Alrighty, I too am taking a little detour from the main characters and plot to focus some time on the rather unsavory characters that will be playing a more important role towards the end of this saga. I want to give the viewer an idea of what else is going on in Russia from time to time and an understanding of the brewing revolution taking place that will ultimately devour an empire. I'm going to be touching on the lives and upbringing of Alexander Kerensky, Leon Trotsky and possibly even Joseph Stalin. For now allow me to introduce one Vladimir Ilyich Lenin...
Next scene shows Vladimir Lenin and his brother Alexander summoned before their parents in their father’s study to reveal their school report cards. It’s around the year 1882 and the boys are 12 and 14 respectively.
Ilya: Lets have a look Alexander, shall we?
Alexander (nervously): Yes sir (handing over his report card)
Ilya (takes a moment to read over): I’d say I’m disappointed in you Alexander but your mother and I have grown rather accustomed to this sort of thing.
Alexander: I’ll do better father, I promise
Maria: Teacher says you’re more the idealistic type and impulsive toward your classmates.
Ilya: And from the looks of this (holds up Alexander’s report card) you’re not too taken with your studies. I suppose you’d prefer working in the factory when the day comes my boy?
Alexander stands quietly and ashamed. Just then his younger brother steps forward and proudly hands over to his father his own report card...
Vladimir: Excellent in everything!
Ilya: Ah, yes, now this is more like it!
Maria: Splendid "Volodya", you make us both very proud!
Ilya: Alexander you could stand to learn a thing or two from your younger brother about hard work and discipline.
Alexander (indignantly): Yes father.
Vladimir: Father, mother, may I go play Alexander in chess before supper?
Ilya: It looks to me like Alexander has some reading and studying up to do. But why don’t you and I have a nice game before supper Volodya?
Vladimir (excitedly): Yes sir!
Vladimir sits down with his father while mother Maria takes the despondent looking Alexander out of the room. The scene cuts away. Next scene takes place in 1887. Vladimir Lenin now seventeen is shown frustratingly scribbling the following sentence into his diary…
Vladimir Lenin (writing): “Little more than a year since father has passed. Our home has again been turned upside down. Alexander and four other students from the university in St. Petersburg have been arrested in a plot to assassinate Tsar Alexander III. Who is to watch over us now? No father. No brother. No God.”
Next scene shows Vladimir and Mother Maria visiting Alexander in prison. Vladimir remains silent while his mother is in tears...
Maria (sobbing): I still don’t understand how this can all be!
Alexander: I tried to kill the Tsar. The attempt failed and that is all there is to it.
Next scene shows Alexander being taken to the gallows, his mother walking beside him saying, “Have courage. Have courage.” We then show Vladimir and Maria among an angry crowd firing off expletives in the direction of Alexander and his fellow conspirators. Maria has tears in her eyes and looks about to faint as she grips onto her son Vladimir’s arm. Vladimir gives a long hard look and moments later the executioner gives the signal and all five students drop…their suspended bodies dangling from the end of the rope around their necks. The scene cuts away.
Next scene is Vladimir’s graduation day and we see the school headmaster speaking with Maria. The head master’s name is Fedor Kerensky and standing next to him is his young son Alexander…
Fedor: Madame I know this has been a difficult time for you and your family. I can only imagine that the next several years will be far more peaceful for you than what you’ve been forced to go through in the last couple.
Maria: I thank you kindly Mr. Kerensky. In spite of everything I am proud that my Vladimir has managed to keep his focus and excel in his studies.
Fedor: Indeed, I’ll have you know that I’ve written for him a scholastic endorsement. Would you like me to read?
Maria: My word, what a thoughtful gesture…of course by all means!
Fedor (put on his glasses and reading): Very gifted, always neat and assiduous, Ulyanov was first in all his subjects, and upon completing his studies received a gold medal as the most deserving pupil with regard to his ability, progress and behavior. Neither in the school, nor outside, has a single instance been observed when he has given cause for dissatisfaction by word or by deed to the school authorities. Religion and discipline were the basis of this upbringing…the fruits of which are apparent in Ulyanov’s behavior.
Maria: How very splendid of you to regard my son with such esteem.
Fedor: He has earned every accolade. Yet I must say Madame looking more closely at Ulyanov’s character and private life I have had occasion to note a somewhat excessive tendency towards isolation and reserve. A tendency to avoid contact with acquaintances and even with the very best of his school fellows outside school hours.
Maria: His is a very private young man, perhaps not a natural born leader of men but never the less driven. He’ll make a good, productive citizen. I’ll see to it.
Fedor (smiling): Very good Mrs. Ulyanov.
Maria: I must be going in a moment but may I ask who this charming young boy is by your side?
Fedor: Ah, yes, I do apologize for not introducing to you my son Alexander. Madame Ulyanov please meet Alexander Kerensky.
Maria bends over smiling to shake hands with the young boy as the scene fades out. We then see a short montage of scenen showing Lenin reading, studying law, working out, and taking part in a small student demonstration. We quickly show a scene of Vladimir at the dinner table of his mother’s home sitting with Maria and his other siblings...
Vladimir: Brother Alexander failed because he thought that assassinating one man would change everything. In fact it would have changed nothing. The oppressive autocratic regime would have carried on under Nicholas.
Maria: Please not at the dinner table Vladimir, you know how it pains me to think about your brother like that. I worry that you are destined to follow in his footsteps.
Vladimir: I have no desire to take lives mother. Marxist revolution is about changing the entire system of government, not eliminating one or even a dozen men.
Maria: When are you ever going to put down that “Das Kapital” you’ve been reading over and over?
Vladimir: Marx declared the core of the revolution would be the urban proletariat. I too plan to move to St. Petersburg. But where my older brother failed I shall succeed.
His dismayed looking mother picks up her plate and leaves the dining room. Scene cuts away.
