The Romeo and Juliet movie took about two hours to complete and as everyone witnessed the story on the big screen, the patrons cried sympathetically to the main characters. Among them was Christina, who was rubbing her eyes with her handkerchief.
"How tragic can fate be to them? This is just unfair!" Christina sniffed while wiping her nose discreetly before speaking again. "Oh, I feel so sorry for them! They are in love, but it ends like this -"
"Seriously sister? You are crying over a movie?" Tiffania smugly interrupted her sister's lamenting. She had an amused grin plastered on her face when she noticed her expression. "What a silly thing! For me, I don't think that love was that tragic. It's just that they are not fated to be with one another because if fate smiled on them, they would be alive."
"Tiffania, how could you be so heartless when such a scene unfolds before you?"
"Because I'm not that immersed in the story?" Tiffania responded with a shrug. "Nevertheless I liked the ambiance and the setting of the movie theater. This is very different from the play which cuts in the middle for the preparation for the second act. In this movie, it is continuous. I'm thinking I might return here if the movies they are screening are in line with my interest," Tiffania said, flipping her hair with her hand.
"Sister Christina is right," Anastasia joined in the conversation. "You are a cold person."
"No, it's just a matter of preferences," Tiffania said. "Well, the movie was done so I guess we will go watch another movie?" she glanced at Alexander, seeking permission.
"Well…" Alexander looked at his wristwatch, checking the time. "There are fifteen minutes left before the next show starts, which is the war film. We can go there now if you like but I'm sure one of you is feeling a little bit uncomfortable and have to do business?"
"Business? What are you talking about in riddles brother? Don't tell me, it's literal? You have to go now?"
"No it's not that kind of business," Alexander said. "I have been holding it for quite some time now and I need to release it."
"What do you mean to release it…" Tiffania trailed off as she realized what his brother was talking about. "I see, that's pitiful if one were to think. So would that mean we will see each other in different movie houses?"
"That's certainly correct," Alexander said.
"Papa, what business are you talking about?" Anya tugged his sleeves as she asked.
Alexander leaned over to her ears and whispered. "Papa needs to pee."
"Ahhh…" Anya let out a small giggle and nodded in understanding. "I thought you were going to leave us here because you have important work."
"No, there won't be important work in the meantime," Alexander pinched her cheek as he stood up. "You go with your aunts, I'll return as soon as I can."
The siblings watched their brother walk down the aisle of the theater towards the exit who was followed by Rolan.
They headed towards the bathroom and locked the door behind them. Alexander needing to urinate was a lie he came up with to hear what Rolan has to say. Rolan whispered to him in the middle of the movie about something and since his attention was on the movie, he didn't get the information Rolan intended to pass.
"Sir, I just received word from the Winter Palace, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei. He said that the United States is demanding more aid from the Ruthenia Empire due to the side effects that are ravaging the citizens of the capital."
"I see…must have been from nuclear fallout and if one were to be exposed to nuclear radiation, they'll get cancer and leukemia. Did Sergei really tell that to one of your men?"
"It seems that Sergei is a trusting person. And the information is not that much of a security threat when the public knows about it. So I guess, it's okay for him to pass along that information."
"Well, I have been prepared for the effects of using a nuclear bomb on foreign soil. That's why I'm investing rubles in the reconstruction efforts and cleaning off the radioactive waste the bomb left behind. This is to know that I care for those who were affected. And if you think I'm feeling sorry towards them, you would be wrong. There was no such thing as a clean war, it's inevitable not to have innocent casualties." Alexander said. "Being a head of state of the country means I have to make decisions about these matters whether I am willing to admit it or not, which results in having to take the consequences of my decisions. As well as making decisions to protect my people and my country."
"Sir Alexander, you don't have to explain yourself to me. You are doing your job. I just passed the message," Rolan said.
Alexander scoffed. "Well, I'm really talkative aren't I?" He walked towards the sink and washed his hands. "Anyway, we must return now, or otherwise the girls would get suspicious."
"You are right about that sir," Rolan chuckled and continued. "Though, are you sure you don't have to take one?"
"Ehhh…now that you mentioned it, I think I'm kind of feeling it right now, so I'm going to go to a cubicle and do my business," Alexander said as he proceeded to an empty cubicle. Moments later, he got out, washed his hands, and exited the comfort room with Rolan.
"Where are they," Alexander asked.
Rolan pressed his earpiece to communicate with his men who are tasked to watch over the Grand Duchesse
"Sir, they are already at the movie house. Your sister, Tiffania said that they want popcorn and drinks."
"Those guys, I bet they love the taste. Very well, looks like I'll have to head over and grab them some."
"I'll go with you, sir," Rolan said and proceeded to the popcorn stand located outside the movie theater.
The privilege of being an emperor worked again where instead of queuing up, he just went straight over to the counter and ordered food. Of course, as a courtesy to the patrons who are the common people, Alexander had to do it quickly, so that they wouldn't take much time.
Fortunately, the crew prepared his order fast. After that, the two went into the movie house where his sisters and daughter were waiting. The movie that they are going to watch is a war film. One of the most highly-anticipated movies of all time that used state-of-the-art technology and techniques to get the viewers immersed in a military setting.
It is also the highest budget, with a whopping 50 million rubles. New military vehicles, aircraft, and warships are featured in the movie, and to make it as realistic as possible, Alexander wrote a letter to the Imperial Ruthenian Armed Forces to give the director privileged access.
Just as how the movie started earlier, the national anthem was played before diving into the movie. They sat and ate their popcorn as the movie began to play the title sequence which shows the name of the producer, actors, and director.
