Russian Doll

Scene 1

Int. Late Evening, Grandma Luba’s apt.

In a small room with big windows, stands a dinner table with great many dishes, cakes, quishes, a big fancy box and a vintage Russian tea set. Two women sit by the table. One of them (LUBA, 85) is an elderly woman, with her hair very neatly done. She wears a light blue tracksuit and a pearl necklace. The other woman (MAYA, 60) is about 20 years younger, wears glasses, slightly messy, looks extremely tired. She is reading a book in Russian and nodding monotonously to Luba’s incessant talk.

LUBA

Is what you’re reading so interesting you can’t be bothered to help me set the table?

MAYA

(Looking up from her book)

I see you’ve managed just fine without me

Maya returns to reading and Luba turners away with a sullen face. Quickly she returns to a slight smile and a cheerful hum. She moves each and every cup, cake and teaspoon with care. She opens the big fancy box and takes out a great Napoleon cake.

MAYA

(Talking almost to herself)

No, you didn’t exaggerate. At. All.

She’ll come up for 10 minutes, talk only about herself, and skip away with some excuse. Who will eat the cake? You? With your sugar?

LUBA

It’s her favorite cake. If she doesn’t eat it, you eat it. That’s not like you have a figure to save. Or anyone to care about your figure.

In any case, she won’t come in for just 10 minutes. She told me she has news.

Maya opens her mouth to answer but changes her mind and returns to her book. A brief knock on the door and a young beautiful woman (Nathaly) walks in without waiting for anyone to let her in. Her appearance is artistic and fashionable. She carries a large bag with paper sticking out.

NATHALY

Good morning, pretties!

Luba walks fastly to her, hugs and kisses her. Maya gives Nathaly a crooked smile, puts down her book and stands up. Standing is difficult for her, she slightly shakes and grabs a walking stick leaning on the table.

NATHALY

Mom, don’t stand up, I’ll sit down.

The three of them sit down around the table. Nathaly sits closer to Luba. Luba pours the tea from the Russian tea set and puts cookies on the tea plates.

LUBA (facing Nathaly)

How are you Nathashenka? I haven’t seen you in so long. Don’t you miss your babushka?

NATHALY

Yes, of course I do, but you know I’m super busy. I have a lot of meetings abroad now…

Maya rolls her eyes and pulls the cake closer to her and takes a knife to cut it. Luba sees it and quickly pulls the cake to her and grabs the knife from Maya’s hand. She cuts a big piece and serves it to Nathaly.

LUBA

Here you go, my darling. I think you lost some weight.

NATHALY

Oh, I definitely didn’t. All I do is sit on the computer and eat.

Mom, take it, it’s your favorite cake, isn’t it?

MAYA

No, thank you. I’m not in the mood for all that sugar.

Luba frowns at Maya and turns to look at Nathaly.

LUBA

I spoke to Ronny yesterday, and he told me Jennifer is pregnant again. I’m sure you know it already, the little rascal always tells you everything first.

NATHALY (smiles)

I do try to be an involved big sister.

MAYA (while pooling te cake back to her)

Maybe I will take a small slice

Maya cuts a large slice and begins eating it fastly. She stuffed her mouth with more and more cake/ Luba and Nathaly exchange glances.

LUBA

Enjoy your cake

NATHALY

Enjoy your cake

LUBA (pours more tea for Nathaly and strikes her shoulder)

You look a little pale, my darling. Are you eating well? Taking your vitamins?

When was the last time you got a check-up?

NATHALY

Babushka! I’m fine, I’m eating well, I’m not pale, stop fussing

LUBA

Well, you look… Different...

NATHALY

Different from what? You haven’t seen me in a while, how can you tell I look different (She reaches out for the cake but changes her mind)

Is there anything salty?

Luba looks at her with big eyes and nods to her belly.

NATHALY

Babushka! No, I’m not pregnant!

LUBA

I didn’t say anything!

It’s just that all my friends keep showing me pictures of great-grandchildren…

NATHALY

You have great-grandkids! And another one on the way.

Mom! Tell her!

Maya ignores them both, gets up, takes her cane and walks slowly to the bathroom.

LUBA

I’m telling you she’s walking so slowly just to prove I’m a bad mother

NATHALY

I keep asking about the cane, I still can’t figure it out

LUBA

She never told you?

NATHALY

       Every time I ask she tells me a different story.

You know mom, lying is like breathing to her.

Actually, I would like to talk about it once she’s back

Maya returns slowly, sits back and immediately takes her book.

LUBA

So what did you want to talk to us about?

NATHALY (takes a deep breath)

Ok. I have big news.

I wrote a new book, it’s different from anything I’ve written before

LUBA

Oh my darling, good for you!

But please don’t overwork yourself. If you don’t make time for your husband, how will I ever get my great-grandkids?

NATHALY

You have grandkids!

Listen, it’s important.

I wrote a book in Russian, about us, our family. About all you went through during the war, your divorce from grandpa, everything that happened to your mom… My childhood in Odessa and how we ran away at night, until we got to New-York.

I’m translating it to English. And… I already have a publishing deal!

MAYA (sullenly)

You? Wrote a whole book in Russian? Since when is your Russian good enough for a whole book?

You didn’t call me once to check your spelling.

How long did it take you to write this Brudenbrocks story?

NATHALY

About 3 years, on and off.

I didn’t call you because I was working with a Russian editor, she was a huge help.

MAYA

I see. There wasn’t any information you were missing? It’s the first time I heard about this book

LUBA (proudly)

I knew she was working on something great

NATHALY

Look, it’s based on everything you ever told me (turns to Maya) and you know I have a great memory. Of course in some parts I took… some artistic liberty.

LUBA

Oy, like we have any big secrets.

