONY. Excuse me. FIRST SECURITY GUARD. What’s in this plastic bag? TONY. Soil. FIRST SECURITY GUARD (suspiciously looking at contains of the bag). I can see that, and you are telling me that there is water in that bottle. TONY (confused) Of course, what else. FIRST SECURITY GUARD. Who gave you permission to test soil and water? TONY. What permission are you talking about? This is just soil in memory of Ukraine. And the water was bought here, at the airport. FIRST SECURITY GUARD. Don’t try to make a fool out of me. I myself bring souvenirs, not soil when I travel to foreign countries. Give me your passport, take your things and follow me. CUT TO. Vasili and Vera look at Tony as the security guard leads him into a special room. VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES. We found a spy…. Vasili looks around. VASILI (confused). What spy? Tony!? Vasili heads to a bored security guard. VASILI. I demand an immediate meeting with the head of the airport! CUT TO. A SMALL ROOM Tony stands in his boxers in the middle of a small room watching security guard looking through his bags. The first security guard carefully studies Tony’s passport. TONY (shyly). I have a flight to catch…. FIRST SECURITY GUARD. You don’t need to worry about the plane, you need to think about what are you going to do in jail. I bet in your country they are strict with spies, too. TONY (frightened). In jail? Drops of sweat appear on Tony’s forehead from the image of Ukrainian jail. The door opens, and the second security guard enters. SECOND SECURITY GUARD. Everything is fine. There is proof that he bought the water in the airport. The cashier just proved it. FIRST SECURITY GUARD (disappointed). Really? (after a pause) Did he buy soil there too? The first security guard is upset. He is clearly not going to be honored and promoted for catching a spy. SECOND SECURITY GUARD (turning to Tony). Keep in mind, we should keep you in a basement for awhile so you know what happens to people who break independence of Ukrainian nation. The irritated security guard throws the plastic bag filled with soil onto the floor, spilling much of its contents. Then he places the empty plastic bag and the passport on Tony’s open bag. FIRST SECURITY GUARD. Get dressed! CUT TO: AT THE REGISTRATION STAND YOUNG WOMAN. You better hurry up. Boarding for the last flight is almost over. CUT TO: Tony is running up the escalator. VOICE BEHIND THE SCENE. The final boarding call for flight #3283, next one is Kiev-Frankfurt. CUT TO: ANOTHER REGISTRATION STAND FRONTIER GUARD. Why did you come to Ukraine? TONY (nervously). I am in a hurry. My plane is about to leave. FRONTIER GUARD (coldly). I am asking you one more time: Why did you come to Ukraine? TONY. Tourism. Frontier guard places a stamp in Tony’s passport. CUT TO. Tony is running to the airplane. Final luggage check. Tony is nervous. VOICE BEHIND THE SCENES. The final boarding call for flight #3283, next one is Kiev-Frankfurt. CUT TO. Tony is running with an open bag toward the airplane. SVETA’S VOICE. Tony! Tony looks around and spots Sveta and Genia. Genia clings to Tony’s neck. GENIA. Yay! Tony is found! SVETA. We thought they put you somewhere for bad behavior. Tony almost drops his bag. He already forgot these two hookers he met on his first night in Ukraine. Tony doesn’t know what to do. Tony fears that with each second his chances of catching the plane lessen. He runs as fast as he could to the plane and barely made it. The door closes just behind him, and he follows a flight attendant to his seat, flopping into it with messy hair, prints of lip-gloss on his cheeks and a half-opened bag. The other passengers looked at him curiously. He still can’t believe that he made it onto the airplane. TONY. Whew! What a country! his left. More things happen here in one day than happen during a whole lifetime in America. INT. BORISPOL Vera and Vasili are outside the airport. VASILI (looking after the plane). Thank God. Looks like he left… VERA (sadly). Left…. VASILI (after a pause). Listen, Sis, I’ve wanted to ask you this for a long time, but I never got around to it. What’s hidden in Antony’s grave? VERA (calmly). Nothing VASILI (confused). How can that be? So much noise over an empty grave? I can’t understand how, out of all the stories over the past thousand years, none of them have any truth in them. VERA. No one will ever find the relics of Saint Antony. Never. VASILI. Why? VERA. It should be this way. VASILI (surprised) What do you mean “should be?” VERA. The answer is hidden in the last wish of Saint Antony. He didn’t want anyone to see his remains. Everything is so simple. To prove a sainthood, a person had to go through a lot of trials; but no matter how hard they were, a candidate was always able to twist things around to prove his purity. In other words, the outside world is like a lie detector; and if you know to lie, you can get through any challenge and pass all the exams… VASILI. And? VERA. That’s why the most difficult challenge wasn’t during the candidate’s lifetime, but a year after his death. Exactly one year after death, the body is exhumed. In order to qualify for sainthood, there are two possibilities. If the candidate was buried and had lived a pure life, his bones were supposed to be clean after a year. Those bones where then sprayed with wine and put in a special place as if they were books in a library. This tradition is also called Byzantium. In Chernigov, they still have the relics of saints who were tested this way. Chernigov Monastery, like Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, was established by Antony and carefully followed the burial traditions. In Anthon they still bury people like that.
