Chess - David H. Bell Revisions

7/25/2019 Chess - David H. Bell Revisions

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Revised Broadway Script

Music by Lyrics

Benny Björn TimAndersson Ulvaeus Rice

Based on an Idea by

Tim Rice

Book by

Richard Nelson

Revised byDavid H. Bell



CHARACTERS

FLORENCEANATOLYFREDDIEMOLOKOVWALTERSVETLANAARBITERGREGORY VASSY

YOUNG FLORENCE NIKOLAIJOEHAROLDENSEMBLE

SETTINGThe action takes place in and around the 1979 World ChessChampionship in Bangkok, Thailand, and two months later

in Budapest, Hungary.



LEAD CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Florence: Strong belt voice (to E). Mid-thirties. Born inHungary (so musn’t look like an “All-American Girl”); has been brought up in America since 1956. She is clever,theatrical, touching, vivacious, volatile. Frederick’s chess“second”.

Anatoly: Baritone (to G sharp). Early forties. A Russianchess champion. Unexpectedly charming. He doesn’t seem

a romantic hero at first, but becomes one through his personality. An intelligent, feeling, passionate man.

Freddie: Rock tenor (to C sharp). Mid-thirties. AnAmerican chess champion. A cross between Bobby Fisherand John McEnroe. Arrogant and temperamental, but agenius; his chess playing is revolutionary. We need to seehis artistry along with his danger and his obsessiveness.

Molokov: Bass (down to F sharp). Fifties. Not a fake,comic, stage Russian. Intellectually formidable. Seemingly

a father figure to Florence. Anatoly’s chess “second”. Anactor who sings well.

Walter: Bass-baritone (down to G sharp). Fifties. Amarketing agent. Seemingly respectable, substantial,trustworthy. An actor who sings well.

Svetlana: Strong belt voice (up to E). Late thirties.Anatoly’s estranged wife. Domestic, wholesome, shy. Adramatic contrast to Florence — not a contemporarycosmopolitan woman.

Arbiter: Rock high baritone (up to A). Thirty to earlyforties. International businessman. Smooth, but with aquick temper.



MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT I

PROLOGUE.....................................................BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 1956The Story of Chess.....................................................................................GregorLullaby...........................................................................................Gregor, Rebels

BANGKOK, THAILAND, 1988

Freddie’s Entrance.....................................................................................FreddiePress Conference....................................................................Florence, ReportersWhere I Want to Be..................................................................................AnatolyHow Many Women....................................................................Florence, Freddie

Arbiter’s Song...............................................................................Arbiter, ChorusU.S. vs. U.S.S.R.........................................................................Molokov, ChorusQuartet........................................................Molokov, Florence, Arbiter, AnatolyAmerican and Florence..............................................................Florence, FreddieSomeone Else’s Story..............................................................................FlorenceTerrace Duet..............................................................................Florence, AnatolyOne Night in Bangkok............................................................Freddie and ChorusStory of Chess (Reprise).............................................................................ArbiterFlorence Quits............................................................................Freddie, Florence

Nobody’s Side............................................................................Florence, ChorusAnatoly and the Press.............................................................................ReportersAnthem......................................................................................................Anatoly

INTERMISSION

ACT II

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Heaven Help My Heart............................................................................FlorenceWinning........................................................................................Walter, FreddieYou and I...................................................................Florence, Anatoly, SvetlanaFreddie Goes Metal....................................................................................FreddieArbiter’s Song (Reprise)...............................................................Arbiter, ChorusLet’s Work Together..................................................................Molokov, WalterI Know Him So Well................................................................Florence, SvetlanaPity the Child.............................................................................................FreddieEndgame.................................................................................................CompanyYou and I (Reprise)...................................................................Anatoly, FlorenceFinale......................................................................................................Company



I – Prologue – 1

ACT I

PROLOGUE

(MUSIC #1: “Overture (Instrumental)”)

( Budapest, Hungary, 1956. A small crowded room; numerous people

under blankets sleeping, others smoking, reading the paper or simply

staring into space; all are waiting.

In the center of this, GREGOR VASSY, mid-thirties, sits in front of a chess

board; his four-year-old daughter, FLORENCE, sits across from him.

Outside one hears the occasional GUNSHOT.)

(MUSIC #2: “The Story of Chess”)

GREGORFlorence, please concentrate.EACH GAME OF CHESS MEANS THERE’S ONE LESS VARIATION LEFT TO BE PLAYED.EACH DAY GOT THROUGH MEANS ONE OR TWOLESS MISTAKES REMAIN TO BE MADE.

NOT MUCH IS KNOWNOF EARLY DAYS OF CHESS BEYOND A FAIRLY VAGUE REPORTTHAT FIFTEEN HUNDRED YEARS AGO TWO PRINCES FOUGHT,TOUGH BROTHERS, FOR A HINDU THRONE.

THEIR MOTHER CRIED,FOR NO-ONE REALLY LIKES THEIR OFFSPRING FIGHTING TO THE DEATH.SHE BEGGED THEM, “STOP THE SLAUGHTER” WITH HER EVERY BREATH, BUT SURE ENOUGH, ONE BROTHER DIED.

SAD BEYOND BELIEF,SHE TOLD HER WINNING SON“YOU HAVE CAUSED SUCH GRIEF— I CAN’T FORGIVE THIS EVIL THING YOU’VE DONE!”

HE TRIED TO EXPLAINHOW THINGS HAD REALLY BEEN,BUT HE TRIED IN VAIN. NO WORDS HE FOUND COULD SATISFY THE QUEEN.

AND SO HE ASKEDTHE WISEST MEN HE KNEW THE WAY TO LESSEN HER DISTRESS.THEY TOLD HIM HE’D BE PRETTY CERTAIN TO IMPRESS




BY USING MODEL SOLDIERS ONA CHECQUERED BOARD TO SHOW IT WAS HIS BROTHER’S FAULT: THEY THUS INVENTED CHESS.

( FLORENCE reaches out and hands him one of the pieces. He laughs, andleads her to lie down)

Come and sleep now, Florence. You have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow — all the wayfrom Budapest to America.

(MUSIC #3: “Lullaby”)

GREGORALUDJ KICSI LÁNYKÁM,HUNYD BE SZEMECSKÉDET,

(Slowly the others join him in the lullaby.)

GREGOR & CHORUSÁLMOD ÉDES SZÁRNYÁNSUHANJ KÖNNYEDÉN,APUKÁD ERŐS KEZÉN.

ELALUDT A PÁRNÁD,KIALSZIK A FÉNY.SUHANJ KICSI LÁNYKÁMÁLMOD KÉK EGÉN,APUKÁD ERŐS KEZ—

(Some PEOPLE hurry in.)

MANThe archway’s clear!

WOMANTanks — the Russians are moving into Prodgsy Street.

A MAN IN THE ROOMLet’s go. Hurry!

( Most of the PEOPLE in the room pick up their belongings and start to go.

GREGOR motions to FLORENCE and hands her a chess piece)

GREGORKeep this chess piece with you always, Florence, and I will keep mine. And I pray that one day Iwill see you again.

(they embrace)Go now, Florence, please!




YOUNG FLORENCEPapa, papa!

(She is carried away by the departing REBELS. The last turns and shakes

hands with GREGOR)MAN

Good luck, Gregor Vassy.

( And exits. GREGOR and a handful of REBELS remains.)

MAN IN ROOMFerenc says that if they move across the river, we move back to the wall.

GREGOR

We move, they move.( He picks up his gun and they follow him out.)

END OF PROLOGUE



I – 1 – 4

Scene 1

( Bangkok, 1988. A large meeting room in the Bangkok Hilton Hotel. As

the scene begins members of the press are gathered around )

(MUSIC #4: “Freddie’s Entrance”) ARBITER

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 1979 World Chess Championship. The challenger is alittle late, so you may address your questions to the World Champion, Mr. Anatoly Sergievsky.

( FREDDIE TRUMPER enters, accompanied FLORENCE, now in her

mid-thirties and his second, and his agent, WALTER ANDERSON )

FREDDIEWHAT A SCENE! WHAT A JOY!

WHAT A LOVELY SIGHT — WHEN MY GAME IS THE BIG SENSATION!HAS THE MOB’S SPORTING TASTE ALTERED OVERNIGHT?HAVE THEY FOUND NEW SOPHISTICATION?

NOT YET! THEY JUST WANNA SEEIF THE NICE GUY BEATS THE BUM!IF IT’S EAST-WEST — AND THE MONEY’S SKY-HIGH!THEY ALL COME — YOU ALL COME!

( As they enter the meeting room there is pandemonium. Also at the table

are ANATOLY and MOLOKOV.)

ARBITERAh, Mr. Freddie Trumper! The challenger has seen fit to join us. How wonderful.

( REPORTERS shout questions at FREDDIE )

FREDDIEYou!

FRENCH REPORTER( In French: “Mr. Trumper, what is your — )

Monsieur Trumper, quelle est votre —

FREDDIESorry, I don’t speak Frog, next question!



I – 1 – 5

AUSTRALIAN REPORTERMr. Trumper, do you think chess should be an Olympic sport?

FREDDIEWhat, and do it for free?

ANOTHER REPORTERHow do you like Bangkok so far, Freddie?

FREDDIEWell, geez —I’m staying right here at the Hilton. Right down the block’s a McDonald’s and aBurger King. Seems like Cleveland to me.

ENGLISH REPORTERWhen the game’s moved to Budapest, you’re scheduled at the same time as the next summitconference between —

FREDDIE If we make it to Budapest. Hey, I could win them all here. He could just give up.

ARBITERAllright — and now, some questions for Mr. Sergievsky.

GERMAN REPORTERMr. Sergievsky, this is only the second time that a match has been divided between two sites,Bangkok and Budapest. Is it because the Soviets decided —

MOLOKOVMr. Sergievsky plays where the World Chess Federation tells him to play. The match sites arenot under our control.

AMERICAN REPORTERBangkok’s got a reputation of having a rich night life.

( some laughter )Do you guys partake to partake in — ?

FREDDIEHey, I’m in training, I’m sorry to say. Next time.

AMERICAN REPORTERWell, you brought all you need with you, anyway.

(laughter )

FREDDIE( smiling )



I – 1 – 6

What’s that supposed to mean?

AMERICAN REPORTERWell, Miss Vassy’s not an unattractive woman, Freddie.

FREDDIEFlorence is my chess second — what are you implying?

AMERICAN REPORTERForget it.

FREDDIE No, I want to know —

FLORENCE(trying to stop this)

Freddie… FREDDIE

(ignoring her, to REPORTER) No, no, no — Come here.

(awkward pause)C’mere!

AMERICAN REPORTER(as he approaches FREDDIE )

Look, it was a joke, okay?

( suddenly FREDDIE grabs the REPORTER’s drink and squirts it at him

and hurries out. There is chaos; REPORTERS yelling questions.)

(MUSIC #5: “Press Conference”)

FIRST REPORTERWELL, WHAT DID I SAY?HE'S OUT OF HIS TREE,

SECOND REPORTERHE'S FINALLY FLIPPED — AND BETWEEN YOU AND ME,

THIRD REPORTERTHOUGH HE SWEARS THE AMERICAN DREAMIS CLEARLY THE BESTHE’S NO ADVERTISEMENT FOR LIFE AND TIMES IN THE WEST!



I – 1 – 7

( FLORENCE storms in, dominating their words with a powerful

outburst:)

FLORENCE

SMILE, YOU’VE GOT YOUR FIRST EXCLUSIVE STORY! NOW, YOU CAN BASK IN HIS REFLECTED GLORY!“NAKED, UNPROVOKED, YANKEE AGGRESSION”— OH, WHAT A CREDIT TO YOUR GREAT PROFESSION!

( FLORENCE exits)

REPORTERSHOW SAD THAT THE BEST HIS COUNTRY’S PRODUCED IS CRUMBLING IN FRONT OF OUR EYES AND REDUCEDTO A MINDLESS ABUSE,

WHEN HE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL INSTEAD — REMEMBER, WE MADE HIM FAMOUS,WITHOUT US, HE’S DEAD!

TELL ALL THIS TO THE UNITED NATIONS — IS HE AN ASSET TO EAST-WEST RELATIONS?

ARBITERQuiet, please — Mr. Sergievsky would like to speak.

( ANATOLY is swarmed by REPORTERS )

End of Scene



I – 2 – 8

Scene 2

(The individual hotel suites of the two champions. In FREDDIE’s suite,

FLORENCE and FREDDIE are practicing chess. WALTER is on the phone.)

WALTER( Into phone)

Thirty thousand. He won’t take a penny less. (calls)

Will you, Freddie?(no response; into phone)

He’s adamant. It’s thirty or nothing. (beat )

No, thirty.

( In ANATOLY’s hotel suite. ANATOLY SERGIEVSKY, the Russianchallenger, and his second, IVAN MOLOKOV, enter the suite.)

ANATOLYIt’s all a performance— it has to be.

MOLOKOVEven I know his reputation.

ANATOLYBut to see it there in front of you —

MOLOKOVYes, very amusing.

RUSSIANMolokov, you have telephone messages.

( He hands them to him. To ANATOLY.)Good luck, my friend. The American is just a child.

MOLOKOVI’m beginning to think a chess match will not be the boring assignment I had feared.

( Handing ANATOLY a phone message)From your wife. She called from home.

ANATOLYWhen will you learn —when I’m in a match I have neither a wife nor a—



I – 2 – 9

MOLOKOVA home? When you are home I understand you don’t call your wife either. But this is none ofmy business.

ANATOLY

I’m here to play chess. MOLOKOV

And I’m here to help you play chess.

( At FREDDIE’s suite, WALTER finishes up his deal on the phone)

WALTER(into phone)

It’s a deal. Twenty-five.(he hangs up and moves to FREDDIE )

Yes! Twenty-five grand and it doesn’t even have to be your foot in the picture! FREDDIE

It doesn’t?

WALTER No, they can use any old foot they want. They put your signature across it, see. One ad. Theydon’t even need to photograph you.

FLORENCEFreddie, please. Concentrate.

WALTERYes, a photo session, I told them, was gonna cost real money.

(he exits)

FLORENCE( Mimicking )

“Yes, a photo session, I told them, was going to cost real money”— where did you find that guy,selling watches on Broadway?

FREDDIEYou just hate the idea of making money.

FLORENCEI just hate the fact of always talking about it. Hey, now that he’s sold your toes, what other partsof your body are you going to throw in?



I – 2 – 10

FREDDIEFlorence —

FLORENCEI suggest the head —something you don’t seem to use anymore!

FREDDIEGet off me!

FLORENCE( suddenly serious)

Watch him. That is my advice. Period.

FREDDIEI know what I’m doing.

FLORENCEThat I am going to have to take on faith.