NATHALY

Exactly babushka. There’s almost nothing in there you haven’t told me yourselves. Besides, most of the people are already dead (turns to Maya) your father, my father.

The thing is, I got an international publishing deal, but the contract is really tough and they need me to bring signed waivers from anyone who's mentioned in the book, anyone that’s still alive. And I only have you two left.

MAYA

What did your brother say?

NATHALY

He signed it already. He trusts me.

LUBA

Such a good boy. I trust you too. Where do I sign?

MAYA

Well, I’m not signing anything until I read it all!

NATHALY

 Mom, really, there is nothing in it you haven’t told me during the years

MAYA

Oy, what do you even know about what happened in Odessa? You were so little

NATHALY

I remember everything you told me, and I have my own memories.

It’s not like we were a crime family back there!

Signing it is just a legal formality, but if I don’t get it, no book deal

MAYA

I want to read it. I’m curious to know how you interpret reality

NATHALY

I would love you to read it, but I have to send out the signed waivers this week

MAYA

I’m a fast reader.

Did Dan sign it? As far as I remember your husband is so very very private

NATHALY(chews on her lower lip)

Dan is not in the book.

Dan isn’t a part of my story any longer

LUBA

What are you talking about?

NATHALY

I didn’t want to talk about it today…

Dan and I are getting a divorce

LUBA

Did he do something? He cheated? Did he lay a hand on you?

Nathaly

No babushka, nothing like that

LUBA

Well, whatever it is I’m sure you two can work it out. You look so great together, he is so much taller than you, it’s lovely

NATHALY (her voice cracks)

Babushka, I can’t stay with someone just because he’s taller than me and we look great together!

LUBA

Then I really don’t understand. Dan is a perfectly nice boy. And what about kids? You’re not getting any younger

NATHALY (starts sobbing, her make up is running)

It’s just… complicated

MAYA

Mom! What do kids have to do with anything? And to hear it from you of all people? Sometimes you need to make difficult decisions

Maya grabs a paper napkin, leans over and cleans Nathaly’s face. She strokes Nathaly’s shoulder and pushes the cake to her. Nathaly sniffles and looks into Maya’s eyes. (Close up in to Nathaly’s eyes)

Scene 2

Int. Evening, hallway of Luba’s apartment in Odessa, early 90’s

(Close up on eyes similar to older Natahly’s).

Little girl Nathaly is looking up to a young Maya. Maya is leaning on a walking cane and carrying a large bag. They are standing in a hallway in front of a large dark door. Maya takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. After a few seconds the door opens and a much younger Luba is standing there with extremely straight posture.

MAYA (her voice is shaking)

Mom…

LUBA (opens the door wider and silently nodes to Maya and Nathaly to go in)

I know

Scene 3

Int. Evening, Luba’s apartment in Odessa, early 90’s

Maya and Nathaly walk into the lounge of a small but surprisingly airy apartment. On one wall there’s a carpet and on the dinner table stands a Russian tea set from the first scene. Next to the table sat a tall handsome man.

NATHALY (excitingly runs to the man)

Daddy!

MAYA

What the hell are you doing here?

I’m not interested in talking about it again!

LUBA

Alexandr came to me because he knew I would understand the situation.

I think you two should talk, no need to rush things

MAYA (turns to Luba and screams at her)

He told you everything? He told you what he wants me to do? Probably asked for your help!

She chokes with crying and strokes her belly, she’s in the early stages of pregnancy.

Alex (takes Nathaly and sits her up in his lap)

Maya, can we please talk about it without screaming?

We shouldn’t scare Natasha, don’t you think?

LUBA

Maya, go home. Be a wise woman. You can leave Natasha here for a few days, even a few weeks if you’ll need it. You can fix it, just listen to your husband. You know I can help with that.

Come Natashenka, I’ll set up the bed in the small room.

NATHALY (hugging Alex)

Mom, I don’t want to sleep here, let’s go home with daddy!

Daddy, let’s all go home!

MAYA (hysterical)

Oh, of course! Of course she doesn’t want to leave, she loves you more than me!

ALEX

Just have a cup of water and calm down.

Your daughter wants us to go home, I want us to go home.

(turns to Nathaly) go with grandma to take a nap in the small room. Mom and Dad will talk for a bit and we will all go home.

MAYA

Don’t promise anything to her! Stop with all the lying!!

Save it for your stories, not for your family!

Luba grabs Nathaly and walks her to another room while mumbling something to herself about her messed up daughter.

MAYA (angrily whispers to Alex)

Are you afraid I will tell her everything? That your kid will know you never wanted her?

You came to my mother because of what she does? So she’ll turn her back on me and I will have to crawl back to you?

ALEX (trying to console her)

Maya, my pet, with everything happening now in the USSR , everything falling apart and another mouth to feed is the last thing we need.

And yes, your mother can help us, fast.

MAYA (crying)

The USSR? The USSR? Do you really think I care about whatever happens in the USSR?

My back is broken, I’m tiered! But i’m still not giving up on this baby!

Maya stops sobbing, comes close to Alex, holds both of his hands and looks right in his eyes.

Alex, we have an amazing little girl. Don’t you want a little boy to play with? So Nathasha will have a baby brother, and not grow up alone?

ALEX

Please think logically. This is a scary time, but if I catch this wave of changes I can make something with my life. Another kid will only ruin everything. I can quit my job, and… and you, you hate all my work trips, so no more of these!

MAYA (pushes his hands down)

“Work trips”? You mean your sex adventures in the capital?

ALEX (continue talking calmly)

If I’ll be able to make a living writing, I won’t have to go on those trips

MAYA (screams)

I AM NOT DOING THIS!

LUBA (walks back into the room)

Be quiet, I just got her down!

Maya, children are a miracle, I’m the first to admit it…

MAYA

You are the first to admit it?? You??

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