VASILI. What if the bones weren’t perfectly clean? VERA. Now we are coming to the most interesting part. If there was still flesh left on the bones, that meant that the person was a sinner. His remains where once again buried and his followers prayed harder for the candidate’s soul so that after about five years, the bones would be pure. I think in different cases, there were different periods of time before the bones were dug up again. VASILI. What if the person wasn’t buried in the ground, like with Saint Antony? VERA. Then there is a second option. In that case, monks carefully observed what happened to the body. The main difference between the sinner and a saint is that a saint’s body dries out and remains perfectly preserved. Do you understand? The sinners rot and the saints don’t. Ancient rulers invented the method mummification to trick their nations into thinking they were saints, but saints didn’t need mummification or embalming. VASILI. I heard that mummification is needed so the person could return to his or her body. It’s how the ancient rituals are often explained. VERA. That’s not true. No one can ever return to his or her body. The true meaning of mummification is to prove to people that you are a saint. Now do you understand the point of the last challenge? The dead can’t fool people. Even if a candidate fooled everyone into believing he was a saint in life, it was clear after his death if he was truly a sinner or a saint. Saint Antony knew what would happen after his death, and that’s why he didn’t want to go through last challenge. VASILI. Then Saint Antony knew something about himself that could stand in the way of his passing the last challenge, something that no one knew except for him… VERA. Being a saint, he didn’t think he was. Like a lot of other saints, he thought that he was a sinner, putting his body through years of asceticism. Saint Antony wasn’t only wise, but he was also a practical person. He perfectly understood that if he didn’t pass the last challenge, everything he had worked for in his life would fall apart like a house of cards. Can you even imagine what could happen? If the creator of monasticism in Russia turned out to be a sinner, all the monks would be called into question, people would start having serious doubts about the Christian faith. Saint Antony couldn’t take on such a huge risk. That’s why he wouldn’t allow anyone to look at his remains. VASILI (thoughtfully). No one saw the body of Christ, either. Presumably, it appeared in the sky. Interesting, I wonder what happened to it in reality. I always just thought that no one wanted Christ to go through the last challenge. VERA (shrugging her shoulders), How can we talk about what happened two thousand years ago with a hundred percent certainty when, time to time, we can’t even figure out ourselves? VASILI (after a long pause). Tell me, who was supposed to disclose Antony’s grave following the monastery’s rules of that time? VERA. “Fedoskin, Saint Antony’s favorite student. VASILI. I am not as good in history as you are, but I think that Fedoskin wasn’t even alive at the time of his teacher’s death. VERA. You are right, Fedoskin died two months before he was supposed to disclose the grave of Antony. Fedoskin, himself, was immured in The Near Caves until seventeen years after his death when his relics where triumphantly buried in Uspenski Cathedral. CUT TO. May 1074. Fedoskin and a couple of other monks are having dinenr at a bamboo table. A shadow passes right by Fedoskin. Someone whom the audience cant see places a cup of water by Fedoskin. He drinks it. VASILI. “So could he have been killed to prevent him from going against Antony’s wishes?” VERA. Maybe it was just fate. CUT TO: IN THE CAR Vera and Vasili are driving across the bridge, with Dnieper under them. The domes of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery reflect in the water. VASILI. How did you figure it out? VERA. I received help. VASILI. Why Tony and I worked on renovation of the Monastery you went down the catacombs. VERA. It’s my job. VASILI. Tell me, what awaits Ukraine? VERA. Ukrainians will turn to the faith of their ancestors or the country will be erased from the face of the earth. There is no third choice. VASILI. How