FADE IN:

INT. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MOSCOW, RUSSIA - DAY

A school bell rings.

Vitaly Popov (18) is walking through a crowded school corridor to his next class with his best friends Maxim Petrov and Evgeniy Bikovic.

They are wearing school uniforms and teachers are shouting for students to hurry along to their next class.

Vitaly and his friends push through the crowd of Russian teenagers also in the 12th grade.

They walk under a banner written in Russian reading 'I love my school'.

Elena and her friends walk past.

Evgeniy

You got a look Vitaly.

Maxim

Did he now?

Evgeniy

Elena.

Maxim

Ah Elena. Did you ever go on a second date with her Vitaly?

Vitaly

No, I think she wanted to date you Maxim.

Evgeniy

She probably just wanted you for your money Maxim.

Maxim [sarcastically]

This is my problem. Life is so hard.

Evgeniy

Maybe you should ask her out Vitaly…

Vitaly

No I don't think…

A hand appears on Vitaly's forearm, it is Mr Preston, his new English language assistant.

He has dark, scruffy features and piercing brown eyes as well as a prosthetic left arm, but grips Vitaly with his right.

Mr Preston

Vitaly may I talk with you for a minute?

Vitaly [surprised]

Sir?

Mr Preston [humorously]

Don't worry it's not about your grades.

Maxim and Evgeniy walk on, as if eerily unaware of Vitaly and Mr Preston's exchange.

Mr Preston grips Vitaly's arm tighter.

Mr Preston

Is there somewhere we can go?

Vitaly

Er…

Mr Preston steers Vitaly out of the bustling hall and into an empty classroom.

He lets go of Vitaly's arm and they walk over to a desk near the window.

Mr Preston gestures for Vitaly to sit down but he remains standing, circling him.

Mr Preston

Russia is not the easiest place for people like us is it Vitaly?

Vitaly

What?

Mr Preston

You're different aren't you. It's ok, I know.

Vitaly

I…

Mr Preston places his right hand on Vitaly's shoulder and circles around in front of him, perching on the edge of the desk, taking off his tie and unbuttoning his top button.

Mr Preston [matter-of-factly]

It's ok. I won't tell anyone. But you are Vitaly. I know why you keep this secret to yourself, but trust me there will come a time where you won't...

Vitaly

How do you…?

Vitaly's eyes move up to meet Mr Preston's, comforted by him.

Mr Preston moves closer and takes Vitaly's wrist softly and presses it on the desk.

The desk seems to ripple like water and the walls and furniture around him begin to bloom and shimmer.

The room dissolves and they are standing alone in the middle of the school's football pitch.

Vitaly, suddenly more confident, takes Mr Preston's right hand and pulls him closer.

Mr Preston

Vitaly. Are you sure? You think you're ready...

Mr Preston dissolves too as Vitaly moves closer, leaving him alone again on the football pitch.

He looks up in the distance and a dark cloud has appeared above the grey concrete tenements of the Moscow skyline.

As he steps forward where Mr Preston was standing, he wakes up.

INT. VITALY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Vitaly opens his eyes abruptly and digests his reality with a disappointed squirm.

He sits up slowly in bed and checks the time on his phone, it is only 3.33AM and he looks around the room briefly - adorned with posters of various Avengers and Russian female singers and actresses, unfinished school revision splayed across his desk - before settling back down into bed.

As the camera pans away we see a dark shadow behind the curtains of his bedroom window drifting off into the snowy Moscow night.

CUT TO:

INT. VITALY'S BEDROOM - DAY (but still dark)

Vitaly's alarm clock sounds. He wakes slowly, painfully.

Eventually he reaches over to his headphones, pairs them with his phone and puts on some Russian hip hop.

He starts to dance and mouth the words along in his bed and eventually gets up and moves around the room, getting dressed while he dances.

Occasionally seeing himself in his mirror Vitaly tries not to dance as flamboyantly - as if suddenly feeling the glare of other people even though he is alone.

He looks at his favorite poster - Natasha Romanov and begins to imitate shooting a gun like her in his mirror to the music.

CUT TO:

INT. DINING ROOM - VITALY'S HOME - DAY (but still dark)

Vitaly comes down the stairs to his parents (father - Iosif and mother - Raissa) sitting eating breakfast, he is dressed and ready for school.

