Original subtitles

Produced by Markes Film Studio together with Russkoye Film Studio

SALTYCHIKHA

SALTYCHIKHA

Episode 5 Black Widow

Emelya!

Emelya!

Look!

How's he?

His fever's down, but he's still unconscious.

Why is he sick?

He was healthy when we put him to bed yesterday.

And how are you feeling?

I'm fine.

You may go.

I'll stay with him.

You!

There you are.

Avdotya, don't hurt me, please.

Quiet!

Bad things happened because of you.

You have a sin on you you'll never wash away.

Kill me! I can't anymore!

Quiet!

We have enough trouble without you.

It's all in your hands now, Aksinya.

Sit still.

Don't make a sound or say a word. Got it?

If you don't care for yourself, think about Andrey.

That's him.

Gentlemen, my condolences.

Let me introduce myself.

Khlyschinsky.

Moscow Police Investigator.

How did this happen?

The carriage that Gleb Andreyevich was riding in fell from the bridge.

It was covered with ice.

We think that one of the horses slipped.

And the others got dragged along.

— Did you find the driver? — We're looking for him.

He must have been dragged deep.

Could it be that he killed him?

He jumped, let go of the carriage, and it sank.

We considered this possibility.

But the witnesses saw that the coachman was driving all the way.

We found no signs of violence on the body.

There's a wound, but it must be from the fall.

How did he end up alone at night?

- Why? - We're trying to figure it out.

Have you been to his house? Talked to his wife?

We decided not to bother the widow before you identify him.

In case we're wrong.

And we thought she'll take it better if the relatives tell her the bad news.

I'll follow you if you don't mind.

To question the family.

If you don't mind.

Poor Gleb! How could it happen?

We're all in God's hands, as they say.

He giveth and He taketh away.

He took too much.

Where the hell did he go in the middle of the night and why?

We'll never know.

At least not from him.

Not from the coachman either.

He was a good guy. Although a bit soft in the head.

He had served Gleb since he was a child.

This is all strange.

Really strange.

Thanks a lot, nephew.

God damn him! We chose the wrong in-laws.

Now everything...

The entire fortune...

All goes to her.

All into one hands.

I didn't think of that.

That's true.

Damn it!

Damn nun!

Brother, and maybe the widow will return to the convent out of grief?

It would be the best outcome.

But we need to get our money back first.

Good morning, uncles!

Why are you here so early in the morning?

Is anything wrong?

Your master was found dead in the river this morning.

Did you hear anything?

Or do you know where your master went at night?

Did anyone visit him?

If you're hiding anything, watch out!

We'll take care of the funeral arrangements of course.

They are investigating.

They won't bring him home until tomorrow.

So the funeral will be the day after that.

Thank you for your trouble.

No trouble. We're family.

And where's Sergey?

Sergey isn't well.

I'll tell him.

It will break his heart.

Yes.

He was so attached to his father.

By the way...

Maybe it's not the right time...

But we are very concerned about your future.

Do you understand what situation you're in?

You're left alone with your son.

We could take care of you.

Release you of this burden.

What burden?

My son is the only valuable thing I have left.

Well...

He's not the only valuable thing.

Do you understand what I'm talking about?

No, I don't understand.

I don't.

Are you all right?

Yes, thank you.

You need to stay strong now.

For yourself and for your son.

And if your strength fails you...

You can fully rely on us.

Please...

Think about it.

Thank you.

But I'm not as weak as I might seem.

If you know something, speak now.

I would've told you if I did.

Has your mistress gone anywhere recently?

Did they have any fights?

No, I didn't hear anything.

And she only went to the church.

Okay.

Do you remember what your master did for you?

How can I not remember? Of course I do.

Then do!

Report her every step and every breath to us.

Got it?

Yes.

It seems that the widow really doesn't know anything.

Maybe.

And maybe she's a good actress.

She's not naive.

Yeah.

The nun showed us her teeth.

"Not that weak."

What do we do now?

We made a mistake with Gleb.

We can't make another one.

It's hard to deal with this family.

Do you remember her mother's story?

How could I forget?

Girls' bodies in the coffin.

Mother Superior's death.

Cut-out eyes.

That's where we need to dig.

If we prove that she's crazy...

We'll get the money.

And send her to the convent.

Let's go to their family doctor.

He might remember something.

And we can stop by the convent.

They say that Ivanov's wife had a nervous disease.

The daughter might too.

He locked her away in the convent for a reason.

And he really didn't want to bring her back.

It might link everything together.

— Madam! — Help me.

Madam!

You should rest until it heals.

