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Chess

Act One

Story of Chess - COMPANY

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Arbiter: The world chess federation, of which I have the honor of being
President, announces that the next world championship will take place here
in Merano, Italy.The current world champion, Frederick Trumper of the
United States of America will defend his title against Anatoly Sergievsky of
the Soviet Union.The first player to achieve six victories will be declared
champion. The first game will begin on March 27, 1979. Welcome world, to
Merano.

Merano - COMPANY
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NARRATOR: As the townsfolk prepare for the occasion, the current world
champion, Freddie Trumper of the United States, arrives with
hissecondand presumed girlfriend: Hungarian-born, English-raised
Florence Vassy.

Freddies Entrance - FREDDIE

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Florence: Freddie, I love you very much, but just for once dont go on
about the Russians at the press conference, okay? (REPORTERS enter)

Reporter: Mr. Trumper, do you think chess should be an Olympic sport?

Freddie: What, and do it for free?!

Reporter: He hasnt lost for a long time; he could be a tough nut to crack.

Freddie: Listen, if he gets one game off me, its because I want to keep
press interest going.

Reporter: Will you be quitting for good if you lose?

Reporter: How come your seconds a girl, lover boy?

Freddie: What did you say?

Reporter: How come your seconds a girl, lover boy (FREDDIE shoves the
reporter and storms off)
____________________________________________________________

Narrator: Meanwhile, Freddie's Soviet Russian challenger, Anatoly

Sergievsky, argues with his own second, the scheming Molokov.

Molokov: The man is utterly mad -- you're playing a lunatic --

Anatoly: That's the problem. He's a brilliant lunatic and you can't tellwhich
way he'll jump -- like his game he's impossible to analyzeyoucan't
dissecthim, predict him -- which of course means he's not a lunatic at all.

Molokov: All men have a weakness. His is that woman. Take her, and you
win the game.

Anatoly: So you dont think I can win otherwise?

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Molokov: Im not saying that. Im just making certain. And shes

attractive Then theres her intriguing family history. Hungary, 1956, I
know that.

Anatoly: Im a chess player, Mr. Molokov. You go and play these other
games.

Where I Want to Be - ANATOLY

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Narrator: The opening ceremony features the American and Soviet

delegates each vowing their side will win, The Arbiter insisting on a clean
game and marketers looking to make a profit.

Diplomats - COMPANY
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Walter: This is Walter De Courcy reportinglive for Global Television. The

opening match of the 1979 world chess championship is about to begin
here in Merano,Italy. The title will go to the first man to win six games. The
players are the champion from the United States, FredrickFreddie
Trumper and the challenger from the Soviet Union, Anatoly Sergievsky. The
political overtones of such a match between a Russian and an American
havecreated a great deal of media attention from around the world. And
were off. (They play)

Narrator: During the increasingly intense match, Freddie suddenly throws

the chessboard to the floor and storms out of the arena.

Walter: There has been a sensational development in the very first game in
the world championship here in Merano, Italy. The boardpieces have been
thrown to the ground in disgust by one or other or both of the players. The
world champion, Freddie Trumper has stormed out in a rage it looks
personal. Trumper has demanded that Sergivsky apologize for making him
walk out. Unless someone bangs their heads together, the championship
could be abandoned after just one game.

The Quartet Anatoly, Molokov, Florence, Arbiter

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Arbitier: If the players dont return the arena in 24 hours, the match is null
and void. The game is greater than its players.
____________________________________________________________

Narrator: Florence manages to arrange a meeting between the two

players, after trading heated words with Molokov. It turns out that Freddie
engineered the outburst in the hopes of extracting more money from his
sponsor, an Americansensationalistmedia company called Global
Television, though Walterthe company's representative in Freddie's
delegationcriticizes the stunt as ludicrous.

Freddie: Yeah, but Global will still have to pay me.

Walter: Our deal was $20,000 a game to play, not tohave tantrums.

Freddie: I shouldnt be dealing with this. Where have you been?

Florence: Saving your hide as usual. You have a meeting with Anatoly at
the Mountain Inn.

Freddie: Anatoly?

Walter: Anatoly?

Freddie: Walter, leave us.

Freddie: So now its Anatoly. Since when did you two become such good
friends. Wonderful. A traitor in my own camp. Whos side are you on?

