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PRODUCED BY SKYWAY PRODUCTION

Who’s here?

One,

two,

three,

four, five.

Ready or not, here I come

ANNA, THE DETECTIVE

The audience is entranced, and he says,

THE ENGINEER EPISODE 23

“The electricity will be so cheap that only the rich will use candles.”

-What a great man! -Is Edison your idol?

No, no. You are my idol, my dearest Anna. Only you.

“I still long for you with all my soul, Still look for your image in my memories.

Your dear, unforgettable face is always with me,

Unreachable and unchanging, as a star in the night sky.”

Bravo.

-Do you think I’m ridiculous? -Of course not.

I like Tyutchev, too. It’s just that nobody ever read poetry to me.

-I don’t believe you. -It’s the truth. Uncle doesn’t count.

-Your uncle? -My uncle. In fact, he is my only friend.

Anna Viktorovna, you are a miracle and a mystery.

We’ve been working together for a whole week,

and still I know nothing about you.

You are “unreachable and unchanging, as a star in the night sky.”

-It’s a pity you only see me as a client. -But you are...

Come on.

Nothing stops us from being good friends.

-Let’s go back to work. -Let’s.

Her neck is broken. There are no other injuries.

Did she fall and break her neck?

Right after robbing the vault.

By the way, the killer was a man. A very strong one.

Why do you think so?

Her neck was broken in one movement.

No signs of a break-in.

-Where is the lodger? -They say he had left a couple hours ago.

-How long has he been staying here? -For a week.

What’s going on here? Killing maids in broad daylight!

I don’t know, sir.

The maid went in to clean the room right after the engineer had left.

The suspect was cracking the safe at that moment.

What’s the engineer’s name?

Ernest Petrovich Busse. He came from St. Petersburg a week ago.

He’s a technical engineer specializing in electric machines,

osted at the garrison headquarters.

When did you find out all this?

I just talked to the waiters.

Maybe your moustache was slowing you down, Anton Andreyevich.

Good. Now talk to the rest of the staff.

The murderer couldn’t have flown into a window.

He must have passed the doorman, go upstairs and down the hall.

Someone must have seen him.

Yes, definitely.

Yakov Platonovich, I don’t suppose I’m needed any longer.

Yes, thank you, Doctor.

Anton Andreyevich.

If you please.

Goodbye.

Come in.

How often are the rooms cleaned?

Every day, sir. Mr. Engineer is at work at this time most of the days.

And the rest of the days?

Sometimes he stays and works at the cafe downstairs with the translator.

They are translating magazine articles about inventions.

-What’s the translator’s name? -I don’t know, sir.

Take her away.

Let me through! It’s my room. I live here.

How did it happen? Who are you?

Detective Yakov Platonovich Shtolman. Mr. Busse, I presume?

Yes, I am.

-A woman was killed in your room. -Thank you, I’ve been told that.

Anna Viktorovna, what are you doing here?

Translating for Ernest Petrovich.

I realize this isn’t pleasant for any of us.

But there’s no need to glare at me like tigers... like snakes.

Usually M-lle Mironova and I are at work at this time of day.

Either at the local bar room, or at a cafe in town.

I don’t suppose I need to explain

why Anna Viktorovna can’t be alone in a room with a single man.

What is M-lle Mironova translating for you?

M-lle Mironova is translating...

It’s technical translations from English.

Thank you.

What are you working on? What are you doing here in Zatonsk?

-It’s a military secret. -How do you mean?

Literally.

I was hired by the garrison commanders for a certain job

I have no right to talk about.

Are any secret papers missing from the safe?

No, thank God. I took them with me to work on them.

Do you only keep documents there?

Yes. My money is always with me.

Does anyone else know about your secret mission?

The chief of staff.

What does it matter? Who needs these blueprints, secret or not?

My task is a pure technical one, related to electricity. That’s all I can say.

-Who do you report to? -The chief of staff.

Excuse me, I… I need to get myself together.

Anna Viktorovna. What happened here... It’s horrible...

And... Could you give me some privacy?

-Of course. -Thank you.

I’ll post a constable outside the door. For your own safety.

Poor girl.

Yes. How long have you been working with the engineer?

Since he had arrived.

Is going on walks with him a part of your job description?

Of course not.

Did you notice anything strange? Was anyone following him?

I didn’t even think of that.

What kind of person is he?

-A nice one. -Whom does he see?

No one, while I was with him. We spend together two-three hours a day.

I think we haven’t seen each other for two weeks.

Yes. I suppose so.

And now this occasion.

As usual. Someone has to die for us to meet.

Yakov Platonovich, don’t say such things. It’s a blasphemy.

It’s the truth. I was going to visit you one of these days, but...

I was busy.

Well, goodbye.

-Anna Viktorovna. -Yes?

Yes.