( NIKOLAI, MOLOKOV’s assistant, enters ANATOLY’s suite with a file.)

MOLOKOVAh, what did you bring?

NIKOLAI( Handing file.)

The woman with Trumper. Florence Vassy.

ANATOLYAn exper ienced second. She’s well-known — her father was a great Hungarian champion.

(beat )You could have just asked me.

MOLOKOV(reading the file)

Florence Vassy. Left Hungary as a child. 1956. Freddie Trumper’s second. (To NIKOLAI )

Sleep together?

NIKOLAIRumor is they do, but we’re checking this out.

ANATOLYHe needs only an answer, Nikolai, not a videotape.



I – 2 – 11

MOLOKOVSpeak for yourself!

( He laughs. NIKOLAI exits.)I could tell you stories about Hungarian women.

The phone rings; MOLOKOV goes to answer it.)

MOLOKOV( Into phone)

Hello?

( In FREDDIE’s suite, FREDDIE speaks up)

FREDDIELook, trust me, will you —Sergievsky doesn’t know what the hell to make of me after thismorning!

FLORENCEStick to the chess, Freddie! Do what you’re good at! The Russians aren’t as dumb as you think.Sergievsky may not have just sold his toes for twenty-five grand, but we can still have somerespect for him. And from now on this agent or whatever he is stays away from you while you’re preparing.

FREDDIEWhat are you, my mother? You’re not here to tell me what to do, Florence.

FLORENCEI thought that’s exactly what my job was, Freddie.

( In ANATOLY’s suite, MOLOKOV is on the phone)

MOLOKOVYes, comrade, he’ll be right down.

(hangs up; to ANATOLY) Ah — our ambassador has arrived.

ANATOLYOur ambassador?

(MUSIC #6: “Where I Want to Be”)

MOLOKOVDidn’t I tell you? He’s asked to play a single game against a Soviet champion.

ANATOLYTonight? No, Molokov, I have a match tomorrow —



I – 2 – 12

MOLOKOV(as he goes to the door )

He went to university with First Secretary.(beat )

You have no choice.

( He exits. ANATOLY looks over the chess board.)

ANATOLYWHO NEEDS A DREAM?WHO NEEDS AMBITION?WHO’D BE THE FOOL IN MY POSITION?ONE, I HAD DREAMS — NOW THEY’RE OBSESSIONS. HOPES BECAME NEEDS,

LOVERS POSSESSIONS.THEN THEY MOVE IN — OH, SO DISCREETLY.SLOWLY AT FIRST,SMILING TOO SWEETLY.I OPENED DOORS — THEY WALKED RIGHT THROUGH THEM.CALLED ME THEIR FRIEND — I HARDLY KNEW THEM.

NOW I’M

ANATOLY & CHORUSWHERE I WANT TO BE AND WHO I WANT TO BEAND DOING WHAT I ALWAYS SAID I WOULD,AND YET I FEEL I HAVEN’T WON AT ALL! RUNNING FOR MY LIFE AND NEVER LOOKING BACKIN CASE THERE’S SOMEONE RIGHT BEHIND TO SHOOT ME DOWN AND SAY HE ALWAYS KNEW I’D FALL!

ANATOLYWHEN THE CRAZY WHEEL SLOWS DOWN,WHERE WILL I BE? BACK WHERE I STARTED.

DON’T GET ME WRONG— I’M NOT COMPLAINING. TIMES HAVE BEEN GOOD,FAST, ENTERTAINING.BUT WHAT’S THE POINT



I – 2 – 13

IF I’M CONCEALING MOST OF MY THOUGHTS,ALL OF MY FEELINGS?

NOW I’M

ANATOLY & CHORUSWHERE I WANT TO BE AND WHO I WANT TO BEAND DOING WHAT I ALWAYS SAID I WOULD,AND YET I FEEL I HAVEN’T WON AT ALL! RUNNING FOR MY LIFE AND NEVER LOOKING BACKIN CASE THERE’S SOMEONE RIGHT BEHIND TO SHOOT ME DOWN AND SAY HE ALWAYS KNEW I’D FALL!

ANATOLYWHEN THE CRAZY WHEEL SLOWS DOWN,

WHERE WILL I BE? BACK WHERE I STARTED.(blackout . At FREDDIE’s suite, FLORENCE makes a move on the board.)

FLORENCEHere. A pawn down.

(She takes off a pawn. FREDDIE moves)Oh —you move the bishop…I move…the knight.

( FREDDIE moves, then stops. He smiles, realizing defeat.)

FREDDIEOkay. Very good. Where’d you pick that up— ?

FLORENCEBelinksi. He saw this position in a Sergievsky match in Volograd.

(beat.)I’ve been saving it.

FREDDIESo —I won’t let myself get into a position like—

FLORENCESergievsky wasn’t the one who made the move, Frederick. He was the one who got out of it.

FREDDIE.( stunned )

What? No. No, that’s not— ( pause, he studies the board intently)

No. That’s not possible.



I – 2 – 14

FLORENCE(teasing )

Sergievsky found a way out…

FREDDIEWell, you must have it wrong…

(MUSIC #7: “How Many Women”)

FLORENCEHe got out!

(laughing )It’s not gonna be as easy as you think, Mr. Trumper!

HOW MANY WOMEN WOULD DRIVE THEMSELVES CRAZYBY ARGUING OVER A GAME OF CHESS?

NOT VERY MANY — THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING,THERE’LL SOON BE ONE LESS!

FREDDIEDON’T BELIEVE YOU, SWEETIE-PIE!

FLORENCELISTEN, FREDDIE — I TOO HAD AMBITIONS — HOW DID I GET WAYLAID?HOW CAN SUCH A FLOWER,A SENSITIVE SOUL — A DELICATE CHILD!WIND UP AS A NURSEMAID — RESPECTABLY SET FOR THE GLITTERING PRIZES,INSTEAD OF WHICH I LANDED YOU!

FREDDIEYOU’LL GET YOUR PRIZES— I’M NINETY PERCENT OF THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE HEAP!

FLORENCEThanks —

TEN PERCENT — YOU GOT ME CHEAP!

FREDDIE No, no, Florence — I meant we are ninety percent of the way —

FLORENCEHOW MANY WOMEN — ARTICULATE WOMEN,WITH SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT — SPEND THEIR TIME



I – 2 – 15

PLAYING A GAME IN WHICH SILENCE IS GOLDENAND SPEAKING A CRIME?

FREDDIEMAYBE IF HE MOVED HIS KING…

FLORENCEALL OF MY STRUGGLES FOR QUALIFICATION — MY NIGHTS WITH GOETHE AND PROUST — RECKLESSLY ABANDONEDFOR YOU! WHO THINKS CHECKOV IS KING TO G3 — AND JOYCE, MY COLLEGE ROOMMATE!BUT THEN WHEN I SHOW YOU A MOVE YOU CAN’T FATHOM— I HAVE TO ADMIT, IT FEELS GREAT!

FREDDIE

GREAT NEWS FOR CHESS FANS!( Making a triumphant move.)YEAH —THAT’S HOW HE DID IT! YES, THAT’S HOW THE COMMMUNIST PLAYS!

FLORENCEMAYBE I DESERVE A RAISE!

( FLORENCE looks at the board and nods to FREDDIE.)

FLORENCE Nice. Maybe you are ready for the Russians.

End of Scene



I – 3 – 16

Scene 3

(The Chess arena, where preparations are underway for the match. The

ARBITER enters with great aplomb.)

(MUSIC #8: “The Arbiter’s Song”) ARBITER

I’VE A DUTY AS THE REFEREE AT THE START OF THE MATCHON BEHALF OF ALL OUR SPONSORS, I MUST WELCOME YOU,WHICH I DO — THERE’S A CATCH!

I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE A CHAMPION— NO ONE MESSES WITH ME!

I AM RUTHLESS IN UPHOLDING WHAT I KNOW IS RIGHT,BLACK OR WHITE,AS YOU’LL SEE!

I’M ON THE CASE— CAN’T BE FOOLED! ANY OBJECTIONIS OVERRULED!YES, I’M THE ARBITER AND I KNOW BEST!

CHORUSHE’S IMPARTIAL—DON’T PUSH HIM, HE’S UNIMPRESSED!

ARBITERYOU GOT YOUR TRICKS?GOOD FOR YOU!BUT THERE’S NO GAMBIT I DON’T SEE THROUGH! OH, I’M THE ARBITER— I KNOW THE SCORE!

ARBITER & CHORUSFROM SQUARE ONE, I’LL/HE’LL BE WATCHING ALL SIXTY-FOUR!

ARBITERYOU GOT YOUR TRICKS?GOOD FOR YOU!BUT THERE’S NO GAMBITI DON’T SEE THROUGH! OH, I’M THE ARBITER— I KNOW THE SCORE!



I – 3 – 17


( As the ARBITER moves back to oversee preparations, FLORENCE and MOLOKOV enter from opposite sides of the stage.)

MOLOKOVMiss Vassy. Wonderful show, isn’t it?

FLORENCEMakes you feel —

MOLOKOVProud to be an American?

FLORENCE

What do you want, Mr. Molokov?MOLOKOV

You’ve learned my name. I’m flattered. (beat )

A question about the chairs.

FLORENCEWe agreed on Swedish chairs — neutral chairs.

MOLOKOVWe brought with us two very comfortable Finnish chairs —Finland’s neutral.

FLORENCEBut are the chairs?

MOLOKOVWhat could one do with chairs?

FLORENCEOh, I’m all ears— tell me.

MOLOKOVYou seem so distrustful. I hope you are not one of those right-wing conservative American —

FLORENCEMr. Molokov, I just have the old-fashioned belief that the game should be played entirely on thechess board.

MOLOKOV



I – 3 – 18

Ah, yes. But the world is changing — NO ONE CAN DENY THESE ARE ENCOURAGING TIMES!

CHORUS NO ONE CAN DENY THESE ARE ENCOURAGING TIMES!

MOLOKOVIT’S THE U.S. VERSUS U.S.S.R., YET WE MORE OR LESS ARE —

CHORUS NO ONE CAN DENY THESE ARE ENCOURAGING TIMES!

MOLOKOV — TO OUR CREDIT, PUTTING ALL THAT ASIDE,WE HAVE SWALLOWED OUR PRIDE!

CHORUSTHESE ARE OPTIMISTIC AND ENCOURAGING TIMES!

(The preparations set, ANATOLY and FREDDIE have entered. The ARBITER addresses them)

ARBITERIF YOU’RE THINKING OF THE KIND OF THING THAT WE’VE SEEN IN THE PAST— CHANTING GURUS, WALKIE-TALKIES, WALKOUTS, HYPNOTISTS,TEMPERS, FISTS — NOT SO FAST!

THIS IS NOT THE START OF WORLD WAR THREE — NO POLITICAL PLOYS!I THINK BOTH YOUR CONSTITUTIONS ARE TERRIFIC,SO NOW YOU KNOW:BE GOOD BOYS!

( ANATOLY and FREDDIE move to sit at the board as the ARBITER

moves past them)I’M ON THE CASE! CAN’T BE FOOLED! ANY OBJECTIONIS OVERRULED!YES, I’M THE ARBITER AND I KNOW BEST!

CHORUSHE’S IMPARTIAL—DON’T PUSH HIM, HE’S UNIMPRESSED!



I – 3 – 19

ARBITERYOU GOT YOUR TRICKS?GOOD FOR YOU!BUT THERE’S NO GAMBIT I DON’T SEE THROUGH!

OH, I’M THE ARBITER— I KNOW THE SCORE!ARBITER & CHORUS

FROM SQUARE ONE, I’LL/HE’LL BE WATCHING ALL SIXTY-FOUR!

ARBITERYES, I’M THE ARBITER— I KNOW THE SCORE!


End of Scene



I – 4 – 20

Scene 4

(MUSIC #9: “Chess No. 1 (Instrumental)”)

(The Arena. ANATOLY and FREDDIE begin to play chess. They play for

quite a while, when FREDDIE looks up at ANATOLY, who is eating a cupof yogurt (he had eaten another cup at the start of play). FREDDIE looksat the yogurt, then back at ANATOLY.)

FREDDIEPut that down.

ANATOLYWhat?

FREDDIE

The yogurt. Give that here, let me see that — (he reaches across the board )

ANATOLYI’m not giving you anything— get away!

FREDDIE(Stands and yells.)

Check it! I want someone checking that yogurt!(To ANATOLY .)

Put it down!

(The ARBITER nods to an assistant to go and look at the yogurt )

FREDDIEIt’s strawberry yogurt!

ANATOLYThis is true.

FREDDIE( pleased )

And before that it was blueberry! And before that , it was blueberry!

ARBITERSo?

FREDDIEWhat are you, stupid? He’s getting signals with the choice of yogurt. He’s cheating!



I – 4 – 21

ARBITERMr. Trumper —

FREDDIEDon’t be so damn naïve!

ANATOLYIs this a joke?

FREDDIELook, I demand he no longer be served yogurt — and I want an apology!

ANATOLY( scoffs)

What? Never.

FLORENCEFreddie, what are you doing?

FREDDIEFlorence, look, I think I’m being very generous here. I could demand he be disqualified!

(beat. To ARBITER)Well, call him on it, it’s your job!

( No response)Okay, I get it. You’re working for him.

ARBITERMr. Trumper — ! Would you please —

FREDDIEForget it. This match is history —it’s over!

( FREDDIE storms out. The CROWD gasps. Then silence)

ARBITERBreak for lunch!

(MUSIC #10: “Quartet”)

(Chaos, REPORTERS run off after FREDDIE. The arena is slowly

emptied except for ANATOLY, FLORENCE, MOLOKOV, and the

ARBITER)

MOLOKOV(To FLORENCE )

Pity, you cannot always choose who you work for.



I – 4 – 22

FLORENCETrue.

(to ANATOLY )And I’ve noticed you seem to have the same problem.

MOLOKOVWE WISH — NO, MUST MAKE OUR DISGUSTFOR THIS ABUSE PERFECTLY CLEAR!WE’RE HERE FOR CHESS — ARE THE U.S.?IF SO, WHY FOUL THE ATMOSPHERE?

FLORENCEI MUST PROTEST — OUR DELEGATIONHAS A HOST OF VALID POINTS TO RAISE.

ARBITERIT’S NOT JUST BLACK AND WHITE— IF I MAY COIN A PHRASE — AS ANY NEUTRAL WOULD ATTEST!

FLORENCE(To ANATOLY )

THOUGH WE CONCEDETHE FACT YOUR MASTERS BEND THE RULES IS MAYBE NOT YOUR FAULT!IF THEY WITHDRAW THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSAULT,THEN UNDER PROTEST HE’LL PROCEED!