Hang in there. They won't let you.

I need to tell you something.

Go ahead.

You're in trouble.

They told me to report all about you to them.

They must be planning something.

And what did you tell them?

I said yes of course.

And came straight to you.

The late master was afraid of them too.

They say that these two stop at nothing.

Everyone owes them.

They have friends everywhere.

They know everyone and have ears everywhere.

And you have no one to protect you.

What else did they say?

They want to come at you from all sides.

They said something about the convent and about your father.

Sergey!

Sergey!

Are you awake?

Thank God you're awake.

— Mommy. — What?

I had a bad dream.

What dream?

I don't remember.

You were crying.

I was scared that something would happen to you.

It's the fever.

You got sick.

You got sick.

What's wrong?

Where's Daddy?

Daddy...

Daddy...

Sergey...

Daddy crashed.

He was riding in a carriage and crashed.

Daddy is dead.

In blissful dormition....

Give eternal rest...

O Lord, to Thy deceased servant Gleb.

And make him an eternal memory.

In the prime of his life...

The poor boy is devastated.

And the widow hasn't shed a single tear.

She's like a rock.

The richest woman in the whole of Moscow.

And not just in Moscow.

In Russia!

She'll sure find someone to comfort her.

My condolences.

I'm glad I arrived in time to say farewell to my brother.

And offer my deepest condolences to you.

And she's been holding herself together so well.

And look how it bursted.

She's not made of stone.

You're back.

You're back.

How could I leave the grieving widow alone in her despair?

You haven't changed.

Just as our tradition to meet after funerals.

Do you grieve for him?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. That's cynical.

What's this?

Is this...

He did this?

It doesn't matter.

He's been punished.

What are they saying, Alyoshka?

The Empress has started a new reform.

There’s never a dull moment with our enlightener.

What kind of reform?

The treasury ran out of silver.

And they decided to make paper money.

10 rubles, a thousand...

It'll all be in paper.

That's funny. Well, let them amuse themselves as they please.

We here only use paper to wipe our butts.

What else?

There's a horse race on Saturday.

Well, that's not for us anymore.

What else?

Oh!

Visitation for Count Saltykov.

At the 41st year of his life...

An untimely death.

How did he die?

It doesn't say.

They say the funeral service and reception are held by his widow.

Her maiden name is Ivanova.

Darya Nikolayevna.

Ivanova?

Darya...

Darya Nikolayevna...

Give me a hand, Alyoshka.

Where's it?

Here, here.

Vikenty Petrovich...

Do you need me for anything else?

No, you can go, Alyoshka.

May I visit my father tomorrow?

He says he's sick.

Sure. Go if you must.

Thank you kindly.

What a dump!

Who's there?

Alyoshka, did you forget something?

Good evening, Vikenty Petrovich!

Good evening!

Good evening!

Sorry for coming in like this.

But it seems like you don't have servants.

That's true.

I don't have servants.

Forgive me.

I didn't recognize you, gentlemen.

How can I help you?

Are you sick?

We're here on a quite another business.

What business can one have with a doctor besides sickness?

What business?

It became known to us that you used to be a family doctor of the Ivanovs.

It was a long time ago.

I'm out of favor now.

They refused my services right after Nikolay Avtonomych died.

We'd like to talk about his daughter.

Did you treat her too?

Yes. Why are you asking?

As you probably know, we are the relatives of her deceased husband.

You see, Darya Nikolayevna inherited the fortune of two families.

And we would like to make sure if she's capable of doing business.

An inheritance?

And how big is the fortune?

Huge.

Do you remember anything strange about her?

I remember that she was a nervous child.

She had seizures.

Was there anything else?

Her father sent her to the convent for a reason.

What else do you remember?

But it was a long time ago, gentlemen.

I had a lot of patients.

And I don't...

I need to think and look through my papers.

Yes, yes, yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

It would be good to have papers.

And we would pay you well.

Will 500 rubles refresh your memory?

I can't promise you anything, gentlemen.

Anything.

It was so long ago.

I need to look in my archives.

I need to think.

You know what, gentlemen, come tomorrow.

I might remember something.

Sergey.

I'm a widow now.

I'm free.

Let's go away.

Far away.

That's impossible.

Why?

The Empress called me back to the court.

Gleb's death found me en route.

It's an excuse for my delay and my chance to see you.

So you didn't come for me?

Not for you but to you.

Too bad I don't have much time. Just two days.

I need to leave for Saint Petersburg tomorrow night.

I see.

She sent you away...

She called you back...

Do we belong only to ourselves?