Our engineer is a proper lady’s man. He had five night visitors this week,

all of them ladies.

Who were they?

Unknown. They say they looked like girls of easy virtue.

Anything else?

The waiters have noticed a gentleman frequenting

the bar-room for the last week.

He doesn’t live at the hotel.

He sits there with a cup of coffee and a newspaper.

Grey beard, a slight foreign accent?

That's right. Could it be...

Exactly. Did he come today?

Yes. But nobody knows when and where. They are used to his presence.

Question all the staff members. They must know something.

Definitely. Nobody will escape me.

-See you at the precinct. -Yes.

Who is there?

-It’s me, Ernest Petrovich. -Anna? Did you forget something?

-May I come in and explain? -Yes, of course. Come in.

Could you let me stay here alone for a while?

Excuse me, I...

If I could concentrate, I might see something here...

Something that would help the investigation.

-I’m not sure I understand. -Didn’t you hear anything about me?

What was I to hear?

Did you call me?

Where were you two hours ago?

Dandy is watching Razumovsky’s house. I was posted across from the hotel.

Jean came inside.

He came inside, and you stayed across the street?

Yes, sir. He knows me by sight. There’s no place to hide inside.

So I didn’t come in. He drinks his coffee there every day.

Coffee? Do you know a maid was killed at the hotel two hours ago?

No.

-Do you have any idea who did it? -Did he? But why?

-Who is engineer Busse? -I never heard of him.

Right. Now you know everything.

Is that a fact? I mean...

Is it possible?

Yes. I’m surprised you haven’t heard about it before.

I’m a kind of local celebrity, so to say.

Let me put it straight: you’re going to talk to...

the killed maid, aren’t you?

Yes. Exactly. It’s easier to contact a spirit at the crime scene,

especially right after the murder.

What a strange day.

Why did I hire you?

You didn’t give any orders regarding the engineer.

I didn’t, because I didn’t know he existed.

You should have told me about him,

because the Frenchman and, subsequently, Razumovsky were interested in him.

I’m sorry. Sorry. The Frenchman came to the hotel for coffee.

He never contacted anyone, even Nizhinskaya.

Of course he didn’t. He was preparing for it, and you missed it.

He cracked the engineer’s safe and killed the maid,

who had probably just been in the wrong place.

Who is this engineer?

That’s what I want to know, too. Where did the Frenchman go after the hotel?

He didn’t come out.

-What do you mean? -He didn’t.

Goddamn it! Why did you leave your post, then?

You held a paper in your right hand – a sign to follow you.

I didn’t know.

-Please. -So many events...

Time is running out. Fifteen minutes, no more.

-I’ll be downstairs. -Yes.

When you’re finished...

Yes. I’ll lock the door and join you downstairs.

All right. So you haven’t found out where the Frenchman lives.

At the prince’s. Sometimes he leaves for a few days at a time.

Then wait for him at the prince’s, arrest him, and come back.

Here?

Hold him here, and I’ll decide what to do next.

-I see. But the police? -I’m the police.

Tell me, brother, do you know this lady?

Anna Viktorovna? Of course. Everybody at the precinct does.

Does she work for the police?

How can a lady be a policeman? She just comes by sometimes.

When I’m on duty, she always says, “Morning, Yegor Stepanovich,” and smiles.

Is it true about her...

Talking to the dead?

-Yes. -It is. She’s special.

Don’t be scared. She’s not a witch. It’s just how she is.

-Thank you. -You’re welcome.

Who killed you?

What happened to you?

Give me a sign.

Vodka and something warm to eat.

-Korobeynikov. -Yes.

Take the constables and search the hotel.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the back rooms.

I understand. What are we looking for?

-The Frenchman, of course. -All right.

-And be careful. -Follow me.

Mr. Engineer, why aren’t you in your room?

Me? I don’t know. The safe is broken, so I sit here with my briefcase.

I placed a constable next to your room.

Yes. Still, I feel safer here.

Get the papers back to the garrison headquarters.

I was going to work on them.

Do you know Mrs. Nizhinskaya?

I do. Nina Arkadyevna lives in this hotel.

-Go to your room with your briefcase! -Am I allowed to finish my lunch?

-Who’s there? -Shtolman.

Jacob? Give me a minute. I’m still in bed.

I’m sorry to bother you, but this is urgent.

Let me get my robe and tidy myself.

-Are we going to talk through the door? -What happened? One minute.

Come in. I was up till late.

You have been awake for a while.

What happened?

A maid was killed in engineer Busse’s room.

-That’s horrible! When? -Two and a half hours ago.

This engineer looked so innocent, though.

He doesn’t have anything to do with it.

When was the last time you saw Messr. Jean?

Jean? Jean Lambert, the chancellor from the embassy?

Or Jean Chretien, jeweler in St. Petersburg?