can you talk about it so calmly? VERA. Hard times await Ukraine, but I believe in its future. VASILI. How can you be so sure? VERA. Rus wasn’t baptized, it was crucified. VASILI. Who didn’t you talk you in the Near Caves? VERA (looking at Vasili and then to the side). I didn’t see his face. He had long black beard, hair…. A typical monk. INT. CHICAGO Tony is driving down the streets of Chicago, unintentionally compares it to Ukraine. CUT TO: TONY’S APARTMENT. His apartment looks as if it hadn’t been occupied in years. His things all lying in their places, nothing had changed in his house. There is beer still in the refrigerator, and the pillows are carelessly thrown on the bed where he had left them. Crossing his legs, Tony sits on the carpet in his living room slowly unpacking his things. The nearly empty plastic bag falls out of his bag onto the floor. Tony thoughtfully poures what little soil there is left into his palm. A handful of soil, the goal of his trip, his grandfather’s dying wish. Tony squeezed it tight in his hand. CUT TO: TONY’S APARTMENT – EVENING Tony goes to Graceland Cemetery, where his late grandfather was buried . He carefully opens his hand, letting the Ukrainian soil fall on his grandpa’s grave. The circle closed. He had done what his grandfather had wanted him to do and understood the secret meaning of the will. CUT TO. KIEV Vera slowly walks by the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. A burst of strong wind hits her. She never felt so alone… 51 INT. CHICAGO – THE LAWYER’S OFFICE LAWYER. Congratulations! Now you can access the money any time you like and do anything you want with it. TONY. Thank you.”(Tony raises his head and looks into the lawyer’s eyes). I wanted to ask you something.” The lawyer raised his eyebrows. “I still can’t understand, where did Grandpa get this money? Grandpa wasn’t rich. Although he worked, he wasn’t paid very well; and there is no way he could have saved so much money in such a short period of time. After he retired, he hardly left his home. LAWYER (smiling kindly). your grandfather made his fortune by investing in the stock market. It was his hobby after he retired. He only started playing stocks after he left his job. Starting basically from zero, he earned extraordinary return percentages. Your grandfather had an amazing intuition. He always knew where to invest his money. I’m probably the only person who wasn’t surprised that he wanted you to inherit the money. TONY. I would like you to take care of my finances, like you took care of my grandfather’s finances. The lawyer smiles sincerely at Tony. Tony realizes that this was the first time he had seen the lawyer’s true face. He looks like a completely different person without his fake smile. His movements are easy and confident, and Tony sees sadness and sorrow in his eyes. TONY. I am sorry for a personal question, but who are you by blood? LAWYER. I am American, but my roots are French. I spend a week or two in Paris every year. It’s the home of my ancestors even though most of my relatives where killed by Nazis while defending France in the Second World War. After the war, two-thirds of the people born in Western Europe who fled to the United States to escape Nazi persecution returned home, but I stayed here…(pause) That’s the way my life formed. America became my home. My children and grandchildren live here. They’re probably a lot happier than we are because they don’t know the sorrow of homesickness. They don’t know how painful it can be. The lawyer thoughtfully looks out the window. LAWYER. Your grandfather was right, you know. After you completed his last wish, you received something more valuable than any money. TONY (amazed). A handful of soil…. LAWYER. You inherited the home of your ancestors, their beliefs, and maybe even love. I never executed a more generous will. TONY. You knew what my grandfather meant from the very start! I nearly desecrated the grave of a saint looking for gold and jewels! Why didn’t you warn me before I went off in search of treasure that never existed? LAWYER. Young man, there are some things that can’t be explained with words. Everyone can bend down and take up a handful of soil, but not everyone can hear the voice of blood in it. 52 INT. CHICAGO – LAKE MICHIGAN Tony slowly walks down the shores of Lake Michigan, talking on the phone. TONY. Vera, I mailed an invitation to America to the American Embassy in Ukraine in your name. You only need to go there and get your visa. It will take only a few minutes, and then you can come to me. Ok? I love you, and every free minute I have, I think about you… INT. CHICAGO SUBURBS Nancy is talking with construction workers by Tony’s late grandfather’s house. Tony steps out of his car. NANCY (surprised). Hey, Tony! We were just talking about reconstruction. Tony looks at the house. TONY. What are you planning to reconstruct? NANCY. Practically everything, so it will be easier to sell. TONY. I will go inside. Did