There is a spare bowl of semolina porridge and orange juice waiting for him.

The Russian news is blaring from the TV, referring to recent liberal protests.

Iosif

Turn that crap off Raissa. How did you sleep?

Vitaly

Yeah…ok.

Raissa

It was snowing quite heavily in the night. Make sure you take your gloves with you.

Vitaly [sitting down]

Yeah yeah mum…Thanks for the porridge.

Raissa

You need it. Brain food.

Vitaly

Mhmm.

Iosif

How are you feeling about today? Feeling ready?

Vitaly

Yes I guess. As ready as I'll ever be.

Iosif

It doesn't matter what you get so long as you feel you've done your best Vitaly.

Vitaly

Well it does matter if I want to get to Columbia.

Raissa

You'll do great, I know you will and it's just your mock exams so what you don't get right is as important as what you do…

Vitaly

Please, can I just not think about it right yet.

Raissa

Of course. Just enjoy your breakfast.

Iosif

I'll give you a lift to the bus this morning.

Vitaly

You don't need to get to the surgery?

Iosif

I've moved my morning appointments. Moscow's back problems can wait a few hours today.

Vitaly [absently - guzzling his breakfast]

Ok thanks.

Raissa

Remember, your tenses. Oh and there are no genders in English. That always tripped me up but it makes it easier.

Iosif [jokingly]

They're so progressive in the West.

Vitaly

Please I said can we just not…

Raissa

You'll love it in the US colleges Vitaly.

Iosif

Well as you said, you have to get the grades first.

Raissa [lovingly]

Sorry I'm just excited for you.

Vitaly [putting down his cutlery harder than he meant to]

Okay let's go.

INT. IOSIF'S CAR - DAY

Vitaly's father is driving him to school, but Vitaly is sitting in the back seat staring out the window.

It is still dark but the morning light is starting to dilute the orange glow of the street lamps on the snow.

The Moscow traffic is building but the city streets still have a morning stillness.

Iosif [attempting conversation]

It's ok to be nervous.

Vitaly

I'm not nervous.

Iosif

Of course. You have your mother's mind. You will be fine. But I'm just saying if you were, that's ok too. You don't need to hide stuff from your mother and I just to save face.

Vitaly

Well I guess I have your bravery and conversation skills too then.

Iosif

I'll take that as a compliment. Even if it's not true.

Vitaly

That I'm not brave?

Iosif

No. You know what I mean. I'm just saying that if you put your mind to it you can make anything happen.

Vitaly

That's just what everyone says as a way to get you to do more work.

Iosif

Yes but with you it's actually true.

Vitaly

I'm pretty sure you're supposed to say that.

Iosif

I am, but when you're a father you'll understand how easy it is to say when your kid's special.

A silence. Vitaly turns back to stare out of the car window, his leg has begun to twitch nervously.

Iosif [slowing down to park behind the bus stop]

I know school hasn't been easy for you Vitaly. It wasn't for me either, but along with her mind you've got your mother's strength too and you know you can always talk to us about anything. Whenever. We're here and we're both very proud of you. And if all goes well you'll be settling into your horrible, tiny, over-priced apartment in New York in the summer.

Vitaly [getting out the car]

Dad Columbia University has its own accommodation.

Iosif [leaning back to pat Vitaly encouragingly on the knee]

Smartass. You still need me to pay for all this remember. Anyway, good luck today. You'll do fine.

Vitaly

Thanks Dad.

Iosif [winding down the car window]

Oh take this. I almost forgot.

Iosif holds out a small Hamsa necklace. Vitaly looks incredulous.

Vitaly

Oh Dad no. You don't even believe in this.

Iosif

No I know it's silly, but it's just for luck. My mother gave it to me and she certainly believed.

Vitaly

I can't wear stuff like that at school.

Iosif

It's not witchcraft. You can just wear it under your shirt?

Vitaly

Dad, I'm going to be late.

Iosif

Go on, it'll make your Dad happy.

Vitaly

Fine. Ok bye gotta go.

Iosif

Good luck!

Vitaly grabs the Hamsa and quickly puts it on around his neck under his uniform.