Prince Razumovsky’s accomplice.

I have no idea.

I know you saw him a week ago. And after that?

Is this why you woke me up?

Please answer my question. It’s a police interrogation.

I’ve just answered you. I could have seen him at the prince’s,

but I don’t give much attention to servants.

He came to the hotel bar room every day.

How peculiar. As I said, I don’t usually remember servants.

Why?

Jacob, what are you doing? Is this a search?

Who gave you the right? This is so vulgar.

You behave like a jealous husband looking for his wife’s lover.

Whom do you hope to find here?

Are you going to look through my undergarments?

Go on, enjoy yourself. And so shall I.

-Don’t leave the town. -I wasn’t planning to. I’ve just arrived.

Goodbye.

I’ll complain to your bosses.

Do whatever you like.

Ernest Petrovich, what happened?

Nina Arkadyevna, have you heard?

I heard that a maid was killed. That’s all I know.

I don’t know much, either. The investigation is underway.

-Would you join me for lunch? -Gladly.

So, what now? Are you going to move?

Where would I move to, the inn? This is the only decent hotel in town.

Isn’t it awful, living in a room where a person was killed?

You’re right, Nina Arkadyevna. But what can I do?

There are no free rooms in this hotel. And mine is the only one with a safe.

-I hope they’ll fix it soon. -You’re a brave man.

No. I’m just fulfilling my duty.

You know what? I have an idea.

You can stay at my good friend, Prince Razumovsky.

Prince? I don’t know. I...

No. I don’t think he’s so eager to lodge a strange engineer.

He’s the noblest man. He will definitely be touched with your story,

and he will gladly let you stay with him. I’ll make sure of this.

Well, this is a little... I don’t know.

No, I do believe you, but a prince showing understanding for a lowly engineer...

Leave it to me. The prince’s house is huge.

You will be safe and comfortable there.

I don’t know, Nina Arkadyevna.

Wait in your room. I’ll arrange it for you.

-Nina Arkadyevna. -Yes?

I wanted to ask you something. Do you know my translator?

Yes. I do.

Do you know what they say about her?

Yes. Why?

She’s in my room now... talking to the victim.

Never mind her. That’s just how she is.

Wait for me in your room. I’ll make the arrangements.

Did you see anything?

What?

-What did she tell you? -Who?

The maid.

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

You know it very well. And I know what you were doing in the engineer’s room.

It’s none of your business.

You’re mistaken.

Where can I find Detective Shtolman?

He must be upstairs.

Thank you.

Look into every room. Be careful: he might be armed.

Move it, move it.

Yakov Platonovich.

Are you still here?

The suspect was wearing a black frock coat and brown gloves.

A witness told me that. Not a very reliable one.

I hear you. Unreliable witnesses can be very useful sometimes.

Thank you.

I won’t hold you anymore.

When you’ve finished chasing killers, why don’t we go for a walk in the park?

Yes. Of course.

I feel really awkward.

Don’t. The prince always welcomes new people and new acquaintances.

I haven’t said goodbye to Anna Viktorovna.

-Come on! The prince is waiting. -I wonder what she saw there.

Don’t take her fantasies too seriously.

-I’m sorry, ma’am, I need to check it. -What’s going on?

-I’m sorry. I have my orders. -This is outrageous. It’s my belongings!

I’m sorry. You can go now.

Thank you.

-Yakov Platonovich. -Yes, I know.

We’ve been searching for two hours, all in vain.

He’s hiding better than a flea.

Call off the constables.

Stop the search. Tell everyone.

Our engineer, in addition to calling girls to his room,

used to make indecent proposals to maids, including the victim.

Anything else?

Constable Sinelnikov reports that the engineer has checked out

and said he was moving. Mrs. Nizhinskaya was with him.

This is too much. Let’s go.

What is a Russian engineer? A belch, excuse me my frankness.

But it’s a belch of the global advancement of technology.

We have built factories and railways, but we are always the ones catching up.

First they do something, and only then we repeat it.

You must be bored to tears, Nina Arkadyevna.

No, why? It’s very exciting.

Nice to see we still have enthusiastic people eager to do something.

You are a rare man, Ernest Petrovich. To you.

-To you. -No, this is too much.

-A third toast to me... -To you, to you.

-Put it over there. -I can’t. I’m sorry.

I assure you, state secrets are completely safe in my house.

I don’t doubt it. It’s just the protocol.

Good for you.

On second thought...

I propose a toast.

Your Excellency, I’m proud to have met you.

You represent the best part of the Russian intelligentsia.

You gave shelter to a simple working man,

and I accept it with gratitude. To you.

Thank you. Such a nice and charming young man.

To you, Prince.

Nina Arkadyevna.

Why don’t you have some rest? Your room is ready.

You’re right. And after that – back to work! Back to work!

