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PRODUCED BY SKYWAY PRODUCTION

Oh, it’s you. Come in.

“In the dreamy mist, in the realm of fear and deceit,

tell me about the road under my feet.”

Attention! Up! ‘Shun!

Up... Shun...

Colonel Lawrence?

I was calling for you, but you wouldn’t come.

Tell me where Alice is.

Listen, I’m her friend.

I really need to know where she is and what’s going on.

Why don’t you talk to me? You came here, after all.

Is she in danger?

Your breakfast. You wanted me to wake you up at nine.

Murder! Murder!

Andre! Andre!

One,

two,

three,

four, five.

Ready or not, here I come.

ANNA, THE DETECTIVE

I think the victim was sitting at the table in front of the mirror.

THE CONFIDANT EPISODE 45

The assaulter approached him from behind and hit him with a sharp object

at the right side of his neck.

The victim, clamping his right hand to the wound,

grabbed the paper knife with his left.

Maybe. Or he might have tried to get up, took a swing,

and was twice mortally wounded in his chest.

After that, she dropped dead on the spot.

-He. He did. -Yes. That’s what I meant.

Why pussyfoot around? A man wearing women’s clothes.

Sodomy?

-Where is the madam? -In the next room.

Finish with the search here.

Yes.

Having fun?

-Champagne? -No. What did you write?

What about you? What did you write to me? What is this nonsense?

I can’t stand it anymore. I’m leaving.

I can’t go on like this. I’m leaving. Nobody wants me here.

Nina, stop it. Don’t behave like a brat.

I’m a woman.

Oh my God. What are you talking about? You know why we are here.

You know what the stakes are.

Do you think that if you cry long enough,

your debt will be forgotten and forgiven?

My debt! I have worked it out hundredfold!

-Shut up! -What?

Your mission is to seduce Brown and get to his research.

I don’t understand why you aren’t in his bed yet.

How dare you?

Don’t try these ladies’ tricks. How do I dare?

You’ll do what I tell you to do, for as long as it’s necessary.

Otherwise...

You know me.

We have only one punishment for the traitors.

Andre was my assistant. He helped me with everything.

He’s like a son to me. He was.

Why is he wearing ladies’ clothes?

He’s an actor.

He was rehearsing for a female part in a play in Petersburg.

Where were you last night?

Me? I took my sleeping pills and was sound asleep in my bed.

Alone?

What kind of question is this?

I told you I took the sleeping pills. Yes, I was alone.

Don’t be upset, please. Whom did Andre meet with in Zatonsk?

We’ve only been here for a few days. I suppose he only met with me.

Andre looked so good in my dress. It fit him as if it were made for him.

So, it was an attempt on your life, wasn’t it?

-My life? Oh God. -The killer thought that Andre was you.

Why would he look for you in that room, though?

We swapped the rooms. Andre didn’t mind.

I don’t understand.

I had a headache, so I thought the other room had bad vibes.

-The visitors... -What do people come to you for?

I make horoscopes.

People want to know about their future, to get at least a hint.

I need a list of people who visited you in that room.

It’s impossible. People trust me with their intimate problems.

-I’m a confidant. -Ma’am, a man was killed.

I’m begging you! I’m exhausted.

Let me be alone for a while. Have mercy.

Of course. But I’ll have more questions.

-Monsieur? -Jean. Any news?

I went to the address you gave me. Nobody heard of an English girl there.

I don’t think they were lying.

All right. Keep looking. What about the doctor?

Everything is as usual. Work, home, work. No new acquaintances, nothing suspicious.

But you know what’s funny? Shtolman’s sleuths are watching him.

It would be funnier if Shtolman didn’t suspect Milts of kidnapping Alice.

Keep watching.

Go.

The assaulter might have thought that Andre was Madame de Beau.

She was his target.

Besides, he didn’t know madam was in the other room last night.

A bond from a certain Seslavin, signed yesterday. For 100 rubles.

Interesting. Ask the concierge who he is.

Yes.

Hello. Mr. Shtolman, excuse me for the intrusion.