MOLOKOVIF YOUR MAN’S SO SWEET,THEN WHY HIS FIGHTING TALK?IF HE SAYS WE CHEAT,THEN WHY ON EARTH DID HE GO TAKE A WALK?

FLORENCEI AM NOT SURPRISED HE WANTED FRESHER AIRONCE HE REALIZED THERE WAS NO HOPEOF YOUR GUYS PLAYING FAIR!

FLORENCE MOLOKOVHOW SAD IT’S VERY SAD TO SEE TO SEE THE ANCIENTWHAT USED AND DISTINGUISHED GAMETO BE THAT USED TO BE



I – 4 – 23

FLORENCE & MOLOKOVA MODEL OF DECORUM AND TRANQUILITYBECOME LIKE ANY OTHER SPORT — A BATTLEGROUND FOR RIVAL IDEOLOGIESTO SLUG IT OUT WITH GLEE!

ANATOLYI WOULD SAYWITH REGARD TO HIM,IT IS HARD TO REBUTEVER-GROWINGSUSPICIONSMY OPPOSITION’S A NUT.

FLORENCEI WOULD HAVE SAID

YOU’D UNDERSTAND THE STRAIN AND PRESSUREGETTING WHERE HE’S GOT,FOR THEN YOU’D SIMPLY CALL HIM HIGHLY STRUNG AND NOTIMPLY THAT HE WAS OFF HIS HEAD!

ANATOLYBUT HOW ON EARTH CAN SOMEONE EVENHALF AS CIVILIZED AND NICE AS YOUBE PART OF SUCH A SELF-DESTRUCTIVEPOINT OF VIEW?I HOPE HE PAYS YOUWHAT YOU’RE WORTH!

ARBITERI CALL THIS TUNE:“NO ONE’S IMMUNE TO MY POWERONCE IN THAT HALL!”

MOLOKOVIN THAT CASEI MUST ASK YOUWHY YOU NOWPRESIDE OVER A BRAWL!

FLORENCEI’M NOT GETTING RICH!MY ONLY INTERESTIS IN SOMETHING WHICHGIVES ME A CHANCE



I – 4 – 24

OF WORKING WITH THE BEST!

ANATOLYI CAN ONLY SAY,I HOPE YOUR DREAM COMES TRUE,

TILL THAT FAR-OFF DAY,I HOPE YOU COPEWITH HELPING NUMBER TWO!

FLORENCE & ANATOLY MOLOKOV & ARBITERHOW IT’S VERY SAD SAD TO SEE THE ANCIENTTO AND DISTINGUISHED GAMESEE THAT USED TO BE

ALL

A MODEL OF DECORUM AND TRANQUILITYBECOME LIKE ANY OTHER SPORT — A BATTLEGROUND FOR RIVAL IDEOLOGIESTO SLUG IT OUT WITH GLEE!

FLORENCE ARBITER ANATOLY MOLOKOVIT IS VERY IT’S SO SAD TO SAD HOW SADSAD TO

SEE SEE A GAME IT IS VERY TO SEETHAT SAD TO

SAD TO SEE A REALLY SEE A DIS-SHOULD

GAME THAT BE THIS DIS- TINGUISHEDONCE USED TINGUISHEDTO AND

BE A MODEL LIKE A MODEL OLD GAME GAME THATOF DE- THAT

OF CALM AND CORUM USED TO, ALWAYSTRAN- THAT

QUILITY BECOME USED TO BE USED TO BETRAN-

SAD WHEN IT JUST LIKE ANY QUILITY LIKE ABE- OTHER

COMES LIKE SPORT A HAS BECOME MODELANY BATTLE-

GROUNDFOR

OTHER SPORT RIVAL IDE- BATTLE- OF DE-GROUND



I – 4 – 25

JUST A OLOGIES TO SLUG IT OUT CORUMBATTLE- SLUG WITH GLEE

GROUND, A SLUG IT OUT ANY OTHER AND OFBATTLE- SPORT

GROUND FOR SLUG IT OUT LIKE A PURE TRAN-

IDE- BATTLE-GROUNDOLOGIES IT IS VERY SAD TO SEE QUILITY

IT’S VERY SAD SAD SO SAD SO IT IS VERYTO SEE THE TO SEE SAD SAD TO SEEANCIENT THE

AND DISTIN- IT’S A TO OLD DISTIN-GUISHED GUISHEDGAME GAMETHAT THAT

USED TO BE A BATTLE- SEE A USED TO BEGROUNDFOR

MODEL OF RIVAL IDE- MODEL OF MODEL OFDECORUM DECORUM TRAN-

AND OLOGIES AND QUILITYTRANQUILITY TRANQUILITYBE-

COME LIKE IT BECOMES JUST LIKE WHEN IT BE-ANY ANYOTHER OTHER

SPORT A BATTLE- SPORT HOW COMES AGROUD SAD BATTLE-FOR

LIKE A IDEOLOGIES TO SEE GROUND THEN ITBATTLE- A BATTLE- HOW THE IS VERYGROUND GROUND GAMEFOR RIVAL THAT

IDEOLOGIES IT’S VERY SAD USED TO BE SAD, IT’S VERY SAD

IT’S VERY SAD TO SEE A TRANQUILITY WHEN THISGAME ANCIENT

GAME BE-SO SAD TO SEE A BATTLE- A BATTLE- COMES A

GROUND GROUND BATTLE-GROUND

ALLA PLACE TO SLUG IT OUT WITH GLEE!



I – 4 – 26

ARBITERMr. Sergievsky, you wouldn’t by any chance consider abstaining from yogurt—

MOLOKOVAre you suggesting — ?

ARBITERI’m not suggesting anything— except that we continue on with this match.

ANATOLYI will be in my room — packing.

(Turns to FLORENCE, shakes his head )Such a waste.

( He leaves. The ARBITER turns to MOLOKOV )

ARBITERPeople have invested millions of dollars in us, Mr. Molokov. In chess.

MOLOKOVThis is not my problem —

ARBITERIt sure as hell is!

(turns to FLORENCE )So what do you suggest we do? Let selfishness dictate to us? Not while I’m the Arbiter of thismatch!

(beat )This is the message I want you to get across. Tomorrow morning, I expect to see two smiling players at the table.

(he starts to leave, then stops.)I’ll amend that. I don’t give a shit if they’re smiling. I don’t care if they’re bleeding — two warm bodies are what’s required! That’s all!

( He exits. MOLOKOV and FLORENCE alone. Pause)

MOLOKOV(Shakes his head, laughs)

Yogurt…it would be funny if it weren’t so serious. (beat )

It is serious?

FLORENCEI can’t imagine Freddie playing without an apology.



I – 4 – 27

MOLOKOVWhy can’t this just be chess?

FLORENCEYou of all people have the nerve to ask that?

MOLOKOVMe? I’m a chess second.

FLORENCEOh, right — Don’t you think we know who you work for, Mr. Molokov? The State Department briefed us before we came here.

MOLOKOVThis still does not mean I am not in love with the game of chess.

FLORENCEI’ll bet you love all kinds of games.

MOLOKOVFlorence Vassy. Left Hungary 1956 as a child. Mother dead, Father lost, presumed dead.Brought up in America.We have been briefed about you as well.

(beat )Miss Vassy, 1956 was a long time ago —

FLORENCEYeah? I still feel everything.

( short pause)

MOLOKOVTrumper leaves, what does that get him? He won’t get a second chance.

FLORENCEFreddie walks now, he says he caught the commie cheating. Who won’t believe him? He’ll be ahero — I suspect he could run for office. What does your guy take back home?

MOLOKOVMust this meeting be in public?

FLORENCEThe apology.

MOLOKOVThe discussion.



I – 4 – 28

( FLORENCE considers this)

FLORENCEI see no need for more publicity.

MOLOKOV(Quickly)I suggest our hotel room, then.

FLORENCE(laughing )

Oh, very funny!

MOLOKOVI know a very private restaurant.

FLORENCEYeah, I know restaurants as well.

MOLOKOVLet us choose at random, then. I have a Bangkok food guide.

( He takes it out of his pocket )

FLORENCEI have the very same one —

(She takes hers out of her purse)We’ll use mine.

MOLOKOVThey’re the same.

FLORENCESo there’s no problem with using mine.

(beat )

MOLOKOVI open, you point.

FLORENCEAgreed.

( He opens. She points, but before they look:)



I – 4 – 29

MOLOKOVLet’s make it the third below the one you’ve touched.

BOTHThe second!

(beat )

FLORENCE MOLOKOVOkay. Agreed.

MOLOKOV( Reads)

“The Haiku”.

FLORENCE

I hope you like sushi.End of Scene



I – 5 – 30

Scene 5

( FREDDIE’s suite. WALTER is on the phone)

WALTER

(into phone)A lot of nerve those guys have; yogurt, think of it! Nothing’s sacred. Freddie’s completelydisillusioned — he came here to play chess!

FLORENCE(entering from the hall )

Where’s Freddie?

WALTERShh!

(into phone)

R ight. I think that’s the point— if you can’t trust the Russians over chess — over a game — howthe hell are you gonna trust them with, say, an arms control deal? I mean, that’s basic commonsense right there. But then what do I know?

FLORENCE(very frustrated )

Where is he?

WALTER(covering the speaker )

Shut up.

( FLORENCE backs off, but as WALTER returns to the phone she moves to

the telephone and innocently leans down on the buttons, disconnecting the

call )

WALTER(into the phone)

I mean it, what do I know. I used to be a liberal myself, but that was back in the Sixties — (the call is disconnected. yells)

What the hell are you doing — that was the L.A. Times!

FLORENCEWhere did he go?

WALTER( starting to dial again)

It took me twenty minutes to make that connection!



I – 5 – 31

FLORENCEGod dammit, Walter, just tell me!

WALTERHow the hell should I know where Freddie is? You’re the nursemaid. Maybe he got tired of

being treated like he didn’t know anything— FLORENCE

Who are you?

WALTERWhat?

FLORENCEWhat do you really want with Freddie?

WALTERI want him to be rich. To recognize his potential. Chess games come and chess games go, Flo, but money —

FLORENCEWhy do I not believe this?

(beat )What he did today was not his style.

WALTERWalking out of a chess match is not Freddie Trumper’s style?

(laughs; FLORENCE gives him a look )You’re not suggesting I had anything to do with today?

FLORENCEYou follow the slime, you find the slug.

( FREDDIE enters, holding brochures)

FREDDIEHey — wouldn’t want to go home without seeing some of the sights.

(reads)Patpong Palace. Girls Girls Girls. Ever been there, Walter?

WALTERThat’s not something you confess in front of a lady.

FLORENCEGet out of here.



I – 5 – 32

FREDDIEYou want to come, Florence? Could be a real education.

(beat )Walter.

(nods toward the door )

WALTER(to FLORENCE as he leaves)

See. He’s the boss. I’ll be in my room.

( He exits. A brief, tense pause.)

FLORENCEThis was the first time that you ever did something like that without talking it over with me.

FREDDIE

What if I said I did it spontaneously?FLORENCE

To that I’d say— Only bad chess players move spontaneously, and that’s one thing you’re not!

FREDDIEI think making the point about Russians cheating is worthwhile in itself.

FLORENCESince when?!

(She hands him a piece of paper )Here, we’re meeting Sergievsky at this restaurant at ten o’clock.

FREDDIEAnd he’ll apologize?

FLORENCE He’ll meet us. That’s enough.

FREDDIE Not for me!

FLORENCEThis is not the Freddie Trumper who lived just to play chess!

FREDDIE(turns on her, speaking over part of her line)

Who was happy in ten-dollar shirts and playing chess games for the thrill of it? You’re right.(beat )

Look, I want to fulfill my potential.



I – 5 – 33

FLORENCE(disgusted )

I wonder where you got that from.

FREDDIEFlorence, he wants to help me!

FLORENCEFreddie, grow up!

FREDDIEYou work for me!

(MUSIC #11: “The American and Florence”)

FLORENCE( sings out in anger )YOU WANT TO LOSE YOUR ONLY FRIEND?WELL, KEEP IT UP —YOU’RE DOING FINE! WHY THIS HUMILIATION?WHY TREAT ME LIKE A FOOL?I’VE TAKEN SHIT FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND I WON’T TAKE IT ANY MORE!

FREDDIEI’M ONLY TEASING SOVIETS WITH GENTLE BONHOMIE — AND YOU’VE A BETTER REASON TO BE ANTI-THEMTHAN ME!

FLORENCETHERE’S A TIME AND THERE’S A PLACE!

FREDDIEWell, how about here and now? Are you for me or for them?

FLORENCETHERE’S A TIME AND THERE’S A PLACE!

FREDDIE1956: BUDAPEST IS RISING.1956: BUDAPEST IS FIGHTING.1956: BUDAPEST IS FALLING.

I’D HAVE THOUGHT YOU’D SUPPORT



I – 5 – 34

ANY ATTACK ON THESE PEOPLE!ON THE PEOPLE WHO RANMINDLESSLY OVER YOUR CHILDHOOD!DON’T LET THEM FOOL YOU— FORTHIRTY YEARS ON THEY’RE THE SAME!

FLORENCE1956: BUDAPEST IS FIGHTING.1956: BUDAPEST IS DYING…

FREDDIETHEY SEE CHESS AS A WAR — PLAYING WITH PAWNS JUST LIKE POLAND!IF YOU WALK OUT ON ME,YOU’RE REALLY BETRAYING YOUR FATHER— WERE HE ALIVE NOW,

HE’D SURELY BE DYING OF SHAME! FLORENCE

YOU KNOW THAT THERE’S NOTHING I’VE DONETHAT HE’D BE ASHAMED OF IN MY WHOLE LIFE! WHY’D YOU HAVE TO DO THIS TO ME?

( FREDDIE storms out. FLORENCE is left alone.)

(MUSIC #12: “Someone Else’s Story”)

FLORENCELONG AGO,IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFETIME, SOMEONE WITH MY NAME,WHO LOOKED A LOT LIKE ME,CAME TO KNOWA MAN AND MADE A PROMISE — HE ONLY HAD TO SAY,AND THAT’S WHERE SHE WOULD BE. LATELY,ALTHOUGH THE FEELINGS RUN JUST AS DEEP,THE PROMISE SHE MADE HAS GROWN IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP,AND YET, I WISH IT WASN’T SO.WILL HE MISS ME IF I GO?

IN A WAY,IT’S SOMEONE ELSE’S STORY. I DON’T SEE MYSELF AS TAKING PART AT ALL.



I – 5 – 35

YESTERDAY,A GIRL THAT I WAS FOND OFFINALLY COULD SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL.SADLY,SHE REALIZED SHE’D LEFT HIM BEHIND,

AND SADDER THAN THAT, SHE KNEW HE WOULDN’T EVEN MIND.AND THOUGH THERE’S NOTHING LEFT TO SAY, WOULD HE LISTEN IF I STAY?