They’ll show you your room. Please feel at home.

-Thank you. -One for the road?

Gladly.

Thank you.

-To your health. -To yours. Nina Arkadyevna.

Stop!

Goddamn it.

Your Excellence, the police is here.

-I’m sorry, gentlemen. -What does it all mean?

I have a few questions for you.

First tell me why you broke into my house without invitation.

-Believe me, I had my reasons. -What reasons?

We have information that a murder suspect is hiding in your house.

Are you joking? What criminal?

Only Nina Arkdayevna and Mr. Engineer are here. Or did you mean me?

His name is Jean. About 50, heavily built, short grey beard.

He was repeatedly seen entering your house.

I have a man here who answers your description.

But he is no criminal. He teaches me fencing.

-Where is he? -Call Messr. Jean.

Excuse me, what are you doing here?

Mr. Busse, unlike you, is my guest.

The prince graciously invited me to stay here.

-Did you call me, sir? -What is your name?

Jean Lassal.

Where were you today between noon and 2 PM?

I went for a walk, had a cup of coffee at the hotel, and came home.

What are you doing in this house?

I’m teaching fencing to His Excellency. What happened?

I don’t know, either. They are from the police.

You are suspected of murder, and you’re coming with us.

Don’t try anything.

You are coming with us, too.

Why?

We have questions for you, too. Keep your briefcase closer to you.

I’ll inform your head of police! This is outrageous.

-You have a right to do so. -You’re ridiculous, Mr. Shtolman.

Did you bring your luggage for the prince to order to give it out to the poor?

I almost forgot! Your Excellency is a renowned philanthropist. Goodbye.

-Mr... -Shtolman.

Shtolman. Tell me where we are going and why.

You’ll be taken to the hotel. You’ll have some rest in your room,

guarded by a constable. Go.

I can’t stay there.

By tomorrow, I’ll find another place for you to stay.

Just stay as far as you can from the prince and Mrs. Nizhinskaya.

Why is that?

There are reasons. It’s a military secret.

Witnesses saw you at the hotel today.

I don’t deny it.

You were seen entering the engineer’s room.

Nobody could have seen that, because I didn’t enter any rooms.

-I had my coffee and left. -You didn’t leave the hotel.

-What do you mean? -It’s simple. You had been watched.

You did come into the hotel, but you never came out.

-You are the one who killed the maid. -What maid?

Mr. Lassal, we have known each other for a while.

Excuse me, I don’t quite remember.

We know about everything you’ve done in Zatonsk.

You killed the mathematics teacher and Mr. Morel.

Orderly, get him to the cell.

-You don’t have it. -What are you talking about?

Proof.

This bastard! But it was him.

Of course it was. However, surprisingly enough, we have no proof or witnesses

to anything he had committed here in Zatonsk.

Only our certainty. We’ll have to let him out tomorrow.

-This is so untimely. -Excuse me, ma’am.

It’s not that I’m paranoid, it’s that you are too naive.

Come in.

You are our only hope, Viktor Ivanovich.

It’s your town. You can’t tolerate such an outcry!

Thank you, Prince. I’ll do my best not to let you down.

Nina Arkadyevna.

This way.

I don’t know what to do with this engineer. Time is almost up.

-We still have this night. -But what can we do?

I know what we’ll do.

Go.

-Did Prince Razumovsky visit you? -Yes. And Nizhinskaya, too.

The prince offered me to be his defender.

Looks like your Shtolman has gone too far.

He broke into prince’s house today and arrested his fencing teacher.

What for?

Imagine, as a suspect in murder! I’ll go and sort it all out tomorrow.

How sad.

Good night.

Anna Viktorovna?

-Is Mr. Busse in his room? -Yes, ma’am.

-Hello. -Hello.

Orderly.

What do we have here?

She was caught red-handed. A theft.

Be accurate with the measurements. You don’t see faces like hers very often.

What have you stolen, beautiful stranger?

A purse, Your Nobleness.

She’s a seamstress.

She stole her client’s purse during the fitting.

You need money for clothes, don’t you?

Devil’s work.

Good morning, Yakov Platonovich. I need to talk to you.

Please.

Come in, Viktor Ivanovich.

Yakov Platonovich, you have my client here.

Who is that?

Jean Lassal.

Prince Razumovsky offered me to become his attorney yesterday.

I’m here, because you’ve arrested his man.

Take a seat.

Should I, Yakov Platonovich?

We both know there is no proof of his guilt.

How do you know that?

Well, show it to me, then.

Yes, I have nothing to show.

I wouldn’t be so certain of his innocence, though.

Yakov Platonovich, I’m a lawyer.

So, either charge him or let him out.

What can I do? Take your client with you.

-Your Nobleness. -Yes?

A murder at the hotel.

-The engineer? -Yes, sir.

THE ENGINEER