To whom else?

To her?

You're so beautiful.

As beautiful as she?

Don't compare yourself to her.

Sergey...

Why did she call you to court? Tell me.

Why does she remember you?

I have your son.

And what connects you so strongly?

Loyal service.

You're lying.

You're lying.

Come out, Aksinya, don't be afraid.

How long will you be hiding?

Come eat while she's not at home.

She left for the church.

She won't be back soon.

And she doesn't care for you.

She doesn't care while she's busy with the funeral.

And then she'll remember everything.

I can't eat.

If master hasn't died, she would have been in big trouble.

And now I'm in big trouble.

Oh, girls!

She'll kill me.

I'm sure.

Ask Avdotya.

Fall at her feet. Maybe she'll protect you.

Avdotya what?

What's the matter?

Avdotya, dear, tell us what to do.

Help Aksinya.

We need to hide her out of sight.

Maybe you can talk to the manager, and he'll send her away?

For God's sake, Avdotya.

She's one of us. From our village.

Why wouldn't you help?

Why would I?

We have some money.

Please excuse me, Darya Nikolayevna.

You must have forgotten me.

What brings you here, Vikenty Petrovich?

If you don't mind...

It's hard for me to stand.

Besides, you know...

Times are hard now.

I'm ashamed to say, I live in poverty.

I had to move to Nizhny Kislovsky.

Let go of the servants.

I've heard about the tragedy that happened to your husband.

My condolences.

Excuse me, Darya Nikolayevna...

Did your husband know about your disease?

You know, I had visitors recently.

They asked about your health.

They are fast.

They are. They are.

And?

Did you tell them anything?

How could I?

Darya Nikolayevna!

Medical privacy!

Although these visitors offered me 500 rubles.

I see.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for charity.

Although, frankly speaking, I'm a little hurt...

That your family treated me like this after so many years of faithful service.

I remember you often.

I have all the papers.

All the documents.

I still keep them.

How much do you want, Vikenty Petrovich?

Tell me straight.

5,000 rubles.

So your education is over.

She must have a reason to call you back.

I don't know, uncles.

I hope so. God willing.

Okay, we'll see.

Let's deal with one thing at a time.

For now, we have an important job for you.

It works to our advantage that you exchange glances with the widow.

She'll soon be surrounded by suitors.

They'll fly like moths to the flame.

I can guarantee that.

We'll lose the money.

That won't do.

We need to return it back to the family.

Do you want me to marry her?

Look how you put it!

You're a fox!

You need to be by the empress.

We have big plans for you.

Please look after the widow until you leave.

So that she doesn't look at other men.

And keeps what's between you secret.

Clearly that's the case now.

Excuse me, but I don't like that tone.

Just so you know, I have a rank, and I'm not some green officer.

And I'm not a ladies' man.

I have feelings and a heart.

Good thing you have someone who looks after your head.

While your heart is in your pants.

You must have forgotten, boy, who adopted you.

Who relieved your mother of your father's debts.

And introduced you to court back in the days.

So...

We don't need to teach you how to treat grieving women.

As you wish. But I'm not her master to keep her on the leash.

So I can't make any guarantees.

Don't worry about that.

Just do what you must.

And we'll deal with the rest.

We have some ideas.

Madam, you have a visitor.

Sergey!

Wait. We need to talk.

— What's the matter? — My uncles.

They want to take custody of you and disinherit you.

They can try.

You don't understand.

They hired people to know your every move.

They'll make everyone think you're sick.

Or insane.

They'll have to prove it.

And if they find people who'll help them?

You don't realize how wealthy you are.

It's huge money.

Sergey.

Don't worry.

I know my situation.

Don't worry.

There's something they might use against you.

Why are you laughing?

Because I'm happy.

Because you're worried about me.

Don't worry.

Don't worry.

Darya Nikolayevna.

I heard about your loss.

I'm very sorry.

What brings you here? You could have sent for me.

How much money do I have?

Well, according to the most rough estimates...

Your fortune amounts to around 1 million rubles.

How much do I have in cash?

You have 100,000 rubles on your account.

I need them.

Now.

Hello, Mother!

Remember me?

Yes, Darya.

We haven't seen you in a while.

My husband died.

I want to make arrangements for the funeral service.

Can we talk?

Why did you wait for so long?

And are confessing only now.

I'm scared.

I'm punished by the deaths of my father and husband.

But doesn't everyone deserve forgiveness?

You're not responsible for your mother.

God will forgive.

God will forgive.

But my enemies won't.

If they learn about my past and my mother, they might use it against me.

