A Tricky Game

Looks more like bullshit to me.

MACBRIDE

If this looks like bullshit to you then why would they want me to go there?

PAVEL

No idea, man.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. ANGELA’S HOUSE (MOSCOW) – THREE DAYS LATER – DAY

Cleared off slush, the stairs of the entrance glisten in the sun.

The silver Bentley pulls up. Angela steps out and heads into the building.

The driver follows her, carrying the two bouquets, pink tulips one and red roses one, and a brown leather overnight bag.

INT. ANGELA’S HOUSE/7TH FLOOR (MOSCOW) – DAY

Angela comes to the door with the “7B” set in brass in the wood panelling and rings the DOORBELL.

The lock CLICKS and the door opens.

MARIA ALEKSEEVNA, a stern looking woman, aged 60, in horn-rimmed old-fashioned spectacles, wearing a red apron, streaked with flour, over the dark blue woollen dress, opens the door.

Angela glances at the apron and smiles.

ANGELA

Zdrastvuite, Maria Alekseevna.

Maria Alekseevna brushes the flour streaks off her apron.

MARIA ALEKSEEVNA (CONT’D)

Zdravstvui, Angela. Welcome back.

INT. ANGELA’S FLAT/HALLWAY (MOSCOW) – DAY

Angela heads along the hallway into one of the rooms.

The driver hands the two bouquets and the overnight bag to Maria Alekseevna and leaves.

EXT. ANGELA’S HOUSE/sTAIRS (MOSCOW) – DAY – LATER

MacBride and Pavel walk up the stairs, heading into the building.

INT. ANGELA’S HOUSE/7TH FLOOR (MOSCOW) – DAY

At the door to the flat “7B”, MacBride and Pavel share a hesitant look. Pavel brings his head to the door and listens then nods to MacBride. MacBride takes the key out and slides it into the lock. It CLICKS.

The door opens.

INT. ANGELA’S FLAT/HALLWAY (MOSCOW) – DAY

Silhouetted in the doorframe, Maria Alekseevna, hands on hips, stands.

MARIA ALEKSEEVNA

Who the hell are you?

MACBRIDE

I… we’re friends of Angela.

Blocking the way, Maria Alekseevna looks MacBride and Pavel over.

MARIA ALEKSEEVNA (CONT’D)

I see.

MacBride turns to Pavel.

MACBRIDE (CONT’D)

Pavel, tell her!

INT. ANGELA’S FLAT/LIVING ROOM (MOSCOW) – DAY

Sunshine streams in through the large windows, playing on the rows of book spines in the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

In the middle of the room, facing the windows, a French style sofa, upholstered in linen, stands. On a glass coffee table, a vase with pink tulips is placed.

Angela sits on the sofa, looking at the screen of her laptop. On the screen stock exchange graphs and figures are displayed.

Maria Alekseevna opens the door and peers in.

MARIA ALEKSEEVNA

There are two men here for you.

ANGELA

(keeping her eyes on the laptop screen)

Which men?