Chess

ChessMusic: Benny Andersson + BjС†rn UlvaeusLyrics: Tim RiceBook: Tim RicePremiere: Wednesday, May 14, 1986Broadway record: 1988--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHESS

American Tour version

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Based on an idea by Tim Rice

Book by Richard Nelson

Book Revised for this Production by Robert Coe

В© 1990

The American Tour opened January 9, 1990 at the Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts in Miami Beach, Florida

Note: This script was made by transcription; the descriptions of action are from observation. Sung material is in all capital letters.

ACT ONE

Scene 1: A Giant Chessboard

"The Story of Chess"

ARBITER

Each game of chess means there's one less

Variation left to be played

Each day got through means one or two

Less mistakes remain to be made

Each game of chess means there's one less

Variation left to be played

Each day got through means one or two

Less mistakes remain to be made

Not much is known

Of early days of chess beyond a fairly vague report

That fifteen hundred years ago two princes fought

Though 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 explain

How things had really been

But he tried in vain

No words of his could mollify the queen

And so he asked the wisest men he knew

The way to lessen her distress

They told him he'd be pretty certain to impress

By using model soldiers on

A chequered board to show it was his brother's fault

They thus invented chess.

(the chorus moves large chess pieces around the board and sings the above in counterpoint during the following:)

Chess displayed no inertia

Soon spread to Persia, then west

Next the Arabs refined it,

Thus redesigned, it progressed

Still further yet

And when Constantinople fell in 1453

One would have noticed every other refugee

Included in his bags a set

Once in the hands

And in the minds of leading figures of the Renaissance

The spirit and the speed of chess made swift advance

Through all of Europe's vital lands

Where we must record

The game was further changed

Right across the board

The western touch upon the pieces ranged

King and queen and rook

And bishop, knight and pawn

All took on the look

We know today, the modern game was born

With such success

We see a game that started by mistake in Hindustan

And boosted in the main by what is now Iran

Reach every corner of the globe with nation

Squaring up to nation to determine, no holds barred....

Who owns, who made, who will parade

The champion of chess.

Scene 2: The Lobby of the Bangkok International Hotel

tv anchor

(on screen)

Frederick Trumper, the American chess player, has revolutionized an ancient game -- offering the kind of excitement usually associated with a rock

http://web.archive.org/web/20070813041059/http:/libretto.musicals.ru/text.php?textid=72&language=1


concert. Well, "FREDDIE-mania" has moved halfway around the world with an added twist of global politics. An American-Soviet chess competition has seized the international media spotlight. We're taking you now live to our correspondent in Thailand, Frank Scamello....

SCAMELLO

Excitement is building here at the fabulous International Hotel in exotic Bangkok, Thailand, where press representatives from around the globe have gathered for what has to be the most anxiously awaited international sporting event since the last Olympics. The world chess tournament chess match-up between the American, Frederick Trumper and his Soviet challenger Anatoly Sergievsky. It's morning here in Bangkok, and the man who has held the world title for the past five years should be appearing at any...wait just a moment... Freddie Trumper's arriving now.

"What a Scene, What a Joy"

FREDDIE

(on screen)

What 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 want to see

If the nice guy beats the bum

If it's East-West

And the money's sky-high

They all come

My personal manager, WALTER De Courcey.

WALTER

Ladies and gentlemen, the world chess champion has arranged for an demonstration of his amazing mental powers. He's going to defeat the unbeaten Textron chess-playing computer in less than twenty-five moves.

FREDDIE

You can raise all you want

If you raise the roof

Scream and shout and the gate increases

Break the rules -- break the bank

I'm the living proof

They don't care how I move my pieces

I know I'm the best there is

But all they want is a show

Well that's all right I'll be glad to oblige

S.R.O. S.R.O.

Scene 3: Anatoly's Hotel Suite

Simultaneously, ALEXANDER MOLOKOV and ANATOLY SERGIEVSKY watch the match on television from their suite on the other side of the stage.

MOLOKOV

What a ridiculous demonstration. The man is clearly disintigrating before our very eyes.

ANATOLY

Don't believe it.

MOLOKOV

But twenty-five moves against a three-year old computer.

ANATOLY

Molokov, who is that woman?

MOLOKOV

Why? Interested?

(beat)

Very well. Nikolai, hand me the Vassy file.

(reads)

Florence Vassy. For the past seven years, Frederick Trumper's chess second. Hungarian-born orphan emigrated as an infant from Budapest. Adopted and raised in Connecticut. An excellent chess player in her own right, I might add. Several years ago, she and Trumper were lovers. Now they keep separate rooms. Whether they are lovers still....

ANATOLY

You mean there are things the KGB does not know?

MOLOKOV

We are seldom surprised by your taste in women, Anatoly. I shall make it a point not to inform your estranged wife.

ANATOLY

Svetlana and I keep no secrets from each other. Unlike your friends in Moscow.


MOLOKOV

Please, my dear Anatoly Valeriovich, by the time....being I'm a mere chess-playing second like the lovely Florence Vassy.

ANATOLY

Vassy...Vassy. Is she perhaps related to the former Hungarian chess champion?

MOLOKOV

His daughter.

ANATOLY

Does it say anywhere in that file that her father died in a Budapest prison in the '56 revolt?

(MOLOKOV turns up the volume on the television:)

FREDDIE

Checkmate!