Your secret is safe with us.

Mother Superior trusted me.

She's been grooming me as her successor from the very beginning.

I see that she made a wise decision.

I would like to donate part of my father's fortune to the convent.

But I need to be sure...

That my past and my family's past...

Is buried within these walls.

Rest assured.

I'm coming!

Coming!

Who's there?

Are you alone?

Alone, my dear.

I let everyone go.

Who are you?

Who sent you?

You?

Pyotr Petrovich!

Nikolay Petrovich!

I'm glad to see you.

Come in, take a seat.

Please.

We came to ask you how the investigation is going.

Do you have any new information on the death of our dear Gleb Andreyevich?

Well... Apparently it was an accident.

The investigation established that the horses bolted on the bridge.

Something scared them.

Maybe some kind of beast.

The coachman lost control of the carriage and died together with his master.

But you haven't found his body.

We'll have to wait until spring when the ice melts.

Poor widow!

Yeah.

Poor widow.

Such a fortune...

Ans such generosity.

What are you talking about?

She donated 100 thousand rubles to the convent.

The governor sent her his gratitude.

They want to make her an honorary citizen.

They say people adore her.

Have you heard? She donated 100 thousand to the convent.

Saltykova!

100 thousand! That's a lot of money!

She donated 100 thousand!

100 thousand?

Saltykova! 100 thousand!

Haven't you heard?

Widow Saltykova donated almost all her fortune to the church yesterday.

That's generous.

Don't you think it's a little too extravagant?

It's like everyone else is heartless.

That's true!

She left a fortune to the church.

I think that's some kind of vanity.

Yes, I think so too.

Really? 100 thousand?

She'll spend it all this way.

What a good job we did!

What now, brother?

Well, there's no use of going to the convent now.

Did you call for me, madam?

I haven't seen the maid for a while.

— What's her name? — Aksinya.

Right.

Where's she?

Madam, she's sick.

Looks terrible. Can't get off the toilet.

I'm afraid it might be a disease.

I've been thinking, maybe we send her away to the village and hope for the best?

What's the matter, Avdotya?

Do you want to exterminate the entire village?

I'm sorry, madam. I said it without thinking.

Then I'll let her stay in the shed?

Let her stay in the shed.

Send her to me when she recovers.

She's a fool but helpful.

I don't want to let her go.

Okay, madam.

Darya Nikolayevna, we're sorry for coming unannounced.

We're family after all.

Tea?

Yes please.

We're here to ask how are you?

It must be hard. You're alone.

Widowed.

With a child to bring up.

I'm fine.

Fine.

An accident...

What a stupid death!

It's terrible.

And still I wonder...

Where was Gleb going alone at such a late hour?

Alas, I don't know.

I was sleeping.

Yeah.

And the servants too...

The coachman died.

We'll send you our coachman.

He's a reliable man.

I've already made arrangements.

Thank you.

Let me tell you straight, Darya Nikolayevna.

Just before Gleb's death, we signed a large part of our fortune over to him.

We had to do it because of the business matters.

So that our creditors wouldn't take it away.

What are you telling me?

Do you want to take advantage of the widow and the fatherless?

It was Gleb's business. I don't know anything about it.

I have enough trouble of my own.

I have a big household now.

So, forgive me, but I have other things to worry about.

Here's your tea.

Thank you.

We won't trouble you.

You have so much trouble with your household.

We'll take our leave.

That's tough luck.

What do we do now?

Yeah... We underestimated her.

She can handle things.

She's a smart snake.

She calculated everything.

We won't get close to her now.

God knows we didn't want it to come to that.

But we have to do something.

Mom, look!

I'm riding!

Go! Go! Move!

I'm riding!

Mom, look!

Look how happy he is.

I wish never to part with you.

When will you marry me?

You know it.

Now's not the time.

Okay.

I'll be waiting.

Sergey!

There you are! I've been looking for you.

Get off the horse.

Here you go.

The horse is tired.

And our time is up.

— Where's Mommy? — Mommy?

She's sick. She asked me to take care of you.

We'll go to your uncles.

See? They've sent a carriage for us.

It's hard to let you go.

Okay.

Go!

Go, go!

I'll make a wish for you to come back soon.

Sergey!

Sergey!

Sergey!

Are you okay?

They took the child!

They took our child!

— Who are they? — Uncles.

They took our son!

— Grab my hand! — Please bring our son back!

Look at me! Why do they need him?

The inheritance! Bring our son back!

Sergey!

Calm down.

Bring him back!

Please bring him back!

Bring our son back!

Sergey!