IT’S ALL VERY WELL TO SAY “YOU FOOL—IT’S NOW OR NEVER!” I COULD BE CHOOSING NO CHOICES WHATSOEVER…

I COULD BEIN SOMEONE ELSE’S STORY IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE

AND HE COULD BE IN MINE!I DON’T SEE A REASON TO BE LONELY — I COULD TAKE MY CHANCESFURTHER DOWN THE LINE.AND IF THAT GIRL I KNEW SHOULD ASK MY ADVICE,OH, I WOULDN’T HESISTATE, SHE NEEDN’T ASK ME TWICE— “GO NOW!” I’D TELL HER THAT FOR FREE. TROUBLE IS, THE GIRL IS ME.THE STORY IS, THE GIRL IS ME.

End of Scene



I – 6 – 36

Scene 6

(The Haiku Restaurant. MOLOKOV is seated at a table while ANATOLY

paces the restaurant impatiently. He walks to another table, and sees a RUSSIAN MAN seated, eating inconspicuously. ANATOLY smiles and

moves back to MOLOKOV. Finally:)ANATOLY

This is ridiculous — how long must we wait for this apology?

MOLOKOVWe must be patient, Anatoly — they will come, and then we can get on with —

ANATOLYWith what? You have yet another petty bureaucrat for me to play against this evening?

MOLOKOVThose ‘petty bureaucrats’ give you the chance to play!

ANATOLYThey give me nothing.

MOLOKOVCareful what you say, Anatoly — especially in a public place.

( FLORENCE enters. MOLOKOV sees her )Here they are.

( FLORENCE sees them and moves to the table, pretending to be surprised.)

FLORENCEOh, hello! What a surprise — we must have the same Good Food Guide.

MOLOKOVOf course you know —

FLORENCEYes, hello.

MOLOKOV(to ANATOLY )

Do you mind if she joins us?

FLORENCEOh, I wouldn’t want to intrude—



I – 6 – 37

ANATOLYWhere’s Trumper?

(beat )Molokov told me why we’re here.

FLORENCEI…don’t know where he is.

MOLOKOVWhy not?

FLORENCEHe’s probably out with his agent.

MOLOKOVWalter Anderson. Yes, yes, I know him.

FLORENCEHow do you know him?

MOLOKOVOur paths keep crossing.

ANATOLY(to FLORENCE )

I told Molokov he wouldn’t apologize.

FLORENCEFreddie? He was going to apologize to you?

MOLOKOVMaybe I can trace him. I shall need to make a call or two — if you would excuse me.

( He exits)

FLORENCE(as MOLOKOV exits)

How can you — ?(beat. To ANATOLY )

Do you have someone following Freddie?

ANATOLY I don’t.

(beat )Don’t you have someone who follows me?



I – 6 – 38

FLORENCE( shocked )

What — no, of cour se not! You don’t think I’m—

ANATOLY

No, of course not. (beat )Watch.

( He calls to the MAN at the other table, in Russian: “How’s the fish?”)Cock REE-bah?

RUSSIAN MAN(in Russian: “Excellent”)

Ot-LEECH-nai-yah.

FLORENCE

He’s with you? ANATOLY

( shrugs)I guess so.

FLORENCEThen why is he sitting — ?

( she stops herself )

ANATOLYYou cannot always choose —

BOTHWho you work for.

FLORENCEYes, well, I can.

ANATOLYAh, so, you’re leaving Trumper?

FLORENCEI didn’t say that. I shouldn’t have said anything.

ANATOLYYou know, someone like you — You could do better.

FLORENCEWhat do you mean —“someone like you”? How do you know what I’m like?



I – 6 – 39

(beat )I’m sorry. Let’s not argue.

ANATOLYI don’t want that.

FLORENCE Neither do I.

(awkward pause)So…are you married?

ANATOLYIn a manner of speaking.

FLORENCEOh, I see.

ANATOLYI doubt that you do —

FLORENCE(quickly)

Oh, no —I didn’t mean to suggest—

ANATOLY(teasing )

I thought you said we weren’t going to argue.

FLORENCEThat’s true.

(laughs)So —we won’t argue.

(the MAN from the other table calls to ANATOLY )

RUSSIAN MAN(in Russian: “ Anatoly —where’s the bathroom?”)

FLORENCEWhat — what did he say?

ANATOLYHe said you have very beautiful eyes.



I – 6 – 40

FLORENCEHe said that?

(blushes)He —he can’t even see my eyes.

RUSSIAN MAN(repeats, in Russian: “Anatoly, where’s the bathroom?”)

ANATOLY( Awkwardly points him to it )

It’s that way.

(The MAN exits. FLORENCE looks at ANATOLY with a knowing

expression)

FLORENCE

He, uh, asked for directions to the restroom?( A sheepish grin escapes from ANATOLY’s face, and they both burst out

laughing. They stare at each other for some time, then FLORENCE stands

up hurriedly)

FLORENCEI’ll, uh, see if Freddie’s coming.

(MUSIC #13: “Terrace Duet”).

(She goes out onto the terrace. On opposite sides of the stage, they are lostin their own worlds)

FLORENCETHIS IS THE ONE SITUATIONI WANTED MOST TO AVOID… NOTHING I SAY WILL CONVINCE HIM THIS ISN’T A TRICK!

ANATOLYA DRINK ON A CLEAR MOONLIT NIGHT — I RELAX, SHE SMILES — THERE’S SOMETHING PECULIAR GOING ON…

FLORENCESO THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN,I’M IN IT WAY OVER MY HEAD — EMBARRASSED, OUTNUMBERED, MAROONED.



I – 6 – 41

ANATOLY NOW SHE CAN’T BE WORKING FOR THEM— I MEAN, US.SHE SEEMS TO K NOW WHAT SHE’S DOING— BUT WHERE IS HE?

FLORENCEHE HAS TO SHOW UP — IT CAN’T COME TO NOTHING— PERHAPS IT CAN…

ANATOLYMAYBE HE’S SCARED— BUT HE DIDN’T SEEM SCARED IN THE GAME!

FLORENCE

OH, I JUST COULDN’T CARE LESS! HE CAN GO RIGHT AHEAD,GO AND WRECK HIS CAREER — I KNOW I’VE DONE MY BEST!

ANATOLYWELL, AT LEAST SHE’S A GOOD-LOOKING SPY…

FLORENCEWHAT IF MY RUSSIAN FRIEND THINKSTHAT MY PLANS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CHESS — IF I DON’T SAY SOMETHING AND SOON,HE’LL GO—MAYBE I’M ON NOBODY’S SIDE!

ANATOLY( for the first time addressing FLORENCE )

LISTEN, I HATE TO BREAK UP THE MOOD — HOW DO YOU SAY, BEGIN THE BEGUINE!HAVEN’T YOU NOTICED WE’RE STILL ONE CHARACTER SHORTIN THIS IDYLLIC, WELL-PRODUCED SCENE?

FLORENCEHOW COULD I NOT, MISS VASSY REGRETS — ANYTHING GOES WITH YOUR OPPONENT.

ANATOLY NEVER MIND HIM —I HAVEN’T MISSED HIM SO FAR!

(lightheartedly)MAYBE IT WON’T DO ANY HARM



I – 6 – 42

TO STRUGGLE ON WITHOUT HIS CHARM!(more seriously)

FUNNY HOW ALL AT ONCE I FEEL NOTHING ABOUT THAT MEETING MATTERS ANYMORE!

FLORENCETHIS IS THE ONE SITUATIONI WANTED MOST TO AVOID…

ANATOLYMY DEAR OPPONENT — I REALLY CAN’T IMAGINE WHY.

FLORENCEYOU’LL THINK I’M THE DANGEROUS KIND— WELL, I AM!

ANATOLYYOU, YOU’RE NOT DANGEROUS— WHO COULD THINK THAT OF YOU?

FLORENCEYOU — YOU ARE SO STRANGE — WHY CAN’T YOU BE WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE?

BOTHYOU SHOULD BE SCHEMING, INTRIGUING, TOO CLEVER BY HALF!

ANATOLYI HAVE TO HAND IT TO YOU — FOR YOU’VE MANAGED TO MAKE ME FORGET WHY I EVER AGREED TO THIS FARCE.

BOTHI DON’T KNOW WHY I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING I WOULD RATHER DO, THAN BE WASTING MY TIME WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU!

(they kiss.)

FLORENCEThis is insane.

ANATOLYYes. It is.

(they kiss a second time. FREDDIE enters with WALTER)



I – 6 – 43

FREDDIEWHO’D EVER THINK IT? SUCH A VERY PRETTY SETTING — TELL ME, WHAT’S THE BETTING,

VERY PRETTY PLOTTING, TOO? NO MATTER —I’VE DONE ALL YOUR WORK FOR YOU! (to FLORENCE )

I asked you before — are you for me or for them? I think I know the answer.WHO’D EVER GUESS IT?DAUGHTER IN COLLABORATIONWITH THE VERY NATIONGAVE HER FATHER THIRD DEGREE!WHERE’S DADDY? DEAD OR IN THE K.G.B.!

( MOLOKOV enters and moves to ANATOLY )

ANATOLYLeave her alone, Trumper.

MOLOKOVI will handle this.

ANATOLY( pushing him away)

No — Trumper, I understand you came here to accept my apology.

MOLOKOVYour apology?

ANATOLYIn only a few minutes, Miss Vassy has made me realize how wrong I have been. What mistakes Ihave made. What I must change.

FREDDIEForget it, Red . I don’t need anything from you now. Walter was just telling me a group of fans phoned up and offered me another hundred grand to keep playing.

WALTERPeople love his style.

FREDDIETell them I accept. For a hundred grand, I guess I can sit there and hold my nose.

MOLOKOVWonderful, we’ve made up.



I – 6 – 44

WALTER(moves to FREDDIE )

C’mon, Freddie, we won this round. You wanted groveling, you got groveling.

FREDDIE

(to FLORENCE )Hey — you coming?

ANATOLYWe could take you —

FLORENCE(moving away from the two of them)

No — both of you, go. You need your rest.

End of Scene



I – 7 – 45

Scene 7

(The streets of Bangkok. The ARBITER stands and makes an

announcement )

(MUSIC #14: “One Night in Bangkok”) ARBITER

It seems the players have resolved their differences, so we resume play to the score of one pointto zero in the favor of the challenger, Mr. Freddie Trumper.

( Bangkok nightlife sparks to life: dancers, entertainers, and citizens crowd

the stage, and soon FREDDIE pops out among them, drink in hand,

enjoying the sights of the town.)

FREDDIE

BANGKOK! ORIENTAL SETTING,AND THE CITY DON’T KNOW WHAT THE CITY IS GETTING— THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME OF THE CHESS WORLD IN ASHOW WITH EVERYTHING BUT YUL BRYNNER.

BANGKOK — JUST ANOTHER STOP INTHE CHESS WORLD CIRCUS — MASTERS DROP IN,PLAY, CHECKMATE, CHECK OUT AND THEN YOUMOVE ON TO ANOTHER VENUE.

LIKE ICELAND — OR THE PHILIPPINES — OR HASTINGS — OR — OR THIS PLACE!

CHORUSONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK, AND THE WORLD’S YOUR OYSTER! THE BARS ARE TEMPLES, BUT THE PEARLS AIN’T FREE! YOU’LL FIND A GOD IN EVERY GOLDEN CLOISTER— AND IF YOU’RE LUCKY, THEN THE GOD’S A SHE! I CAN FEEL AN ANGEL SLIDING UP TO ME!

FREDDIEONE TOWN’S VERY LIKE ANOTHER WHEN YOUR HEAD’S DOWN OVER YOUR PIECES, BROTHER!

CHORUSIT’S A DRAG, IT’S A BORE, IT’S REALLY SUCH A PITYTO BE LOOKING AT THE BOARD, NOT LOOKING AT THE CITY!

FREDDIEWHADDYA MEAN? YOU’VE SEEN ONE CROWDED,



I – 7 – 46

POLLUTED, STINKING TOWN —

CHORUSTEA, GIRLS — WARM AND SWEET (WARM, SWEET) — SOME ARE SET UP IN THE SOMERSET MAUGHAN SUITE!

FREDDIEGET ‘THAI’D’! YOU’RE TALKING TO A TOURIST WHOSE EVERY MOVE’S AMONG THE PUREST!

I GET MY KICKS ABOVE THE WAISTLINE, SUNSHINE!

CHORUSONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK MAKES A HARD MAN HUMBLE! NOT MUCH BETWEEN DESPAIR AND ECSTASY.ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK AND THE TOUGH GUYS TUMBLE!

CAN’T BE TOO CAREFUL WITH YOUR COMPANY. I CAN FEEL THE DEVIL WALKING NEXT TO ME…

(the ARBITER makes another announcement )

ARBITERFreddie Trumper resigns the game — Mr. Sergievsky ties the tournament one point to one.

( FREDDIE continues to enjoy himself in the Bangkok nightlife)

FREDDIESIAM’S GONNA BE THE WITNESS TO THE ULTIMATE TEST OF CEREBRAL FITNESS!THIS GRIPS ME MORE THAN WOULD AMUDDY OLD RIVER OR RECLINING BUDDAH!

I DON’T SEE YOU GUYS RATING THE KIND OF MATE I’M CONTEMPLATING — I’D LET YOU WATCH, I WOULD INVITE YOU, BUT THE QUEENS WE USE WOULD NOT EXCITE YOU!

SO YOU BETTER GO BACK TO YOUR BARS, YOUR TEMPLES — YOUR MASSAGE PARLOURS…

CHORUSONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK MAKES A HARD MAN HUMBLE! NOT MUCH BETWEEN DESPAIR AND ECSTASY.

(The ARBITER makes another announcement.)



I – 7 – 47

ARBITERFreddie Trumper fails to show up for a scheduled match, so the third game is forfeited. Mr.Sergievsky now leads two points to one.

( FREDDIE and the dancers continue in full swing )

FREDDIE AND CHORUSONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK, AND THE WORLD’S YOUR OYSTER! THE BARS ARE TEMPLES, BUT THE PEARLS AIN’T FREE! YOU’LL FIND A GOD IN EVERY GOLDEN CLOISTER— A LITTLE FLESH, A LITTLE HISTORY!I CAN FEEL AN ANGEL SLIDING UP TO ME!

(in the midst of things, WALTER pulls FREDDIE away from the crowd.)

CHORUS

ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK MAKES A HARD MAN HUMBLE! NOT MUCH BETWEEN DESPAIR AND ECSTASY.ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK AND THE TOUGH GUYS TUMBLE!CAN’T BE TOO CAREFUL WITH YOUR COMPANY. I CAN FEEL THE DEVIL WALKING NEXT TO ME!