Florence: Im on your side.

Narrator: Florence later scolds Freddie, and they fight about the politics of
the tournament until he viciously turns the argument toward her missing
father, believed captured or killed by Soviet forces during the1956
Hungarian Revolution.
Florence & the American - FLORENCE, FREDDIE
Nobodys Side - FLORENCE
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Narrator: Freddie does not immediately turn up to the Mountain Inn,

leaving Anatoly and Florence awkwardly alone together.

Terrace Duet FLORENCE, ANATOLY

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Narrator: They eventually embrace as romantic feelings arise before being

finally interrupted by Freddie, who was working out new financial terms with
Global TV.

Freddie: While my second has been curling up with my opponent, I have

agreed to new terms with Global Television. Which in turn means more
money and for you as well. But that cant be helped. Therefore this meeting
is unnecessary, the match can continue and we dont have to be friends.
____________________________________________________________

Arbiter: Ladies and gentlemen, I have succeeded in bring the players back
to the table. I remind that the first to win six games will be world champion.
(They begin CHESS #2)

Narrator: The chess tournament proceeds. Distracted by the loss of

Florence's love, Freddie flounders, leaving himself just one more loss away
from losing his title

Arbiter: At the end of todays session, the challenger Sergievsky, leads five
wins to one.

Freddie: Five games to one, its all over.

Florence Quits FLORENCE, FREDDIE

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Narrator: Due to Freddie's atrocious attitude, Florence finally deserts him

whereby Freddie ponders how his unhappy childhood left him the man he
is today. He sends the Arbiter a letter.

Pity the Child - FREDDIE

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Arbiter: Frederick Trumper has conceded the match. Anatoly Sergievsky is

the new world champion.

Walter: The drama at the world chess championship here in Merano, Italy
is now off the board. Barely had Anatoly Sergievsky been proclaimed the
new world champion when he upstaged his own triumph by deserting his
own Soviet Team. I hear he is now seeking asylum in the west, and this is
incredible, with the help of Trumpers own second, Florence Vassey.

Heaven Help My Heart - FLORENCE

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Narrator: Meanwhile, Walter tips off the press about this scandal. When
the mob of reporters ambush Anatoly and ask why he is deserting his
country, he tells them that he will never truly leave his country, and that his
land's only borders lie around his heart

Reporter 1: Excuse me, Mr. Sergievsky why are you leaving Russia?

Reporter 2: What about your wife and family?

Reporter 3: Will you be defending your title next year in Bangkok?

Reporter 4: Why are you leaving Russia?

Anatoly: I dont leave anything.

Anthem- ANATOLY
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Chess

Act Two

Narrator: Bangkok, Thailand, 1980. A year later, Anatoly is set to defend

his championship in Bangkok, Thailand. Freddie is already there, chatting
up locals and experiencing theBangkok nightlife.

One Night in Bangkok- COMPANY

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Walter: Welcome back for more from Bangkok, Thailand. This is Walter De
Courcy reporting for Global Television. And now a few words from the ex
champ who needs to introduction.

Freddie: Thank you, Walter. The old Russian struggle for world chess
supremacy is well underway here in this steamy city. Both players may be
Russian, but this is a Titanic battle between East and West. Anatoly
Sergievsky, the current world champion is now a British citizen, having
defected to the free world when he beat me last year. Its not as even so far
with the match two games old. In the first game, Sergievsky was inspired
and his Soviet opponent, Leonid Viigand played like a man petrified,
awestruck. But in the second game, Sergi. seemed troubled, distracted and
Viigand sneaked a subtle victory. You know, Walter, Im quite glad I retired.

Walter: This is Walter De Courcy

Freddie: And Frederick Trumper

Walter: On behalf of Global Television.

Narrator: Florence and Anatoly are now openly a couple, and worry about
Freddie's sudden reappearance as well as the impending arrival of
Anatoly's estranged wife, Svetlana, from Russia, which Anatoly suspects is
part of Molokov's plan to shame him into returning to the Soviet Union.

You and I - Florence, Anatoly

Anatoly: Its from Molokov. You were right, shes here.

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Narrator: And it looks as though theres a greater game being played here
in Bangkok.