you do anything there yet? NANCY. No, we haven’t touched a thing. Nancy and constriction workers are left on the street, while Tony walks into a house. CUT TO: INSIDE GRANDFATHER’S HOUSE TONY (to himself) Where am I? America or Ukraine? Tony is standing inside a typical Ukrainian home of the last century. Pictures of landspaces and Ukrainian scenery are hung on the walls. The picture of Kiev-Pechersk Monastery rules in the middle.. Footsteps. Nancy walks in. NANCY. We will throw out this trash. I already made arrangements regarding the walls. Tony thoughtfully looks at the domes ok Kiev’s churches, that are illustrated on the pictures. TONY. How much do you think this house costs, now? NANCY (biting her lips). In it’s current condition, it can’t be more than forty thousand, but after reconstructions we can negotiate around sixty thousand. Tony straightens his back, brushing off chills. TONY. Don’t touch anything. I will give you sixty thousand. 54. INT. TONY’S APARTMENT – CHICAGO TONY (happily) Vera, I bought grandpa’s house, today. We will be living in it, together. I am sure you will feel as if you are still in Ukraine and not in America. VERA’S VOICE. I am not coming to America. TONY (confused) Why? What happened? VERA’S VOICE. They rejected me at the American Embassy. TONY. How could they reject you? Why? I will use all of my connections to help us! I will get the most powerful people I know to write letters. The embassy will listen to them! Please, don’t get upset…”Don’t worry, you will get an American visa. VERA’S VOICE. Tony, don’t do anything, I beg you. I will not go to the American Embassy again. TONY. What do you mean you aren’t going? Why? VERA’S VOICE (stubbornly). I am not going to go. The kind of humiliation that I felt in your embassy, I had never felt before. TONY. Wait, I will call them myself right now. I’ll call you back in twenty minutes. CUT TO: AMERICAN EMBASSY IN KIEV CONSUL. I understand, but who is she to you? She isn’t your wife; she’s just a typical Ukrainian woman who wants to go to The United States and stay there forever. Every year, fifty thousand people emigrate from Ukraine to America. She is a single pregnant woman who couldn’t prove her connection with the mother country… CUT TO: TONY’S APARTMENT TONY. I just talked to the American Embassy in Kiev. The man, he said that you were pregnant when you went to get your visa. (pause) You didn’t have to lie... Vera continues to stay silent, and that silence alerts Tony. There was something unusual in her silence. TONY (carelessly). Vera? Is it true? VERA’S VOICE (coldly). Does it matter? TONY. It does matter. Is it true or not? VERA’S VOICE. Tony, you are an American and you live in The USA. I am Ukrainian and I live in Ukraine. Why can’t you understand? We will never be together, so let’s forget about it! TONY. What do you mean forget about it? I love you, and I want to be with you! I am Ukrainian just like you are! VERA’S VOICE (sorrow laughter). What kind of Ukrainian are you? You don’t even know Ukrainian language. TONY (passionately). I will learn! You will see! VERA’S VOICE (confidentially). No, Tony, I won’t see. TONY. I will marry you! We will have a child! VERA’S VOICE (coldly). I don’t want to. TONY. You don’t love me? VERA’S VOICE (helplessly). That isn’t the problem. I just don’t want to change countries and start all over again. I don’t want you to think that I only married you for money! TONY. Forget the money! Money never made anyone happy. I’ll give it all to charity, and we will start again with nothing. As long as I have you, I don’t need money. Vera’s sobbing is heard. Tony helplessly looks at the phone – not knowing what to do. INT. MICHAEL’S OFFICE – CHICAGO MICHAEL (emotionally) Tony, you are insane if you are going to invest money in that country. It is written in black and white that the country has a huge level of risk. The criminality and everything! Investing money in it is like playing roulette. First you win, and then you lose everything to the last thread! Forget even thinking about it. TONY (nodding toward the map) But you’ve invested money everywhere in the world! Why not Ukraine? MICHAEL. We aren’t talking about better or worse? Tony, I don’t follow emotions. I follow sober calculations! I only invest money where I feel it will be safe. Michael always had this illusion that money was alive. For him, money was just like people. They came to invest and then came back for profit. MICHAEL (after a pause). I don’t give a damn what kind of political system they have there!” continued Michael. “Money doesn’t care what the name of the bank is or what kind of flag flies above it – with swastika or red stars. Money needs stabilization. Do you understand? Stabilization! There was never any stabilization in your Ukraine and there is never going to be! People invest money in our fund and I do everything I can to be sure that their money is in safe hands and isn’t going to be invested in any risky operations. Tony