EXT. MOSCOW STREET - DAY

Vitaly wraps his coat around. A light snow falls and nestles on his hat.

Moscow is coming to life as he walks to the waiting bus parked on the street up ahead.

An attractive man and a woman in suits walks past and Vitaly steals a quick look before abruptly averting his eyes.

INT. SCHOOL BUS - DAY

Vitaly makes his way to Maxim and Evgeniy who are sitting toward the middle of the bus across the aisle from each other.

Toward the back Aleksander Sedashev and his friends are talking and laughing loudly.

Aleksander looks up as Vitaly enters and gives Vitaly a mocking, aggressive kiss.

Aleksander

Ah shalom Vitaly!

Aleksander puts a tissue on his head like a kippah and makes a mocking prayer gesture with his hands as his friends laugh.

Aleksander

Great to see your Daddy had time to drop you off before snipping all those little Jewish weiners.

Vitaly [to himself]

He's an orthopedist prick.

Aleksander

Huh? You make a funny joke that no one heard? You're such a comedian in your head aren't you Vitaly! A joker too scared of an audience.

Maxim stands up in the middle of the bus, cutting Aleksander's view of Vitaly. He pulls his rucksack off the window seat next to him.

Maxim

Morning man. I saved you the window seat.

Vitaly [sitting]

Thanks Maxim.

Aleksander [from the back of the bus]

Surprise. The money likes to sit together. Didn't think you were all Jews?

Evgeniy [turning around to shout at the back of the bus]

Oi I'm not even that rich!

Aleksander

And only you would be proud of that Evgeniy. Golddigger!

Maxim [Calm, staring forwards]

Yeah yeah yeah.

Aleksander gets bored, he has less to say now Maxim is involved and goes back to playing music on his phone with his friends.

Maxim [to Vitaly]

Good morning.

Vitaly

Yeah great morning. As always.

Maxim

How you feeling?

Vitaly

Tired.

Maxim

Bad dreams again?

Evgeniy

Ah you'll be fine. I haven't even revised for English. It's [in a mock English accent] 'bloody futile'.

Maxim [to Evgeniy]

We're not trying to go to an American college…

Evgeniy

Hah god no! Pledging ourselves to the great Russian education system for life.

Vitaly

I don't know. I'm just not…I can't concentrate today.

Maxim

You don't need to concentrate to get a good mark in English. It's just the mock anyway.

Evgeniy

This is what I'm telling myself too.

Maxim

You need to concentrate Evgeniy.

Vitaly

I got the tickets for Friday.

Evgeniy

Ah sweet. Need a big Moscow blowout.

Maxim

Nice. You keeping it a surprise?

Vitaly

Maybe.

Evgeniy

Some more niche, dark drum and bass please.

Vitaly

Oh you actually liked that then? Well I got tickets to Preispodnyaya.

Evgeniy

Yeah yeah it was ok. The girls are always more loose at those events.

Vitaly

Well yeah you'll like this then. It's a bit more mainstream too.

Evgeniy

Please Vitaly, who do you think I am?! I'm no basic bish.

Maxim

We can have some drinks at 'the treehouse' before.

Evgeniy

You mean your multi-million ruble central apartment Daddy uses when he's 'on business'?

Maxim

That's the one.

Evgeniy

How is he?

Maxim

Still a dick.

Vitaly

Has he shown his face again since?

Maxim

He calls me sometimes, but hasn't reappeared. I don't think mum wants him to at this point.

Evgeniy

You in charge of the fun stuff on Friday yeah?

Maxim [placing a hand on his shoulder]

Come on V, do you need to ask?

Evgeniy [sarcastically]

You mean alcoholics of course.

Maxim

Of course.

Vitaly

Great.

Maxim takes out a notepad of revision notes.

Maxim

Right. You want to do some cramming?

Vitaly [taking out his headphones and turning to look out the window]

I'm good.

Maxim

Cocky.

Evgeniy

Go on. I will. You could use a laugh and the ego boost Maxim. I'm so going to fail.

Vitaly leans back in his chair and music starts to play in his headphones.

Camera pans to follow the bus through the snowy Moscow traffic.

MONTAGE

Moscow street scenes.

Vitaly listening to music.