Molokov: Walter, I can tell we are going to be able to help each other.

Walter: Heartwarming international corporation.

Molokov: I have good news about Anatolys lady friend. Florence Vasseys
father is alive.

Walter: Really? Well, this is good news. Have you told her yet?

Molokov: No, I was going to leave that pleasure to you. However, my

friend, there is one thing. I think Mr. Sergievsky must lose the match and
come home. Do you not agree?

Walter: Sure, but there are others beside Vassey that we wish to see come
home.

Molokov: That should not be a problem. Do we have a deal?

Walter: We have a deal and everybody wins.

Molokov: Except Anatoly.

Walter: But he gets the lovely Svetlana.

Someone Else's Story - Svetlana

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Narrator: Molokov, who indeed is responsible for Svetlana's presence in

Bangkok, blackmails her into urging Anatoly to throw the match.

Arbiter: Alexander Molokov makes his move.

Molokov: We did not bring you to Bangkok for a holiday, my dear. You
must tell your husband he has to lose the match and come home. Talk to
Anatoly. You can have the life you want and anywhere you want it. But, if
Anatoly wins, life is going to be tough for you and your children. Tell Anatoly
that.

Artiber: Two days later, the wife Svetlana Sergivesky makes her move.

Svetlana: How many times do you want to be champion anyway? Come

home, Anatoly.

Narrator: Walter, who has been promised the release of certain captured
American agents if he can ruin Anatoly's performance, informs Florence
that her father is still alive though imprisoned, and that he too will be
released if she can convince Anatoly to lose.

Walter: Your father is alive.

Florence: My father? Alive?

Walter: Alive in Russia. Thirty years in prison.

Florence: And you think I would believe you?

Walter: Well, the evidence is conclusive and if you dont believe me,
Anatoly will. Now you get him to lose and Molokov assures me he can get
your father out. And not only him.

Florence: Theres not deal.

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Narrator: Despite Molokov and Walter's efforts, none of their ploys work to
get Anatoly tothrow the game. As a result, Molokov and Walter team up to
get Freddie to personally persuade Anatoly and Florence, knowing that
Freddie is vengeful toward Anatoly and interested in winning back the love
of Florence.
Freddie: It can all be different now, Florence. Come back to me.

Narrator: However, Freddie's attempts also fail.

Narrator: Surprisingly, Svetlana and Florence end up bonding over their
respective relationships with Anatoly. Florence ultimately admits that it
would be best for Anatoly to return to his children and Svetlana.

I Know Him So Well - Florence, Svetlana

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Arbiter: Gentlemen, the score is five games each. You both just need one
more win to be world Champion.

Walter: All eyes in the world of chess, and indeed many eyes outside, are
turned toward Bangkok, Thailand today where what many here expect to
be the final game in this gripping encounter. Sergivsky seems certain to
lose his title here today to the mightily impressive Leonid Viigand. The
game has begun.

Endgame #3
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Arbiter: Anatoly Sergivsky is the winner and remains world champion

Narrator: Later, Florence confesses her feelings that he should return to

his family in the Soviet Union. The pair reflects on the conclusion of their
romance.

You and I - Anatoly, Florence

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Walter: So in the end, our hero won grandly and surprised us all. Played as
well as hes ever done.

Florence: No surprise.

Walter: Well this is, hes just announced hes going back to the Soviet
Union. He seems unable to win without the added thrill of changing sides.
Dont you have a single word to say?

Florence: No.

No, you wouldn't listen anyhow

And what I'm feeling now has no easy explanations
Hasn't this been a great achievement?
Losing your man and nothing in return

Walter: Well, not my man, he's your man. Anyway, Anatoly's return to the
Soviet Union is a very decent gesture. It virtually assured us some very
important collateral , including your father. He must have done it for you, he
wouldn't have done it for me. Well get your father out if he's still alive.

Florence: What did you say?

Walter: Well, we cant be sure hes alive. But then you couldnt be sure that
hes dead. No change there, huh. Youll be back next year. Its only a game.

Florence: No! Ive spent my whole life playing games.

Narrator: Florence breaks down, realizing that she too has been used,
and she sadly mirrors Anatoly's earlier sentiment that her only borders lie
around her heart.

Finale - Florence and Company