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St. Petersburg
Copyright 2008 Christina M. Guerrero
DEDICATION
[Psalm 37:4].
STORY BEHIND THE STORY
After I researched Russia for several projects, everything I had learned
condensed together into this little story which I think would make a great short film.
ABOUT THE SECOND DRAFT
No first draft.
I've probably mangled the screenplay format, so my apologies
to anyone who knows how to do it properly.
I have studied the format, but it's been a while.
FADE IN
EXT. ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA -- DAY -- CRANE SHOT -- LOOKING DOWN
from the TOP of the BRONZE HORSEMAN, which is isolated in a ray of soft white LIGHT.
A WOMAN appears, rather tiny as she walks to the huge statue and looks up. This is IVY. She is dressed in a business suit and is holding a book.
She stares at the statue for a while, as the LIGHT around her fades, revealing a vague, shimmery St. Petersburg around her.
She flinches as a female VOICE speaks.
VOICE(V.O.)
Hey, Ivy?
Ivy was happy; now she is irritated.
VOICE(V.O.)
Ivy?
Ivy sighs, then turns and walks away from the BRONZE HORSEMAN.
INT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE - DAY - MEDIUM SHOT
on Ivy, who is reading a colorful travel book entitled "St. Petersburg."
She is fairly attractive, late 30s, rather serious. She puts the book down next to her lunch.
IVY
Hey, Jill.
MEDIUM SHOT --
on Jill, also late 30s and in a business suit, and IVY.
JILL
Hal will be out sick the rest of the week.
Take your pick of his stories:
Cute kid poops out wedding ring;
missing autistic Russian;
famous rock group at our only venue in town.
IVY
Autistic Russian.
INT. ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA -- DAY -- HERMITAGE MUSEUM -- MEDIUM DOLLY SHOT
on IVY as she walks down an elaborately decorated hallway, looking around, slowly. The IMAGES around her are SHIMMERY and VAGUE, like ST. PETERSBURG near the BRONZE HORSEMAN.
JILL(V.O.)
Hey, Ivy.
IVY tiptoes to an alcove, which is CLEARER than its surroundings, and hides.
JILL(V.O.)
(fainter)
Ivy?
After a moment, IVY steps out and walks into the SHIMMERY, VAGUE images.
INT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE -- DAY -- MEDIUM SHOT
on JILL and IVY, who puts her book down next to her lunch.
JILL
Great job on the autistic Russian.
IVY
Thank you!
JILL
His family says you were very kind.
I didn't know that you speak Russian.
IVY
I speak a little.
JILL
Just a little? They said you spoke well,
and like a native.
IVY
Well, thanks.
JILL
Uh ... would you be interested in writing
more human interest stories?
IVY
I will write just about anything
as long as you pay me to do so.
JILL
Awesome.
EXT. ST. PETERSBURG -- EVENING -- NEVSKY PROSPECT -- MEDIUM SHOT
on IVY, who is walking along the busy street, which bustles, NOISILY and in FULL CLEAR COLOR around her.
She walks for a while, then stops and looks around, slowly, SCANNING the street, the buildings, the people, the cars.
After a few moments she reaches into her jacket and pulls out a medium-sized envelope. She opens it, extracts a card and reads it.
EXTREME CLOSE-UP -- INTERIOR OF CARD
which is filled with various types of handwriting and greetings: "Good luck in your new life!" "You're moving to Russia???" "Have fun in the 'democratic capitalist' Russia." "Be careful! You'll always be a journalist."
MEDIUM SHOT -- IVY
As she puts the card away.
She smiles.
Then she walks away ... into the crowds ... into the twilight ... into St. Petersburg.
FADE OUT
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