(WALTER exits with FREDDIE in tow)

End of Scene



I – 8 – 48

Scene 8

(The arena. The ARBITER enters the empty arena and makes an

announcement )

(MUSIC #15: “Story of Chess (Reprise)”) ARBITER

EACH GAME OF CHESS MEANS THERE’S ONE LESS VARIATION LEFT TO BE PLAYED.EACH DAY GOT THROUGH MEANS ONE OR TWOLESS MISTAKES REMAIN TO BE MADE.

Mr. Sergievsky and Mr. Trumper will resume play this afternoon in the Grand Ballroom of theBangkok Hilton.

I CALL THIS TUNE: “NO ONE’S IMMUNE TO MY POWER ONCE IN THAT HALL!”

(MUSIC #16: “Chess No. 2 (Instrumental)”)

( FREDDIE and ANATOLY, seated at the chessboard, resume play. Play is

heated and tense, and finally FREDDIE concedes defeat. ANATOLY stands as the spectators applaud.)

ARBITERMr. Sergievsky now leads three points to one. We adjourn until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning,when we resume with the final game of the Bangkok portion of the World Chess Championship.

(Various friends congratulate ANATOLY in Russian, pat his back, etc. FREDDIE remains seated at the board dejected. The crowd in the arena

filters out, leaving only FLORENCE. She slowly moves to FREDDIE.)

FLORENCE(Trying to be friendly.)

That was a pretty foolish move you made in that game, Mr. Trumper.(beat )

But we can all make foolish moves at times.

(MUSIC #17: “Florence Quits”)

FREDDIESO YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANT — WHAT A NASTY AMBITION!SET ME UP, PULL ME DOWN,THEN EXPLOIT MY CONDITION!

I SHOULD HAVE GUESSED, WOMAN,



I – 8 – 49

THAT IF PRESSED, WOMAN,YOU’RE ON NOBODY’S SIDE BUT YOUR OWN, AND YOU’RE BEHAVING LIKE A MERE WOMAN!IT’S SO CLEAR, WOMAN—

IT’S YOUR SEX! ONCE THEY START GETTING OLDAND GETTING WORRIED — THEY LET FLY, TAKE IT OUTON THE ONE WHO SUPPORTS THEM — THAT’S YOU I’M TALKING ABOUT!

FLORENCEWHO’D EVER GUESS IT?SUCH A SQUALID LITTLE ENDING:WATCHING YOU DESCENDING

JUST AS FAR AS YOU CAN GO — I’M LEARNING THINGS I DIDN’T WANT TO KNOW!

FREDDIEWHO’D EVER THINK IT?THIS WOULD BE THE SITUATION — ONE MORE OBSERVATION — HOW’D WE EVER GET THIS FAR BEFORE YOU SHOWED ME WHAT YOU REALLY ARE?

FLORENCEYOU’LL BE LOST WITHOUT ME TO ABUSE LIKE YOU’RE USED TO!

FREDDIEGO AWAY! JUST GET OUT!BE SOMEONE ELSE’S PARASITE!

I’M NOT THE KIND TO BE VINDICTIVE— HOLDING SOME CHILDISH GRUDGE.HOW COULD I BE? I’M IN THE SPOTLIGHT, HALF OF THE WORLD MY JUDGE.ALL I DEMAND IS THOSE I WORK FOR — THOSE I GIVE ALL MY SKILLS, ALL MY TIME AND PAIN,THOSE THAT I ENTERTAIN,GIVE ME THE SAME COMPASSION IN RETURN.BUT YOUR KIND NEVER LEARN!

( He exits.)



I – 8 – 50

(MUSIC #18: “Nobody’s Side”)

FLORENCEWHAT’S GOING ON AROUND ME IS BARELY MAKING SENSE —

I NEED SOME EXPLANATIONS FAST.I SEE MY PRESENT PARTNERIN THE IMPERFECT TENSE — AND I DON’T SEE HOW WE CAN LAST. I FEEL I NEED A CHANGE OF CAST — MAYBE I’M ON NOBODY’S SIDE!

AND WHEN HE GIVES ME REASONSTO JUSTIFY EACH MOVE — THEY’RE GETTING HARDER TO BELIEVE. I KNOW THIS CAN’T CONTINUE,

I’VE STILL A LOT TO PROVE. THERE MUST BE MORE I COULD ACHIEVE — BUT I DON’T HAVE THE NERVE TO LEAVE!

FLORENCE & CHORUSEVERYBODY’S PLAYING THE GAME, BUT NOBODY’S RULES ARE THE SAME! NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE! BETTER LEARN TO GO IT ALONE — RECOGNIZE YOU’RE OUT ON YOUR OWN! NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE!

FLORENCETHE ONE I SHOULD NOT THINK OFKEEPS ROLLING THROUGH MY MIND.AND I DON’T WANT TO LET THAT GO. NO LOVER’S EVER FAITHFUL, NO CONTRACT TRULY SIGNED.THERE’S NOTHING CERTAIN LEFT TO KNOW— AND HOW THE CRACKS BEGIN TO SHOW!

FLORENCE & CHORUS NEVER MAKE A PROMISE OR PLAN — TAKE A LITTLE LOVE WHERE YOU CAN! NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE! NEVER STAY TOO LONG IN YOUR BED, NEVER LOSE YOUR HEART, USE YOUR HEAD! NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE!



I – 8 – 51

FLORENCE NEVER TAKE A STRANGER’S ADVICE! NEVER LET A FRIEND FOOL YOU TWICE!

FLORENCE & CHORUS

NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE! EVERYBODY’S PLAYING THE GAME, BUT NOBODY’S RULES ARE THE SAME! NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE!

NEVER LEAVE A MOMENT TOO SOON! NEVER WASTE A HOT AFTERNOON! NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE! NEVER STAY A MINUTE TOO LONG — DON’T FORGET THE BEST WILL GO WRONG! NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE!

BETTER LEARN TO GO IT ALONE,RECOGNIZE YOU’RE OUT ON YOUR OWN— NOBODY’S ON NOBODY’S SIDE!

End of Scene



I – 9 – 52

Scene 9

(MUSIC #19: “Defection (Instrumental)”)

(Underground parking square below the arena. WALTER stands, waiting.

JOE enters, WALTER hurries out. JOE scouts the area and whistles for someone else to follow. Echoed footsteps and then another man, HAROLD, carrying a suitcase, enters with FLORENCE. JOE starts to

leave with the luggage.)

FLORENCEYou going to take my luggage with you? My whole life’s in there.

( sudden realization)God, that says something about me, doesn’t it.

( JOE exits. To HAROLD)What is this all about?

(WALTER enters hurriedly, with letters in hand )

WALTER(To HAROLD)

Took you long enough.

HARLDJoe said —

WALTERI ran into him on the stairs. I’ll handle it.

( HAROLD exits)

FLORENCEI might have known you’d have something to do with this.

WALTERLucky for us your plane was delayed. You could have been on your way home.

FLORENCEWho are you, Mr. Anderson? What do you want with me?

WALTERYou just missed the Bangkok closing ceremonies.

( shuffles through letters, hands one to FLORENCE )This was addressed to me; this was addressed to you.



I – 9 – 53

FLORENCEAnd you opened it.

WALTERYour friend should be happy I did.

( she reads)Anatoly played a beautiful game today. Seemed…inspired. Poor Freddie—it’s four to one now. (beat )

Surprised?

(She is stunned. In the background, there is the sound of another car,

lights, etc. WALTER looks in that direction.)

FLORENCEI guess I am.

WALTERYou had no idea?

FLORENCE No.

(beat )I want to be with him.

WALTERThis will soon be arranged.

FLORENCEWhen does it happen?

WALTERTonight.

( A REPORTER enters. WALTER stops talking and steps out of sight. The REPORTER notices FLORENCE and hangs back.)

REPORTERExcuse me, aren’t you with Mr. Trumper?

FLORENCEI’ve been his second.

REPORTERCouple of questions?



I – 9 – 54

WALTER( protecting her )

What do you want?

REPORTER

Associated Press. I just came from the airport, and there’s a rumour there that AnatolySergievsky’s about to defect—

(in an instant WALTER pushes him to the floor )

WALTERListen don’t you say that to anyone! You understand? Do you understand?!

( REPORTER nods)We’re talking about a man’s life here.

( A car light sweeps the stage. WALTER moves to push FLORENCE away)

WALTERGet out of the light — get out of the light!

( A few AMERICANS hurry in and rush across the garage.)

CIA MAN(as lights sweep across)

What the hell’s going on here— ?

WALTER( speaking over him)

It’s us —it’s us!

(Suddenly ANATOLY, surrounded by AMERICANS who are protectinghim, is rushed across the garage.)

FLORENCEAnatoly!

ANATOLYFlorence!

(they embrace. WALTER moves to them quickly)

WALTERCome on. I said, come on!

( In a frenzy they all exit. REPORTER runs off in other direction. Suddenly NIKOLAI and other RUSSIANS, followed by MOLOKOV, run in)



I – 9 – 55

NIKOLAIStop! Stop — Sergievsky!

(beat, he turns back to MOLOKOV )They’re gone.

MOLOKOVWalter, you bastard…

(blackout )

End of Scene



I – 10 – 56

Scene 10

( An airport terminal. ANATOLY and FLORENCE sit on separate trunks,

accompanied by WALTER)

ANATOLYWhat’s the delay?

WALTERFive minutes. Relax. I’ll have some food brought in.

( He exits. Pause)

FLORENCEYou don’t have any children, do you?

ANATOLYJust a wife.

FLORENCEOh, just a wife —

ANATOLY No, no — she and I —

FLORENCEDon’t tell me.

ANATOLYThis, it affects nothing.

(beat )It had already gone wrong between us long ago.

FLORENCESo at least I’m not a homewrecker too— I mean, as well as being a traitor to the man I’ve beenworking with for seven years.

ANATOLY Just working with?

FLORENCEThis, it affects nothing.

ANATOLYI am counting on your giving me inside information on his game —while we’re in bed together.



I – 10 – 57

FLORENCEIs that all you think about?

ANATOLYChess?

FLORENCE(laughs)

No.

( HAROLD and JOE enter with a pile of junk food from the vending

machines)

JOEMr. Anderson said you were hungry.

FLORENCEThank you.

HAROLD(to ANATOLY )

Been to America before?

ANATOLY No, no I haven’t.

HAROLDI think you’ll like it. Most people do.

JOEThough if it were up to me, I’d say choose the East, not the West.

( ANATOLY looks at him, astonished.)

HAROLDEast Coast, he means.

JOEOh — right! I’m from New York.

(They start to go)

HAROLDGood luck!

ANATOLYThank you.



I – 10 – 58

(They leave. ANATOLY and FLORENCE are left alone. A pause)

FLORENCEI hope you find America all it’s cracked up to be.

ANATOLYIn the Soviet Union, it’s not cracked up to be all that much.

FLORENCE(laughs)

Yes. I still don’t feel completely at home, and I came there when I was—

ANATOLYFlorence…

( she turns to him)

Please. I am scared enough.( FLORENCE suddenly realizes how frightened he must be.)

FLORENCEAnatoly…

( she hugs him. WALTER enters, followed by REPORTERS )

WALTERLine up there. Hurry, please. Time is short.

FLORENCEYou said this would be private!

WALTER Nothing’s for free.

(he points to one of the REPORTERS yelling questions)You!

REPORTERMr. Sergievsky — why now?

FLORENCEAnatoly —don’t answer—

ANOTHER REPORTERWould you call yourself a political refugee?



I – 10 – 59

ANATOLY No, I am not a refugee —you don’t understand!

ANOTHER REPORTERAnatoly, is this your way of denouncing the Russian government — ?

ANATOLYI denounce nothing! Please understand this — I am not a politician —

FLORENCEAnatoly!

ANATOLYI would like to live in many places of the world. There are things I wish to do. Things I was notfree to —

( A CIA MAN enters)CIA MAN

They’re ready.

( FLORENCE and ANATOLY follow WALTER out, followed by the

REPORTERS, shouting questions)

(MUSIC #20: “Anatoly and the Press”)

REPORTERHOW LONG WAS THIS PLANNED?

REPORTERWHAT MADE YOU DEFECT?

REPORTERDID ANYONE HELP YOU?

REPORTERAND DO YOU EXPECTTO BE JOINED IN YOUR EXILE BY LOVED ONES

REPORTERSUCH AS YOUR WIFE?

REPORTEROR ARE YOU STARTING AGAIN IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE?



I – 10 – 60

ANATOLYYou do not hear what I am saying — I do not leave!

REPORTERDO YOU STILL INTEND TO FINISH THE MATCH,

REPORTEROR HAVE YOU RESIGNED NOW,

REPORTEROR SHOULD WE ATTACH ANY SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCETO YOUR PRETTY NEW FRIEND — AND COULD THIS GREAT DECISION BE A START OR AN END?

( REPORTERS crowd ANATOLY, and finally he flings them away)

ANATOLY( yells)Leave me alone!

(Sudden silence. The REPORTERS back off. ANATOLY moves away fromthem.)

(MUSIC #21: “Anthem”)

ANATOLY NO MAN, NO MADNESS,THOUGH THEIR SAD POWERS MAY PREVAIL,CAN POSSESS, CONQUER MY COUNTRY’S HEART— THEY RISE TO FAIL.

SHE IS ETERNAL,LONG BEFORE NATIONS’ LINES WERE DRAWN — WHEN NO FLAGS FLEW, WHEN NO ARMIES STOOD,MY LAND WAS BORN.

AND YOU ASK ME WHY I LOVE HERTHROUGH WARS, DEATH, AND DESPAIR — SHE IS THE CONSTANT — SHE IS ALWAYS THERE!AND YOU WONDER, WILL I LEAVE HER?BUT HOW?I CROSS OVER BORDERS, BUT I’M STILL THERE NOW!

HOW CAN I LEAVE HER?WHERE WOULD I START?LET MAN’S PETTY NATIONS TEAR THEMSELVES APART—



I – 10 – 61

MY LAND’S ONLY BORDERS LIE AROUND MY HEART!

END OF ACT I



II – 1 – 62

ACT II

Scene 1

( Budapest, eight weeks later. The ARBITER’s voice can be heard )

ARBITERLadies and gentlemen, welcome to the Budapest portion of the 1979 World ChessChampionship. The score now stands — Mr. Anatoly Sergievsky: 4, Mr. Freddie Trumper: 1.

(The chapel of a large Budapest cathedral. FLORENCE and ANATOLY

enter. FLORENCE moves to a Hungarian woman)

FLORENCEExcuse me — what church is this?

(the woman answers in Hungarian)FLORENCE

(to ANATOLY )Honey, ask her for me.

ANATOLYI’m not Hungarian, Florence, I’m Russian, remember? She wouldn’t understand me either. Whyis it so important?