stands up and gets ready to leave. Stopping at the door. TONY. Michael, who are you by blood? MICHAEL. What? TONY. I mean, where are your ancestors from? MICHAEL. Oh… about that? From Italy. In some sort, I am an Italian. TONY. Tell me, do you invest money in businesses in Italy? MICHAEL. Of course, I do. (Michael fixes the collar of his shirt). Italy isn’t Ukraine, by the way. I have plenty of relatives there, and they are ready to support me day or night. TONY. Well then…(confidentially). I will invest my own money in Ukraine, disregard the risk. (thoughtfully) Listen, Michael, who did we bomb? MICHAEL. What do you mean by “we”? TONY. Americans. We bombed Yugoslavia, the country in the center of Europe; countries of Middle East, Afghanistan… And in The USA, some people come from those countries, those countries that we bombed. Look what turns out. American pilots bomb the graves of their ancestors, killing their distant relatives, but still relatives. MICHAEL (surprised). What do bombs have to do with anything? TONY. Bombs produced and delivered by money, money like ours, Tell me, did you ever think about why so many countries don’t like Americans? Well, it’s because we murder a couple of thousand innocent people and that can’t be justified by trying to catch one or two even very dangerous criminals. By the way, you don’t need all those diplomas (Tony nodes toward the wall by the table), to understand that wars aren’t for freedom and democracy, and that they are fought just for power. Yugoslavia was bombed to take control of The Balkan, and our soldiers went to Iraq just to get oil for themselves. I wonder what you will say if, all of the sudden, American planes bomb Italy? MICHAEL (irritated). Don’t ask me, ask the government. 56 INT. SUBURBS Tony is at his mother’s house. They are talking, sitting on the grass. TONY. Mommy, I transferred half of the money into your account, and the other half I decided to invest in Ukraine. TONY’S MOTHER (sadly). You decided to return there. Your grandfather told me that graves are like magnets, pulling people toward them. Only now I start to realize what he meant.(after a pause) A person can live without knowing anything of his past; but once in a lifetime, in an intersection, something suddenly pushes him out of his warm bed and he leaves for a trip. First, he goes to different places, and then he realizes that, in some places, he feels warmth as if coming back to a baby’s crib. Why does it happen there and not anywhere else in the world? It may be that this place is extremely dangerous for the body; but for the soul, it’s amazingly comforting. Sometimes you can’t logically explain it, but who understands the memory of soil will understand what happens to him. TONY (emotionally). Mommy, come with me. TONY’S MOTHER. Too late. You can’t replant old trees, and the graves of people close to me are here. Someone has to visit them once in a while. Dead ones never feel themselves dead. It feels as if they’re still alive, always trying to stand by you… Tony, you are young, and your whole life is ahead of you. I believe in you. Your grandfather used to say, ‘follow your emotions, heart, mind, soul, and don’t be afraid of anything.’ Remember what it says in the bible? Look at Moses. He had everything you could wish for - money, society, calm future - but there came a day when Moses stepped out into the unknown to save his nation from slavery, even though it promised sacrifices. TONY (helplessly) But mom, what can I do? What kind of Moses am I? I am just a regular person. Mother reaches her arms out and pats her son on the head like she did when he was three years old. She hadn’t done that for a long time, a very long time… TONY’S MOTHER. You aren’t no one. You have your Home land. 57. INT. CHICAGO Michael’s car turns onto Tony’s street. He can’t stop thinking about the last conversation he had with his friend. Michael is concerned. Michael stares in surprise at the sign on the grass that said “For Sale.” He goes up the stairs, but the door is locked. The windows are shut with blinds. Michael looks around. A woman in her forties is watering plants by her house next door. MICHAEL. Hey. Where is Tony? TONY’S NEIGHBOR (surprised). What? You don’t know? He put the house up for sale and went to The Ukraine himself. Michael is shocked and speechless. Once again he looks at the sign, the flowers. Tony couldn’t leave like this without saying goodbye. Michael looks up at the sky. Who knows, maybe his friend is sitting in one of those planes flying above his head right now. CUT TO: INSIDE THE AIRPLANE Tony is sitting thoughtfully looking through his Grandfather’s photographs and papers Vera’s picture. Cards with landscapes of Kiev. Tony looks at his grandfather’s photo. Thos eyes look right at Tony as if trying to read him. Tony feels as if his grandfather is sitting right next to him. CUT TO. The airplane disappears in the clouds.
THE END
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