Mr. Riabushinsky, I forbade you to come to crime scenes.

Which is very hurtful for a man of the press. But I can be of use.

I know something about this Madame de Beau.

I’m listening.

I hope you will share something with me in exchange.

Definitely.

Madame de Beau finds house help for single gentlemen based on horoscopes

and other mystical rubbish.

But her proteges aren’t some country girls.

They are well-groomed, well-bred, and even educated.

Nobody will ever admit it,

because the official version is that people come here only

for a personal horoscope.

Of course, they trust her. She’s a confidant!

There! See? I helped the investigation. Do you already have a suspect?

What was the real reason for Madame’s visit to Zatonsk?

I don’t know.

Thank you. I won’t hold you anymore.

Yakov Platonovich, wait! What about our deal?

My newspaper needs fresh stories. Yakov Platonovich, why...

Write something about the town improvement program.

You have to give me at least something!

-Good morning. -Good morning.

-A rough night? -A rough night.

-Those dreams again? -Those dreams again.

Oh God, those dreams again. Maybe you should go to a spa.

Mother, what spa?

In the morning, when you were still asleep,

a peasant girl was asking about you.

-A peasant? -A peasant?

A young one. She said she wanted to see Miss.

I told her to come later.

-She had some request to you. -How did she look?

I don’t know. She was wearing a shawl on her head.

I didn’t pay attention.

She was talking funny, like a gypsy or a Finn.

Well, she’ll come back.

Everybody comes to you as if you were a healer.

Are you sure it was him?

Of course. He comes here often. I saw him entering Madame’s room.

When?

-About an hour ago. -Thank you, my dear.

-May I? -Yes.

Who came to see Madame de Beau yesterday?

We have many visitors here. They don’t tell me who they come to.

Maybe a visit to the precinct will refresh your memory.

No thanks. Tamara Zuyeva was here, merchant Zuyev’s sister.

That’s all, I swear.

Madame says she had many visitors. They even gave her a migraine.

No. There was nobody else. I think.

Oh, right! She went out several times.

Why isn’t it registered anywhere

that Madame de Beau swapped rooms with her assistant?

It was late at night.

Madame didn’t like the color of the wallpaper.

She said it wouldn’t let her go to sleep. I probably forgot to right it down.

Who is this? Who is Seslavin?

Seslavin is staying in Room 35. A serious, wealthy man.

What brought Mr. Seslavin to Zatonsk?

I don’t know.

You don’t seem to know a lot.

Too bad.

Did you see who came to Andre’s room last night?

I was asleep in the back. I didn’t hear anything.

Anton Andreyevich, go talk to Mr. Seslavin.

After that, don’t forget to search his room and, of course,

find out from Madame de Beau why she went out yesterday

and who her visitors were, other than Tamara Zuyeva.

-What if Mr. Seslavin objects? -Handcuff him and put behind the bars.

Good idea. Go for it, Anton Andreyevich.

All right.

Come in. It’s open.

Are you leaving?

Yes. I am.

-What happened? -Nothing. I can’t bear it.

Calm down. What is it you can’t bear?

Everything. You don’t want me.

Is this the only reason?

Isn’t that enough? Do you think I’m made of steel?

No, but why now, all of a sudden?

It’s not all of a sudden.

I woke up this morning and realized I was alone.

Do you understand me?

Why are you staring at me? You don’t see me as a human being?

I think you should leave.

And get out of your hair. Who’s there?

-Excuse me. A letter for you. -Come in.

I’m sorry, I want to be left alone.

Bad news?

No. Please come back tonight.

I really need you to be here.

Mr. Seslavin?

What can I do for you?

I’m from the police. May I come in?

What happened?

A bond signed by you was found in the victim’s room.

What did you pay him for?

It’s none of your business.

We’re conducting an investigation. You have to answer.

I didn’t kill this gentleman,

and our dealings have nothing in common with the murder.

In that case, come with me. You’re under arrest.

Here, brother.

Anna Viktorovna. How fortunate. You're the one I need.