FLORENCEI know this church. I remember it.

(WALTER hurries in, smiling )

WALTERThere you two are — welcome to Budapest! Forgive me for not meeting you myself. How do youlike the hotel, quaint, isn’t it?

FLORENCEOur room is very sweet, thank you.

WALTERAny problems with customs?

FLORENCE No, we went right through.

WALTERI tell you, the world’s awash with peace all of a sudden.



II – 1 – 63

ANATOLYI thought that —

WALTER

What, that someone would walk by and stab you with a poisoned umbrella tip?(he jabs his finger into ANATOLY’s stomach)Look out!

(laughs, puts his arm around ANATOLY )Anatoly, relax —no one’s gonna hurt you here. It’s a free country, remember? Now, forgive meagain, but I’ve promised to have a word with some people from State . You know, having theSummit and the tournament in the same city is really keeping me hopping. And I’m sure there’ll be some fine mucky-mucks who’ll want to meet you later in the week. Now you two have fun—

( jabs his finger towards ANATOLY again, laughs)Whoah! See you later.

(he exits. Pause)FLORENCE

I promise you that Walter does not represent the average American you’ll meet on the street.

ANATOLYThat is the nicest thing you ever said to me.

(they laugh)It’s getting late— remember I promised Sergei and Kristoff I would meet them back at the hotel?Shall we?

FLORENCE No, you go on — have a nice visit with your friends. I want to walk around this neighborhood.See if I find…remember anything about it.

ANATOLYWhen I get back to the hotel, I’ll pack a picnic lunch for us to meet this afternoon.

FLORENCEOh, that sounds wonderful.

( she kisses him goodbye)Be careful.

ANATOLYWhat — you heard what Walter said.

FLORENCEI just don’t understand why two old friends of a defector have been given permission to come toHungary all of a sudden!



II – 1 – 64

ANATOLY(teasing )

You have a suspicious mind!

FLORENCE

Yes, and that’s one of the things you love about me. (they both laugh, and ANATOLY exits. FLORENCE gazes around at the

cathedral. From the shadows a figure appears; it is MOLOKOV )

MOLOKOVHere to pray for victory, Miss Vassy? Or just sightseeing?

FLORENCEMolokov?

(beat )

Are you following me now?MOLOKOV

A coincidence. I love cathedrals.(beat )

Who shall I pray for to win? The old American…or the new one?(beat )

I think I shall pray that my wife stays faithful.

FLORENCEWhat do you want, Molokov?

MOLOKOVI am here for the chess. I have nothing else to do here. Mr. Anatoly Sergievsky has seen to that.

FLORENCEIt had nothing to do with you.

MOLOKOVMiss Vassy, why did I not just say that to my superiors when I got home from Bangkok? “Sirs,this defection —It had nothing to do with me.”

( Pause. He sighs)You have a beautiful country here.

FLORENCEThis isn’t my country anymore.

MOLOKOV No?



II – 1 – 65

FLORENCEI’m just a tourist now, I don’t even speak the language.

MOLOKOVI’m sorry to hear that. It’s a charming city. My own honeymoon was here.

FLORENCEI couldn’t even find Prodgsy street where I was born. I thought maybe there’d be neighbors whoremembered…what happened to my father.

MOLOKOVPerhaps they changed the street names.

(beat )I could ask. I speak some Hungarian.

FLORENCE

I wouldn’t want you to go to any trouble— MOLOKOV

It would be no trouble at all.(he starts to go)

By the way, I’m told Anatoly seems very very happy. No doubt because of you. Feelcomplimented by that.

(MUSIC #23: “Heaven Help My Heart”)

MOLOKOVWhen I see lovers who share happiness, Florence, I realize what a stupid husband I’ve been . Somuch time away. She kept saying, if I loved her...But I was young.

(he exits.)

FLORENCEIF IT WERE LOVE, I SHOULD GIVE THAT LOVEEVERY SECOND I HAD — AND I DO… DID I KNOW WHERE HE’D LEAD ME TO? DID I PLANDOING ALL OF THIS FOR THE LOVE OF A MAN?WELL, I LET IT HAPPEN, ANYHOW,AND WHAT I’M FEELING NOW HAS NO EASY EXPLANATION — REASON PLAYS NO PART.HEAVEN HELP MY HEART,I LOVE HIM TOO MUCH.WHAT IF HE SAW MY WHOLE EXISTENCE



II – 1 – 66

TURNING AROUND A WORD, A SMILE, A TOUCH?

ONE OF THESE DAYS, AND IT WON’T BE LONG, HE’LL KNOW MORE ABOUT ME THAN HE SHOULD.

ALL MY DREAMS WILL BE UNDERSTOOD. NO SURPRISE, NOTHING MORE TO LEARN FROM THE LOOK IN MY EYES.THOUGH I KNOW THAT TIME IS NOT MY FRIEND,I’LL FIGHT IT TO THE END. HOPING TO KEEP THIS BEST OF MOMENTSWHEN THE PASSIONS START.HEAVEN HELP MY HEART,THE DAY THAT I FINDSUDDENLY I’VE RUN OUT OF SECRETS, SUDDENLY I’M NOT ALWAYS ON HIS MIND.

MAYBE IT’S BEST TO LOVE A STRANGER… WELL, THAT’S WHAT I’VE DONE— HEAVEN HELP MY HEART.HEAVEN HELP MY HEART…

End of Scene



II – 2 – 67

Scene 2

( FREDDIE’s suite. FREDDIE is in a chair across from a female

REPORTER, who sits on the couch, notebook in her lap, her legs crossed.)

REPORTERWhat a beautiful suite! What do you think of Budapest so far, Mr. Trumper?

FREDDIEFreddie. Anyone with legs like that can call me Freddie.

(beat; she uncrosses her legs)That’s a joke, okay? My God, you been here how long? A couple of days! And already you lostyour sense of humor. See what Communism does to you?

( she smiles) Now there’s a smile. So, what was the question? Oh, Budapest, yeah. It stinks. You beenoutside? I have. Once. The goddamn Danube isn’t even blue.

( she laughs.)You write that down.

REPORTERI am!

(as she writes)And Mr. Sergievsky? Have you seen him yet?

FREDDIEI see him in my dreams, honey.

REPORTERHe’s staying in the hotel.

( short pause)

FREDDIEThat, I wasn’t told.

(WALTER enters)

WALTERFreddie, excuse me, the Secretary of State —

FREDDIEYou’re interrupting, Walter . This young woman from…?

REPORTERTennessee.



II – 2 – 68

FREDDIETennessee. She’s been drawing me out, Walter. She’s getting me to reveal things about myself Inever even knew.

WALTER

Good for her, but — FREDDIE

And she’s been telling me things I was never told before. Like—Sergievsky’s in this hotel.

WALTERThat’s true. There’s only one deluxe—

FREDDIEAnd is his bitch with him?

(WALTER crosses to the REPORTER)WALTER

If you’d excuse us, please—

REPORTERWe haven’t finished—

WALTERJust call and we’ll arrange another time.

REPORTERVanity Fair needs the story in —

WALTERI said just call.

( He leads her out the door and turns back to FREDDIE. Short pause.)Florence is here. Yes.

FREDDIEGood. Maybe she’ll exhaust him. Like rabbits, that’s how I bet they are.

WALTERFreddie, the Secretary of State wants to come and watch a game. While he’s here at—

FREDDIE No, I don’t need that kind of distraction.

WALTERIt’ll be no big thing.



II – 2 – 69

(beat )If I hadn’t told you—

FREDDIE ASKED me. You ask me, remember?

(beat )I tell you.(beat )

This Summit’s caused me enough trouble already without messing up the match. Look at theroom I get.

WALTERIt is the best hotel room in Budapest —the president of the United States doesn’t get a room asgood.

FREDDIE

Yeah? Is it the best room in this hotel, Walter?WALTER

Freddie, the Secretary comes to the match, gets his picture taken shaking hands with an authenticAmerican genius. What’s the big deal?

FREDDIEI don’t let myself be used like that.

WALTERYou’ve been used like that a hundred times!

(beat )Freddie, what’s one goddamn picture?

FREDDIEYou tell the Secretary of State that I am very busy and he can kiss my ass!

WALTEROkay, I’ll tell him.

(beat )Maybe not in those exact words —

FREDDIEAnd you can tell those two commies in heat that we may be in the same hotel but they better stayout of my way.

(MUSIC #24: “Winning”)

WALTERYOU TAKE CARE YOU DON’T LET



II – 2 – 70

THEIR SHENANIGANS BLIND YOU!AND YOU’RE WRONG TO FORGET YOU’VE GOT YOUR COUNTRY BEHIND YOU!

FREDDIE

YOU’RE A FOOL IF YOU THINK YOU CAN WAVE A FLAGAND INSPIRE SOME DRAMATIC ACTION!IF I WANT BAD ENOUGH, THEN IT’S IN THE BAG— IF I DON’T, YOU’RE A MERE DISTRACTION!

WALTERYOU TAUGHT ME, BABY,HOW THE FEW WHO WIN ACQUIREWHAT THEIR HEARTS DESIRE — IT AIN’T PRACTICE, IT AIN’T SKILL— THEY’LL HELP, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS WANTING WILL!

FREDDIE NO CONTEST, BABY,PAY NO MIND TO REPUTATION!YOU WANT CONCENTRATION?WHEN THEY PICK HIM OFF THE FLOOR,IT’S ‘CAUSE I WANTED IT A LITTLE MORE!

WALTERYOU CAN WIN, YOU CAN LOSE — TAKE OR BE A POSSESSION.YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO CHOOSE — AND THE KEY IS OBSESSION!

FREDDIESEE MY EYES, ARE THEY SAFE, ARE THEY EVEN SANE?ARE THEY WARM WHEN THEY SEEM TO GREET YOU?YOU DON’T KNOW, YOU CAN’T TELL— BUT IT SHOULD BE PLAIN — THESE ARE EYES THAT ARE GONNA BEAT YOU!

DON’T EVER TELL ME I DON’T KNOW THE WAY TO PLAY IT— DO I HAVE TO SAY IT?DOESN’T MATTER WHAT HE TRIES, I HAVE HIM — YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE EYES!

BOTH NO CONTEST, BABY,BARELY ANY POINT IN PLAYIN’ WHEN IT’S JUST DELAYIN’



II – 2 – 71

WHAT WE BOTH ALREADY KNOW — HE LOST IT A WOMAN AND A HALF AGO!

HE LOST IT A WOMAN AND A HALF AGO!

End of Scene



II – 3 – 72

Scene 3

( A picnic set out on a meadow along the Danube. ANATOLY,

FLORENCE, and SERGEI and KRISTOFF are talking )

SERGEI( In Russian: “Seriously, you’ve never played better.”)Si-ree-AWZ-na, tee nee-tog-DAH tak khuh-rah-shaw nee au-GRAL.

ANATOLY(to FLORENCE )

Kristoff says this afternoon was the best he’s ever seen me play.

KRISTOFF(in Russian: “It’s only a matter of days before you finish with t he

American.”)

Ooh-VYARE-an, CHI-raz PAH-roo DNYEI tee ah-bi-GRAI-esh Ah-mer-i-KAN-sa. ANATOLY

(in Russian: “We can hope”) BOO-dyem-nah-DYEI-it- s’ya.

(to FLORENCE )That I could be finished with Freddie in a few days.

SERGEI( Rises; to FLORENCE )

Thank you.

FLORENCEIt was a pleasure.

(SERGIE and KRISTOFF exit. FLORENCE and ANATOLY look over the

river.)

FLORENCEThey’re very nice.

ANATOLYI’m sorry we talked so much in Russian.

FLORENCEPlease. I understand. They’re your friends.

ANATOLYThey don’t speak any English.



II – 3 – 73

FLORENCEIt was nice to see you enjoying yourself.

ANATOLYSince Bangkok when have you not seen me enjoying myself?

FLORENCE( smiles)

I meant — with others. With friends.

ANATOLYAh.

FLORENCEThere was someone you all kept talking about, a “Svetlana”—“Svetlana” something. Didn’t youtell me your wife’s name was Svetlana?

ANATOLYFlorence —

FLORENCEIs that who you were talking about — your wife?

ANATOLYYes.

(beat )She’s here. In Budapest.

FLORENCE(taken aback )

Oh.

ANATOLYMolokov, no doubt.

FLORENCEYes, no doubt.

ANATOLYBeautiful night.

FLORENCEEvery night’s been beautiful for two months. Are you going to see her?

ANATOLYShould I?



II – 3 – 74

FLORENCEThis is your move, Anatoly, not mine.

ANATOLY

We aren’t playing a game of chess, Florence — if you don’t want me to see her… FLORENCE

What I want can have nothing to do with this. If I say no… (beat )

I don’t want you to resent me.

(MUSIC #25: “You and I”)

ANATOLYI don’t love her.

FLORENCEYou married her.

ANATOLYYears ago.

FLORENCEAnd years ago, you loved her.

(beat )THIS IS AN ALL-TOO-FAMILIAR SCENE — LIFE IMPERCEPTIBLY COMING BETWEEN.THOSE WHOSE LOVE IS AS STRONG AS IT COULD, OR SHOULD BE…

ANATOLY NOTHING HAS ALTERED —

FLORENCE —YET EVERYTHING’S CHANGED.

ANATOLY NO ONE STANDS STILL —

BOTHSTILL, I LOVE YOU COMPLETELY, AND HOPE I ALWAYS WILL.

ANATOLYWHY DO WE NEED TO PUT LOVE INTO WORDS,CAUSING CONFUSION?WE PROTEST, EXPLAIN,



II – 3 – 75

REASSURE IN VAIN,COME TO NO CONCLUSION.

FLORENCEI’D GIVE THE WORLD TO STAY JUST AS WE ARE —

IT’S BETTER BY FAR. NOT TO BE TOO WISE, NOT TO REALIZE

BOTHWHERE THERE’S TRUTH, THERE WILL BE LIES.

FLORENCEYOU AND I,

BOTH

WE’VE SEEN IT ALL, CHASING OUR HEART’S DESIRE. YET WE GO ON BELIEVING NOTHING CAN HARM US,THIS IS FOREVER!

( Music swells as scene changes to SVETLANA’s hotel room.)

End of Scene



II – 4 – 76

Scene 4

( A hotel room. SVETLANA is seated on a bed across from ANATOLY )

SVETLANA

YOU KNEW BETTER THAN MEWHERE YOUR AMBITIONS WOULD TAKE US.I KNEW SOONER THAN YOUTHAT THOSE AMBITIONS WOULD BREAK US.YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE ME — WHY SHOULD YOU BELIEVE ME?I HELD YOU BACK — YOU AND YOUR DREAMS!

