Condemned Gold. Script in English according novel «Russian scenario for Hollywood»

In my right pocket.

COWBOY glances at his jacket

COWBOY

Take it… there, in the right pocket.

6

WILLKIE unbuttons the pocket and takes out a folded white envelope.

COWBOY (CONT’D)

It does not have a name on it, the

name of the owner of the land and

the gold mine. Write you name,

son… Go to Los Angeles, you need

to go to Gold Star, find Richard

Taylor and show him this paper.

COWBOY coughs

COWBOY (CONT’D)

But there is more, son. There is

more. There is a place in Russia

where there are sand dunes of

gold…

COWBOY chocks and falls silent.

For some time WILLKIE keeps looking at the dead man. Then he folds the envelope and puts it in his shirt pocket.

INT. ARTEMIEV’S OFFICE – GEOLOGY INSTITUTE – MODERN RUSSIA – DAY

INSERT SHOT – OLD YELLOW PAGES OF THE NOTEBOOK

7

Diary of a Convict:

V.O. LIUBOV ARTEMIEVA

March 1966. I just now realized how stupid it was! I do not even know his name. He said that he was an American journalist and writes essays on the Russian nature. I called him a Yankee as a joke. It seemed he wasn’t offended. So I called him Jan – for short. My boy – he has his eyes.

ARTEMIEVA’S HAND TURNS PAGE AFTER PAGE

September 1966. I nearly went mad with grief when my son was taken away from me.

November 1967. My son is one year and two months! How is he there? How does he look now?

August 1968. It’s him! Damn, Jan! I recognized him immediately. What the hell is he doing here in the prison? How did he get here? And this woman with him – very well dressed. No, I’m not jealous!

August 1968. I was allowed a meeting with Jan! But what to tell him? That our son was taken away from me.

August 1968. I’m afraid. It is possible that the risk would cost me even longer, if not eternal separation from my dear son!

August. In 1968. I ran away from camp with Jan!

BACK TO SCENE

ARTEMIEV closes the diary.

8

INT. CLASS ROOM – GEOLOGY INSTITUTE – MODERN RUSSIA – DAY

NICHOLAY YURSKY a twenty-five year old lecturer stands in front of his students.

YURSKY

I have good news for you guys, the

expedition was approved.

Students get excited

YURSKY

So have you decided who is going?

KOVALEV – a well-built guy with small black eyes, stands up.

KOVALEV

Yes. I’ll go, Misha Samokhvalov and

Nastya Barsukova!

STUDENT 1