Wait! Where are you going?

I wanted to talk about something intriguing.

Your intrigues, Aleksey Yegorovich, usually end in libel.

You’re unfair. I deal with the facts. And today’s murder at the hotel is a fact.

What murder?

Oh, you didn’t know.

Madame de Beau’s assistant was killed, Andre.

He was wearing woman’s dress – another fact.

-A dress? Why? -I don’t know.

Who is Madame de Beau?

A confidant. She finds house help for very rich men. Maids, house servants

with special responsibilities, prepared to serve their master with body and soul.

You know what I mean.

-How disgusting. -Your uncle would disagree.

My uncle?

He had a heart-to-heart with this Madame de Beau today.

How do you know that?

The concierge told me. He knows him very well.

Nonsense. Why would my uncle turn to this Madame de Beau?

Yes, why would the town’s ladies’ man need her help?

Can’t he find a protege for himself without her services?

He must be getting old.

You know what? If Piotr Ivanovich met with some Madame,

it doesn’t mean anything. It’s your fantasies.

It’s not a fantasy. I deal with facts. And your uncle can find himself

in a very unpleasant situation because of his intimate meeting with her

right after the murder.

If you write about it in your dirty newspaper,

it’ll only give fuel for gossip.

And Piotr Mironov will be under suspicion.

I can put a hold on this story, though.

What do you want from me?

I’m conducting an investigation of my own. You have to help me.

Is it a deal?

I had no doubts I’d find you here.

There are not many places in this town I can bear.

Do you know about the murder?

I saw the body.

Tell me, why did you have to go to this Madame de Beau?

It was a courtesy visit to an old St. Petersburg friend.

That’s all.

I see. Are you going home?

Soon.

Look, Anton Andreyevich. Why does he need so much money in Zatonsk?

God knows. Maybe he wants to buy a house. It’s a nice quiet city.

Here we have something more interesting.

A lady with a reputation like hers suddenly comes to the city.

She openly checks in to a hotel with a young assistant.

Obviously, this causes gossip.

And Mr. Riabushinsky makes sure it won’t die away.

Of course. A death of a confidant’s assistant!

Dressed like a woman!

Of course it’s a tasty morsel for his newspaper.

A confidant! This is outrageous.

She should have been arrested as soon as she had arrived.

Excuse me, what for? No law forbids her activities.

I don’t understand why.

Masha, you should be a prosecutor.

By the way, this lady is quite popular in St. Petersburg.

Kirill Vladimirovich, have you heard of her?

I have. Some people I know commanded her services.

Were they members of the beau monde?

Alas. I’m not disclosing any names, of course.

Outrageous! This is impossible.

What can be done?

There are people with low moral standards in every sircle.

Alas. Our world isn’t perfect.

Let’s change the subject.

I don’t know why we must discuss this is Anna’s presence.

Mother, what are you talking about? It’s the talk of the town.

Maria Timofeyevna, thank you. This was a great dinner.

Anna Viktorovna, would you like to go for a walk?

Yes, of course.

My personal situation is such that

I’ll probably soon go abroad for a long time.

Where are you going?

England. We could go together if you accepted my proposal.

I’m not ready yet.

I don’t press you. We still have time.

It would be so nice if you could come.

You need a change of scene. Besides, London has a strong spiritual scene.

Your talent would thrive there, find new aspects and applications.

Maybe, but I can’t imagine myself living abroad.

If you accept my proposal, I won’t leave. We’ll live in Russia.

In St. Petersburg, if you prefer.

If not – here, in Zatonsk.

It’s nice here.

Why not?

Kirill Vladimirovich.

I won’t say another word.

I’ll just wait and hope.

-Well? -What do you mean?

-What do I mean? Did you talk to him? -Mother, don’t be in such a rush.

Am I? How long will you exercise the prince’s patience?

Please leave it to me.

What is it? What’s going on in this house? And this Madame, too.

The rumors about your uncle and this confidant!

That’s exactly the kind of popularity we need.

I can’t even think about their connection.

What connection? They met in St. Petersburg, that’s all.