WHO NEEDS A DREAM?WHO NEEDS AMBITION?

WHO’D BE THE FOOL IN MY POSITION?YEAR AFTER YEAR,I’M STILL DENYINGANYTHING’S CHANGED, ANYTHING’S DYING…

BUT, THEN —

SVETLANA & ANATOLYYOU AND I,WE’VE SEEN IT ALL, BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE,

SVETLANABUT I GO ON PRETENDINGSTORIES LIKE OURSHAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

(a pause as ANATOLY and SVETLANA look at each other. ANATOLY

turns away.)

ANATOLYWhat is left to say?

SVETLANAWe’ve said everything.

(beat )Over the years —we’ve said everything to each other. Haven’t we?



II – 4 – 77

ANATOLYI never lied to you, Svetlana.

SVETLANAIs she beautiful?

(beat, he nods)Is she rich?(he smiles, shakes his head )

But she dresses well.

ANATOLYIs that a question?

SVETLANA No.

( short pause)

Are you happy? Is she?ANATOLY

Svetlana, I love her.

SVETLANAThat wasn’t what I asked. That wasn’t what I wanted to know…

(beat. She holds out her hand )Good to see you again. It is always a pleasure to see my husband.

ANATOLYSvetlana —

( MOLOKOV enters with NIKOLAI. SVETLANA immediately goes out.)

MOLOKOVIt’s been hard on her. It’s a pity how the innocent suffer.

(beat )She of course has no apartment now — she stays with friends.

ANATOLYShe said nothing…but it doesn’t surprise me.

(beat )I should go. It’s late. Thank you for arranging this.

(he pulls out money and hands it to MOLOKOV )Here. I doubt if she would take money from me.

MOLOKOVWhy don’t you ask her yourself? She will be here for the rest of the match.



II – 4 – 78

ANATOLY(taken aback )

I don’t think that would be a good idea—

MOLOKOV

( suddenly rises and yells at him) No one cares what you think anymore!( ANATOLY is stunned )

Not your wife, not your brother —

ANATOLYMy brother?

MOLOKOVThere is a housing shortage in Rybinsk. He and his wife have had to find a smaller apartment.

ANATOLYBecause I left?

MOLOKOVAnd then there’s me! Someone had to be held accountable for your selfishness, Anatoly!

ANATOLYDo not blame me!

MOLOKOVYou see how one little move, it affects many people’s lives. Hurts so many people—

ANATOLYI don’t consider myself responsible for—

MOLOKOV( yells)

We do! Get out of my sight.(quietly, as ANATOLY goes to leave)

Your brother’s son is how old? Five, isn’t he?

ANATOLYAre you threatening — ?

MOLOKOVIn what world do you live? What did you think you were doing, Anatoly?

(beat ) Now get out. You disgust me.

End of Scene



II – 5 – 79

Scene 5

(Outside the Arena. The ARBITER makes an announcement )

ARBITER

Ladies and gentlemen, that’s game to Mr. Trumper. Mr. Sergievsky holds the lead five points tothree.

( FREDDIE enters with REPORTERS and FANS, signing autographs)

(MUSIC #26: “Freddie Goes Metal”)

FREDDIEFive-three, ladies and gentleman! That’s two in a row—and I’m just hitting my stride!

WHAT’D I SAY? TELL ME! MAKE MY DAY — TELL ME!

YOU GOT IT WRONG —HE’S WASHED UP, AND IT’S ME IN POLE POSITION! SPREAD THE NEWS — TELL THEMIT’S A CRUISE — TELL THEMI’M ON A ROLL,FLYING HIGH,WORKING ON HIS DEMOLITION!

I KNOW THAT I’VE GOT HIM NOW, AND IT’S ALL DOWN TO THE DAY WHEN I TOLD HER TO GET OUT MY LIFE!WHAT A MOVE!WHAT’D I SAY? THAT’S THE REAL STORY— YOU CAN REVEAL,ON MY OW N, IT’S BECOME A WHOLE NEW BOARD GAME!

I TELL YOU, PEOPLE,YOU’VE JUST SEEN A WHOLE NEW BOARD GAME!

(The crowd files out, FLORENCE approaches FREDDIE )

FLORENCECongratulations. Nice game.

FREDDIEPretty dumb move he made.

( He exits. NIKOLAU comes up to FLORENCE holding a coat.)



II – 5 – 80

NIKOLAIMiss Vassy —I think this is Sergievsky’s—

FLORENCEYes, I think it —

NIKOLAIHe left it at his wife’s hotel room last night.

FLORENCE( stunned )

His — (beat )

I’ll give it to him. Thank you.

( NIKOLAI exits. ANATOLY comes out, flustered.)

ANATOLYI just lost two in a row.

FLORENCEHere. Here’s your coat, you must be freezing.

ANATOLYThank you.

FLORENCEAnatoly, I love you.

ANATOLYThis I know. I do.

End of Scene



II – 6 – 81

Scene 6

( Lobby of the Arena, as the match continues. The ARBITER stands with

attendants)

(MUSIC #27: “The Arbiter’s Song (Reprise)”) ARBITER

I’M ON THE CASE! CAN’T BE FOOLED! ANY OBJECTION IS OVERRULED!YOU’VE GOT YOUR TRICKS? GOOD FOR YOU! BUT THERE’S NO GAMBIT THAT I DON’T SEE THROUGH!I’M THE ARBITER— I KNOW THE SCORE!

(an ASSISTANT hands him a note. He reads)Freddie Trumper wins three in a row, and takes the lead six games to five.


( He exits back into the arena. Crowd exits to leave WALTER and an

assistant exchanging files. MOLOKOV comes out; assistant exits)

MOLOKOV Not to let us smoke in there, it isn’t civilized.

WALTERIvan, so good to see you! I heard you were here. I was going to give you a call, but — you knowhow things are, never a minute to myself.

MOLOKOVYou’ve been promoted.

WALTERIs that the gossip?

(laughs. Short pause)

MOLOKOV Not like Anatoly to seem so edgy. Perhaps it is the presence today of your Secretary of State thatmakes him nervous.

WALTEROur Secretary of State makes no one nervous, Ivan —that’s our problem.

MOLOKOV(hands him an envelope)

Here. Read this.



II – 6 – 82

(MUSIC #28: “Let’s Work Together”)

WALTER( putting it in his pocket )

I’ll save it for— MOLOKOV

Read. (beat )

I want Anatoly back, Walter.(as WALTER reads the letter )

THERE COMES A TIME WHEN WE SHOULD POOL RESOURCES — COULD BE THE ANSWER TO OUR NATIONS’ PRAYERS! LET’S WORK TOGETHER, FOR THE ONLY COURSE IS TO MIX OUR LAISSEZ WITH OUR SAVOIR FAIRES!

WE DO OUR BEST WORK WHEN WE HUNT IN PAIRS.WALTER

Bravo, very nice. So her father is alive.

MOLOKOVYes, Florence’s father is alive. He’s been away.

WALTER“Away”. In Russia.

(laughs)And of course he won’t be allowed to come to her—not while she’s with a defector.

(beat )I could try to prevent this, Ivan. Or do you have a poison dart for me?

MOLOKOVIf you’re not interested in working something out—

WALTERI HOPE YOU DON’T MISUNDERSTAND— FOR I DON’T WANT TO CLOSE DOORS! WE’RE COMMUNICATORS, AFTER ALL!

MOLOKOVWELL, WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN POINT OF VIEW — MAYBE YOUOUGHT TO STICK TO YOURS.

WALTERTHERE COMES A TIME WHEN WE SHOULD POOL RESOURCES —



II – 6 – 83

COULD BE THE ANSWER TO OUR NATIONS’ PRAYERS! LET’S WORK TOGETHER, FOR THE ONLY COURSE ISTO MIX OUR LAISSEZ AND OUR SAVOIR FAIRES!YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT HELPS THE GUYS UPSTAIRS.

ARBITERMr. Trumper has won the nineteenth game. And holds the lead seven games to five.

MOLOKOVPoor Anatoly —that’s four losses in a row. What he must be feeling…

WALTERHey —it’s only a game!

BOTHLET’S WORK TOGETHER, AND THE WORLD IS SAFER—

THE BERLIN WALL BECOMES A BACKYARD FENCE!AND OUR CO-OPERATION PAVES THE WAY FOROUR PRIME-TIME LEADERS AND THE MAIN EVENTS!BEHIND THE SCENES WE SHOW SOME COMMON SENSE,A LITTLE MUTUAL CONVIENIENCE.LET’S WORK TOGETHER, IT’S OUR BEST DEFENSE!

WALTERComrade!

MOLOKOVBuddy!

End of Scene



II – 7 – 84

Scene 7

(the lobby of the hotel. ANATOLY and FLORENCE enter with WALTER)

WALTER

Sometimes you go through periods like this. Don’t worry, you’ll get your form back tomorrow.For every valley there’s a hill.

( A concierge enters)

CONCIERGEExcuse me, Mr. Sergievsky. There’s a telephone call for you.

FLORENCEAnatoly, let me take it.

ANATOLY No, no —I’ll take it.

CONCIERGEThis way, sir.

(they exit. Pause)

WALTER(to FLORENCE )

You got the envelope?( she nods)

You’d said nothing. I—listen, do you think this is a hoax? Do you think it’s possible your fathercould still be alive?

FLORENCEYes, it’s possible. I pray it’s possible.

WALTERI hesitated before —I didn’t want to open a wound if—

FLORENCEI need to see him. I need to meet this man.

WALTERFlorence, we have to wait to be contacted.

( MOLOKOV and SVETLANA enter )



II – 7 – 85

MOLOKOVWalter Anderson! The chess world is indeed a small world after all!

WALTERIvan.

MOLOKOVYou’ve met Svetlana Sergievsky…

( FLORENCE is taken aback )

WALTERI haven’t had the pleasure. How do you do.

SVETLANAHow do you do?

MOLOKOVAnd Florence Vassy?

SVETLANAHello.

(beat )I’ve of course seen you at the arena with Anatoly.

FLORENCEI heard you were there.

MOLOKOV( pulling SVETLANA away)

Excuse us.

FLORENCE(to WALTER)

She’s quite attractive, isn’t she?

WALTERAnatoly has good taste.

( ANATOLY enters, shaken)

ANATOLYThere was no phone call. When I went in, a man came up to me and he told me my brother’s sonhad just today had an accident. Nothing serious, he said, but —



II – 7 – 86

FLORENCEHow did he know?

ANATOLYI don’t know.

(WALTER exits)

MOLOKOV(calling to ANATOLY )

Anatoly!

FLORENCEThey just came in.

ANATOLY

He’s with my— FLORENCE

Your wife and I were introduced.

MOLOKOV(in Russian: “Greeting from your brother”)

Ti-BYEN pree-UYET ot BRAH-to.

( He exits with SVETLANA)

FLORENCEWhat did he say?

ANATOLYHe said my brother sends regards.

(beat )They want me back.

FLORENCEWho? Your wife?

ANATOLYI don’t know if I can take this.

FLORENCETake what?

ANATOLYYou’ve never been to Russia.



II – 7 – 87

FLORENCEYou know I haven’t…

(realization)You want to back.

(MUSIC #29: “I Know Him So Well”)

ANATOLYI did not say that!

FLORENCEI know it can’t have been easy—

ANATOLYIt’s been very easy— with you everything has been very good, Florence. But there are —

FLORENCE( pulling away, with tears in her eyes)

Excuse me, please. I need to go to the room.

ANATOLYI’ll come—

FLORENCE No, please. I need to think.

( ANATOLY exits. Scene changes to the hotel room.)

FLORENCE NOTHING IS SO GOOD IT LASTS ETERNALLY.PERFECT SITUATIONS MUST GO WRONG… BUT THIS HAS NEVER YET PREVENTED MEWANTING FAR TOO MUCH FOR FAR TOO LONG.

LOOKING BACK, I COULD HAVE PLAYED IT DIFFERENTLY.LEARNED A LITTLE MORE BEFORE I FELL.BUT IT TOOK TIME TO UNDERSTAND THE MAN — NOW, AT LEAST, I KNOW I KNOW HIM WELL.

WASN’T IT GOOD?

(SVETLANA stands across FLORENCE, in different worlds)

SVETLANAOH, SO GOOD…



II – 7 – 88

FLORENCEWASN’T IT FINE?

SVETLANA

OH, SO FINE..FLORENCE

ISN’T IT MADNESS—

BOTHHE CAN’T BE MINE?

FLORENCEBUT IN THE END, HE NEEDSA LITTLE BIT MORE THAN ME —

MORE SECURITY!SVETLANA

HE NEEDS HIS FANTASY AND FREEDOM,

FLORENCEI KNOW HIM SO WELL!

SVETLANA NO ONE IN YOUR LIFE IS WITH YOU CONSTANTLY. NO ONE IS COMPLETELY ON YOUR SIDE.AND THOUGH I MOVE MY WORLD TO BE WITH HIM — STILL THE GAP BETWEEN US IS TOO WIDE.

SVETLANA FLORENCELOOKING BACK, I LOOKING BACK, I COULDCOULD HAVE PLAYED HAVE PLAYED THINGSTHINGS DIFFERENTLY. SOME OTHER WAY.WON A FEW MORE MOMENTS,WHO CAN TELL? I WAS JUST A LITTLEBUT I WAS CARELESS — EVER SO MUCH MAYBE, BUTYOUNGER THEN — NOW, AT LEAST, I KNOW HIM NOW, AT LEAST, WELL.

BOTHI KNOW I KNOW HIM WELL!

SVETLANAWASN’T IT GOOD?



II – 7 – 89

FLORENCEOH, SO GOOD!

SVETLANA

WASN’T IT FINE? FLORENCE

OH, SO FINE!

SVETLANAISN’T IT MADNESS—

BOTHHE WON’T BE MINE? DIDN’T I KNOW

HOW IT WOULD GO — IF I KNEW FROM THE START,WHY AM I FALLING APART?

SVETLANAWASN’T IT GOOD? WASN’T IT FINE?

FLORENCEISN’T IT MADNESS—

BOTHHE WON’T BE MINE?

FLORENCEBUT IN THE END, HE NEEDSA LITTLE BIT MORE THAN ME — MORE SECURITY!

SVETLANAHE NEEDS HIS FANTASY AND FREEDOM,

FLORENCEI KNOW HIM SO WELL!

SVETLANAIT TOOK TIME TO UDERSTAND HIM…

BOTHI KNOW HIM SO WELL.



II – 7 – 90

( ANATOLY enters.)

ANATOLYFlorence — are you allright?

(beat; she doesn’t answer.)Florence, you said nothing to me about your father.

FLORENCEYou know?

ANATOLYWalter just —

FLORENCEWhat? Goddamn him, he knew I didn’t want you to worry —

ANATOLYDon’t you understand that they’ll never let you see him as long as you’re with me?