I don’t know. Talk to him.

What about? He’s a grown-up man.

Please do it. You’re the only one he listens to.

Find out what’s going on. I’m really worried.

All right. I will.

I don’t understand why take me to the precinct.

Our atmosphere is good for intimate conversations.

Why did you come to Zatonsk?

-On personal business. -What kind of business?

I want to buy a house.

Why? Do you have family or business here?

None. It’s just a nice town.

-Tell me, do you know Madame de Beau? -No. Who is she?

-Do you know her assistant? -What assistant?

Andre, the one you have a 100 rubles bond. He’s killed.

The bond has yesterday’s date on it. So, tell me about the connection between you.

I borrowed money from him. I paid it off.

You, from Andre? Tell me the truth. He was killed.

-At what time yesterday did you see him? -I don’t know. In the evening.

Here. Found during the search.

Is it yours?

Mine. Is money illegal now?

What? A clasp knife. A friend’s present.

Did you prepare it for a meeting with Andre?

I didn’t kill anyone. I don’t want to answer your questions.

You don’t have to.

You’re under arrest on suspicion of murder. Take him away.

-This is nonsense. I demand my lawyer. -Of course.

Look at him.

There are no traces of blood on the knife.

Understandably. But it was found in a secret pocket.

Have you found out who met with de Beau?

Yes, but Madame herself refused to talk about her visitors.

I talked to the hotel staff and guests.

There was only Zuyeva, a merchant’s sister.

So, go to Zuyeva. Have you left someone at the hotel?

Yes, a constable, just in case.

Just in case.

One more thing. Jean, you have probably noticed that Nina Arkadyevna

has been upset lately. She must be exhausted.

I’m afraid she might come apart.

We can expect reckless acts from her.

-It can be very dangerous for us. -I understand.

If it happens, we’ll need to save the day.

Are you prepared for drastic measures, as I instructed you?

I’m always at Your Excellence’s service. Shall we continue?

No. Enough for today, Jean. All right. Thank you.

I’m calling Andre’s spirit. Andre’s spirit, present yourself.

Andre’s spirit, present yourself.

Oh God. What is this?

Who are you? Andre?

Please tell me why Piotr Mironov went to Madame.

Andre, do you hear me?

Please tell me who killed you.

Andre, who killed you?

-You aren’t her. -What? Who is she?

She’s beautiful.

I had an important talk with the prince. I think our paths can diverge.

Tell me who you are with.

With you, of course.

I have always been your loyal servant and will always be.

I obey the prince’s orders only because they go along with your plan.

The fact that I’m living in his house doesn’t mean anything.

I can move out at any moment if you want me to.

No. Stay with him,

but have it in mind that our friendship might soon come to an end.

-Be prepared. -I understand.

I’m counting on you.

Absolutely, ma’am.

He was stabbed three times: once in his neck and twice to the chest.

From the shape of the wounds

I can tell you the murder weapon was narrow and sharp.

The even character of the lacerations and lack of bruising

tells us that the murderer acted quite dexterously.

So, he didn’t stab him any old way

but aimed for vulnerable spots.

This doesn’t look like a murder in the heat of passion.

I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. Look.

The wound in the neck was delivered with a surgical precision.

It alone would be enough to finish off the victim.

He had severed his carotid and larynx.

Do you think the wounds in the chest are evidence of his rage?

I suppose so.

Thank you, doctor, for the detailed analysis.

How do you find time for everything?

You still work without an assistant, don’t you?

No, they’ve sent me one recently. He seems a smart guy.

I’ll introduce you when I have a chance.

Thank you.

Akim Gordeyevich, something is wrong here. The numbers don’t add up.

It’s the figure without travel costs and disbursements, Yevsey Danilovich.

-Oh God. She’s here. -I bought some bread and rolls.

-It took you half the day to buy bread. -I can’t sit at home all day.

Don’t sit around. There are always some house chores.

Enough.

Who’s going to start the samovar, to sharpen the knives?

You know how to sharpen the knives. You’re the butcher’s daughter.

I have other things to do.

Come on, Tamara.

Ulyana is busy with housework all day long.

I know how busy she is.

Enough. Go to the warehouse and check the goods.

I’ve been breathing dust at the warehouse all day.

Don’t worry, dear.

Tamara got up on the wrong side of the bed today.

Excuse me.

-Can I help you? -Are you Tamara Zuyeva?

I am. What did you want?

Anton Korobeynikob from the police. I have some questions for you.

What does the police want to know?

It’s about the murder at the hotel. Did you hear about it?

What do I have to do with it? I don’t have time for this.

You visited Madame de Beau at the hotel yesterday, didn’t you?

I don’t know who she is. I’ve never seen her in my life.

The concierge says he had seen you. Also, that you had a long conversation with her.

Don’t tell my brother.

This case is seemingly simple, but in fact very complicated.

Tamara Zuyeva says she did visit Madame de Beau.

The latter denies any visits.

Well?

Zuyeva says she came to de Beau to get her pay.

De Beau bought something from her the day before.

She asked me not to tell her brother.

Why is she so secretive?

Because de Beau bought something on account,

which Zuyev wouldn’t allow.

If he finds out, he’ll be mad at her, maybe even bars her from the shop,

which Zuyeva doesn’t want.

Why would Madame deny Zuyeva’s visit? It seems quite mundane.

I don’t understand this, either.

I didn’t want to talk to merchant Zuyev without your permission.

-You did the right thing. -Yes.

Annete. “What’s eating you, a sorrow or a vague anxiety?

Or are you finally in love?”

Uncle, don’t. I feel as if I were at a small town theater already.

What happened?

He behaves like an actor on stage.

Wringing his hands, intoning something.

I mean, Andre. He is overly dramatic.

-Well... -I don’t understand him.

He was an actor, as far as I know.

Reciting wordy and convoluted monologues...

Maybe you should simply tell me why you went to Madame

and spare me this comedy with Andre.

Maybe you should leave Andre alone. As for Madame, I’ll tell you...

I’m innocent like an angel.

You see, this Andre... He intrigues me. It’s like he’s in love with someone.

-But who? Not Madame. -Why not?

No. I don’t think so. He was speaking of her with such passion.

I think it’s a love triangle. Andre is in love with some girl,

and Madame – with Andre.

Madame? In love?

You do know her, after all.

Again! A one-man show.

Is it Andre?

Who is she? Did she kill you?

-Andre? -He showed me a girl. A black girl.

-What do you mean, black? -I mean dark-skinned.

-It’s just his fantasy. -Uncle, spirits don’t fantasize.

Wait. Listen. Spirits have lives.

This means they can have fantasies, too. That’s it.

Right. Maybe this girl is Madame’s protege.

A black girl? Madame’s protege?

Enough. Go to sleep.

Why not?

Nothing human is alien to us, Yakov Platonovich.

I thought you’d never come.

-Time? -Thirty minutes.

OK. The experiment is in its home straight.

Write this down.

The gas preserves its poisoning qualities for a long time.

We can’t keep conducting our experiments in the woods.

There can be casualties among the civilians.

Where will we test it, then?

Here. Only here.

We can’t trace the dynamics of its dissipation in the open.

Then we’ll need more soldiers to close off a bigger perimeter.

By the way, did they find the soldier who went missing after yesterday’s test?

I don’t think so. They are still combing the forest.

Damn.

I’m so happy you came.

Don’t be silent. Talk to me.

I really think you should go.

I will. I’ll go anyway. Let them kill me.

Who? Tell me everything. I want to help you.

Really? Please stay with me.

You wanted to tell me something.

I don’t want to talk.

Listen... this is a good moment. There might not be another chance.

-Tell me everything. -What? Everything?

You saved my life once. Let me return the favor.

I saved you without seeking profit, and you want me to pay for it.

To pay? How?

With confessions. I have nothing to confess.

Then you have nothing to be afraid of.

Is this the best you can do?

I can’t help you while you’re protecting the prince.

THE CONFIDANT