FLORENCEAre — are you looking for an excuse?

ANATOLY No.

(he moves away) Now my defection is hurting even you! What are they doing to us?

FLORENCEI don’t know! What?

(beat )Anatoly, the final match is tomorrow. You need your rest.

ANATOLYI don’t have to play.

(beat )I’ll tell the Arbiter that I need a week’s postponement of the match.

FLORENCEA week? You’ll never get a week, the rules you agreed to—

ANATOLYI need a week! I can’t think . How the hell can I play chess if I can’t think?

FLORENCEOkay. I’ll see what can be done.



II – 7 – 91

( she starts to leave)But it’s not just the Arbiter who needs to agree.

End of Scene



II – 8 – 92

Scene 8

( FREDDIE’s suite. FREDDIE is posing for photos as a REPORTER asks

him questions.)

REPORTERSo you don’t know why you started playing chess?

FREDDIEDid Mozart know why he heard tunes in his head?

REPORTERThen do you remember when you began to play?

FREDDIEI’m playing now—that’s what counts, right?

REPORTEROf course.

FREDDIESo let’s talk about now.

( FLORENCE enters)

REPORTERI was only hoping to begin with a little background —

FREDDIEWell, look who’s here.

FLORENCEAnatoly needs a break, Freddie.

FREDDIEAnatoly who?

FLORENCEYour opponent?

FREDDIEOh. How do you know him?

REPORTER(to FLORENCE )

Maybe you’d like us to leave —



II – 8 – 93

FREDDIE No, no —there’s nothing private going on here.

FLORENCE

(to REPORTER)Please leave. Thank you.(once they’ve left )

Five days might be enough.

FREDDIEWhy should I? You know me, Florence, rules are rules.

FLORENCEHe needs to rest!

FREDDIEYou mean I br oke him! He’s beaten, Florence, and you know it!

FLORENCEMaybe he is, but not for reasons that have anything to do with chess. As if you could everunderstand such a thing.

FREDDIEThere’s a lot more I understand now than when we were together.

(beat; he moves and kisses her, she pulls away, disgusted )

FLORENCEYou’re way gone, Freddie. And who knows, maybe you always were. Excuse me. I’m sorry tohave bothered you.

(She exits. FREDDIE is alone.)

(MUSIC #30: “Pity the Child”)

FREDDIEWHEN I WAS NINE, I LEARNED SURVIVAL — TAUGHT MYSELF NOT TO CARE.I WAS MY SINGLE GOOD COMPANION,TAKING MY COMFORT THERE.UP IN MY ROOM, I PLANNED MY CONQUESTS,ON MY OWN — NEVER ASKED FOR A HELPING HAND. NO ONE WOULD UNDERSTAND.I NEVER ASKED THE PAIR WHO FOUGHT BELOW,JUST IN CASE THEY SAID “NO”.



II – 8 – 94

PITY THE CHILD WHO HAS AMBITION,KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS TO DO.KNOWS THAT HE’LL NEVER FIT THE SYSTEM OTHERS EXPECT HIM TO.

PITY THE CHILD WHO KNEW HIS PARENTS — SAW THEIR FAULTS, SAW THEIR LOVE DIE BEFORE HIS EYES… PITY A CHILD THAT WISE.HE NEVER ASKED: “DID I CAUSE YOUR DISTRESS?” JUST IN CASE THEY SAID “YES”.

WHEN I WAS TWELVE, MY FATHER MOVED OUT!LEFT WITH A WHIMPER — NOT WITH A SHOUT!I DIDN’T MISS HIM— HE MADE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR:I WAS A FOOL, AND PROBABLY QUEER.FOOL THAT I WAS, I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BRING

THOSE HE HAD LEFT CLOSER TOGETHER.SHE MADE HER MOVE THE MOMENT HE CRAWLED AWAY!I WAS THE LAST THE WOMAN TOLD — SHE NEVER LET HER BED GET COLD!SOMEONE MOVED IN — I SHUT MY DOOR.SOMEONE TO TREAT HER JUST THE SAME WAY AS BEFORE!

I TOOK THE ROAD OF LEAST RESISTANCE — I HAD MY KINGS TO PLAY!I HAD THE SKILL, AND MORE — THE HUNGER — EASY TO GET AWAY!PITY THE CHILD WITH NO SUCH WEAPONS — NO DEFENSE, NO ESCAPE FROM THE TIES THAT BIND!ALWAYS A STEP BEHIND!I NEVER CALLED TO TELL HER ALL I’D DONE! I WAS ONLY HER SON!

PITY THE CHILD, BUT NOT FOREVER, NOT IF HE STAYS THAT WAY.HE CAN GET ALL HE EVER WANTED,IF HE’S PREPARED TO PAY— PITY INSTEAD THE CARELESS MOTHER — WHAT SHE MISSED,WHAT SHE LOST WHEN SHE LET ME GO!AND I WONDER, DOES SHE KNOW?I WOULDN’T CALL— A CRAZY THING TO DO — JUST IN CASE SHE SAID “WHO?”

End of Scene



II – 9 – 95

Scene 9

( ANATOLY and FLORENCE are on opposite sides of the stage.

ANATOLY is holding a file. He calls FLORENCE via telephone.)

FLORENCEAnatoly, where are you —I’ve been so worried about you. I’ve just heard that the Arbiter said—

ANATOLYYes. I either play or forfeit. I heard. Listen, Florence, about your father —

FLORENCEYes, have you heard something? Anatoly, what have you heard?

ANATOLYIt is best not to say too much over the telephone, but…

(he holds up a chess piece — the one belonging to GREGOR)Well, you have every reason to be hopeful.

FLORENCE.Well, allright. We’ll talk after the match today. Anatoly, you are going to play, aren’t you?

ANATOLYI don’t know.

(MUSIC #31: “Endgame”)

(The Arena. The crowds are gathering to watch the match)

CHORUSTAL, TAL,LASKER.STEINITZ, STEINITZ,ALEKHINE.BOTVINNIK, SMYSLOV, SPASSKY,EUWE.KARPOV, FISCHERPETROSIAN, ANDERSON — CAPABLANCA!CAPABLANCA!MORPHY, MORPHY.(CAPABLANCA.)

( REPORTERS, ASSISTANTS, DELEGATES, etc. all attended. The

ARBITER stands over the board, with FREDDIE seated at one end. Theother chair, however, is conspicuously empty.)



II – 9 – 96

ARBITER’S ASSISTANTS DID YOU MAKE IT CLEARTHAT HE HAS TO BE HERE?DOES HE UNDERSTAND

HE WILL LOSE HIS TITLE?ARBITER

HOW STRAIGHTFORWARD THE GAME,WHEN ALL ITS RULES ARE RESPECTED!

ARBITER’S ASSISTANTS DID YOU MAKE IT CLEARTHERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS?

ARBITER

AND THESE RULES ARE THE SAMEFOR A CHAMPION, OR FOR A NOVICE — NO SHOW, NO DICE, NO APPEAL, NO EXCEPTIONS — NO WAY!

MERCHANDISERSDO YOU THINK HE KNOWSWHAT IT’S GONNA COST HIM?

ARBITERDOES THE PLAYER EXISTIN ANY HUMAN ENDEAVOR?

MERCHANDISERSDO YOU THINK HE CARESWHAT IT’S GONNA COST HIM?

ARBITERWHO’S BEEN KNOWN TO RESISTSIRENS OF FAME AND POSSESSIONS — THREATEN TO CUT OFF SUPPLIES AND HE’LL COME OUT TO PLAY!

RUSSIANSHE’S A BROKEN MAN— GOOD AS BACK IN MOSCOW!

NIKOLAIIT’S THE WEAK WHO EXTOL TAWDRY UNTRUTHS ABOUT FREEDOM!



II – 9 – 97

RUSSIANSWHAT A WAY TO LEARNHOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS!

NIKOLAI

PROSTITUTING THE SOUL,CHASING A SPURIOUS STARLIGHT — TRINKETS IN AIRPORTS, SUFFICIENT TO LEAD THEM ASTRAY!

C.I.A. MENSELFISH LITTLE CREEP!EVERYBODY SUFFERS!

WALTERI’M NO EXPERT IN CHESS,BUT HAZARD THIS PROGNOSTICATION —

C.I.A. MENWE DON’T SEE THE JER KEVEN COMING SECOND!

WALTERTHAT THE LATE MR. “S” HAS BETTER CHANCES OF WINNINGTHE KENTUCKY DERBY THAN KEEPING HIS TITLE TODAY.

C.I.A. MENSELFISH LITTLE CREEP!EVERYBODY SUFFERS!WE DON’T SEE THE JERKEVEN COMING SECOND!

JOURNALISTSWE ARE ALL AWAREOF REPUTATION,BUT ONE EMPTY CHAIRIS CONDEMNATIONOF A MAN WHO BLEW IT,SKUTTLED WITH DISHONOR!

MERCHANDISERS & C.I.A. MEN NO ONE GIVES A DAMNFOR HIS DILEMMA — JUST ANOTHER SCAM!WE’RE SICK OF THEM, A LOT OF JOBS AT STAKE



II – 9 – 98

WITH RUSSIA’S PRIMA DONNA!

ARBITER & ASSISTANTSWE CAN HARDLY BEGIN TOIMAGINE WHY HE’D RISK ALL HE’S PUT INTO—

HIS CALLING THROUGH THE YEARS,THE BLOOD, THE SWEAT, THE TEARS,THE LATE, LATE NIGHTS, THE EARLY STARTS!

MORE JOURNALISTSOF COURSE, THE EFFECT ISEXACTLY WHAT OBSERVERS WILL EXPECT, VIZ — THE WORLD IS SET TO CHEERTHE ONLY ONE WHO’S HERE — THE BAD GUY’S GONE AND WON THEIR HEARTS!

ALLIS HE STILL IN BED?OR IN THE SHOWER?EVEN IF HE’S DEAD,THEY WON’T ALLOW AMAN TO SHOW UP AFTER THE APPOINTED HOUR!

( ANATOLY enters at the last possible moment. As CROWD sees him, theywhisper and point. PHOTOGRAPHERS take flash pictures. ANATOLY

sits. Play begins.)

ANATOLYTHEY ALL THINK THEY SEE A MANWHO DOESN’T KNOW WHICH MOVE TO MAKE,WHICH WAY TO GO.WHOSE PRIVATE LIFECAUSED HIS DECLINE — WRECKED HIS GRAND DESIGN — SOME ARE VICIOUS, SOME ARE FOOLS,AND OTHERS BLINDTO SEE IN MEONE OF THEIR KIND…

Pawn to G6.

FREDDIESO HE’S GONNA FIGHTTHE SITUATION!WHERE’S MY APPETITEFOR CONCENTRATION?



II – 9 – 99

WHY IS HE SO FOCUSEDWHEN MY THOUGHTS ARE STRAYING?

Knight to E5.

LOOKING AT THIS MAN,

IT’S HER I’M SEEING — ONCE MY GREATEST FAN,AND NOW HER BEINGHIS STILL GETS TO MEAND SCREWS THE WAY I’M PLAYING!

ANATOLYHERE I SEE A MAN CARINGABOUT A MINOR SPORTING TRIUMPH, SHARINGA SHOW WITH ESOTERICS,PARANOIDS, HYSTERICS,

WHO DON’T PAY ATTENTION TOWHAT GOES ON AROUND THEM — THEY LEAVE THE ONES THEY LOVE THE WAY THEYFOUND THEM!IS THIS THE LIFE I NEED?A CHILDISH, SELFISH GREEDWHILE THOSE WHO LOVE ME BLEED TO DEATH!

THEN I THINK OF HER — HER AND HER FATHER — WHAT WOULD SHE PREFER?I KNOW I’D RATHERLIVE MY LIFE ALONE THAN FEELTHAT I HAD HARMED THEM.

FREDDIEAT LAST, HE’S MADE A MISTAKE!

ANATOLYI CANNOT GO ON HURTING ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRUSTED ME.

FREDDIEHE WILL NOT ESCAPE FROM HERE!

ANATOLYWELL, HERE WE ARE — THE FINAL STAGES OF A SOUL-DESTROYING GAME — THE SACRIFICE OF SOMEONE I WILL NEVER FIND AGAIN!



II – 9 – 100

FREDDIECheck!

ANATOLY NEVER!

FREDDIECheck!

ANATOLY NEVER!

FREDDIECheck!

ANATOLY

NEVER!FREDDIE

Check!

ANATOLY NEVER! NEVER!

FREDDIEBACKED THE LOSING SIDE,FLORENCE VASSYTOOK YOU FOR A RIDE,FLORENCE VASSY — YOU JUST HAVEN’T GOT THE INSTINCT OF A WINNER!

ANATOLYTHERE IS NOTHING MORE TO DO — NO HOPE, NO WAYTO SAVE THE GAME;THE END OF PLAY!SO I LOSE TODAYAND TOMORROW!

(checkmate. The game is over )

End of Scene



Appendix F – 1

Scene 10

(MUSIC #32: “You and I (Reprise)”)

ANATOLY

KNOWING I WANT YOU,KNOWING I LOVE YOU,CANNOT COMPAREWITH MY DESPAIRKNOWING I’VE LOST YOU —

FLORENCEI’VE BEEN A FOOL TO ALLOW DREAMS TO BECOMEGREAT EXPECTATIONS!

ANATOLYHOW COULD I LOVE YOU SO MUCH,YET MAKE NO MOVE?

BOTHTHERE WILL BE DAYS AND NIGHTS,WHEN I’LL WANT YOU MORE THAN I WANT TO — MORE THAN I SHOULD — OH, HOW I WANT YOU!

YOU AND I,WE’VE SEEN IT ALL, CHASING OUR HEARTS’ DESIRE. BUT WE GO ON PRETENDINGSTORIES LIKE OURSHAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

ANATOLYYOU COULD NOT GIVE MEMORE THAN YOU GAVE ME — I DON’T KNOW WHYI’M STANDING BYWATCHING THIS HAPPEN!

FLORENCEI WON’T LOOK BACK ANYMORE— AND IF I DO — JUST FOR A MOMENT!

ANATOLYI CAN’T IMAGINE A TIME WHEN I WON’T CARE —



Appendix F – 2

BOTHBUT HERE WE ARE TODAY, AND IT’S OVER — HOLD ME AND TELL ME“WE’LL MEET AGAIN”—

WHY IS IT OVER?YOU AND I,WE’VE SEEN IT ALL,CHASING OUR HEARTS’ DESIRE. BUT WE GO ON PRETENDINGSTORIES LIKE OURSHAVE HAPPY ENDINGS!

( As the song ends, they kiss. ANATOLY finally pulls away and exits.)

Chess - David H. Bell Revisions

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