SCAMELLO

Freddie has just defeated the previously unbeaten Textron computer in only 23 moves. We'd like to invite you now across the lobby to the Circus Room for champagne and coffee. We're going to watch the world champ play six international masters simultaneously while blindfolded.

(MOLOKOV turns off the TV)

"The Russian and Molokov"

MOLOKOV

What we've just seen's a pathetic display

From a man who's beginning to crack

He's afraid -- he knows he isn't the player he was

And he won't get it back

ANATOLY

Nonsense!

Why do my seconds

Always want to believe

Third-rate propaganda --?

MOLOKOV

My friend, please relax

We're all on your side

You know how you need us --

ANATOLY

I don't need my army of so-called 'advisors'

And 'helpers' to tell me

The man who's revitalised chess single-handed

Is more or less out of his brain

When it's very clear he's sane

FREDDIE

...I have just one message for you, my friend. You'd better come to play chess.

MOLOKOV

Listen, we won't underestimate Trumper

We won't get caught in that trap

After all, winning or losing reflects on us all --

ANATOLY

Oh don't give me that crap!

I win -- no one else does

And I take the rap if I lose

MOLOKOV

Winning's not so simple

The whole world's tuned in

We're on display

We're not merely sportsmen --

ANATOLY

Oh please don't start spouting that old party line

Yes I know it's your job but

Just get out and get me a chess-playing second

In twenty-four hours we begin

That is if you want to win!

MOLOKOV

Wanting's not sufficient

We have to know, we have to make sure

All men have a weakness

And his is that woman, the one who controls him

His queen and his mentor

The best moves are always

Away from the chessboard

The WOMAN is your aim

Take her and you win the game


(Molokov exits)

"Where I Want to Be"

ANATOLY

Who needs a dream?

Who needs ambition?

Who'd be the fool

In my position?

Once 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 where I want to be and who I want to be

and doing what I always said I would

and yet I feel I haven't won at all

Running for my life and never looking back

in case there's someone right behind

to shoot me down and say he always knew I'd fall

When 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?

If I'm concealing

Not only love

All other feeling

Now I'm where I want to be and who I want to be

and doing what I always said I would

and yet I feel I haven't won at all

Running for my life and never looking back

in case there's someone right behind

to shoot me down and say he always knew I'd fall

When the crazy wheel slows down

Where will I be? Back where I started.

(Nicolai enters)

nikolai

Anatoly Valeriovich, it's Nikolai. Excuse me, but I heard you tell MOLOKOV you needed a game. Well, I was a tournament semi-finalist of my student chess club in Crakow, and I was wondering....

ANATOLY

Nikolai!

(pause)

Maybe later.

Scene 4: The Rooftop Ballroom of the International Hotel

Molokov, Anatoly, Freddie, Florence, Walter, the Arbiter and his assistants and various delegates are present.

ARBITER

On behalf of the king and people of Thailand and the International Chess Federation, I wish to welcome the world to the magnificent city of Bangkok and the World Chess Championship. Mr. Frederick Trumper of the United States will defend his title against the challenger from the Soviet Union, Mr. Anatoly Sergievsky. Let me take this opportunity also to thank the Bangkok International Hotel for providing us with this magnificent rooftop ballroom.

FREDDIE

Nice spot.

ARBITER

Mr. Trumper, my name is Kobe Obe. My homeland, Nigeria. I am the Arbiter of this match. Our format is simple. The first player to attain six game victories over his opponent will be declared champion. These are my assistants. Officials will see that the rules of the match are followed and order prevails. Would the players and seconds please approach?

FREDDIE

Well, it's great to be back at the world championship. I just flew in


from New York and boy are my arms tired. It's been two years since the last big event and it's going to feelgreat to keep the title.

FLORENCE

Good morning...Mr. Molokov? You speak English, I understand.

MOLOKOV

Good morning, Miss Vassy. My pleasure.

ANATOLY

I believe I speak your language as well, Miss Vassy.

FLORENCE

Congratulations, Mr. Sergievsky. Even reaching this level of play is no mean feat.

ANATOLY

May I take this opportunity to offer your man a rematch?

FLORENCE

Isn't that a little premature when you haven't even sat across a table yet?

ANATOLY

There's a Russian saying, 'Patience is a virtue, but why waste time?'

WALTER

Excuse me, I'm Walter DeCourcey, Freddie's personal manager, business matters. Unnecessary evil, I'm afraid, what with all the media attention....

MOLOKOV


We know you by reputation, Mr. DeCourcey.

FLORENCE

I'm sure you know a little about all of us, Mr. Molokov.

MOLOKOV

That's true, Miss Vassy, especially Hungarian citizens who've made a success in the West.

FLORENCE

Circumstances have left me a citizen of the world.

ARBITER

Enough big jaws. Shall we go see. I'm available to consider pre-match applications....

FLORENCE

We'd like to make a....

ARBITER

(continuing)

...and am hopeful that the new spirit of conciliation between two great nations will extend itself to a simple game. Miss Vassy?

FLORENCE

The American delegation wishes to protest the size of the Soviet delegation.

MOLOKOV

But our delegation is the same size as the American delegation.

FLORENCE

On the contrary, most of the people on our side are private citizens.

MOLOKOV

The Soviet delegation consists of just three people, including our champion. Our doctor, psychologist, security agents and chef cannot be considered delegates.

ARBITER

Objection overruled. Mr. Molokov?

MOLOKOV

The Soviet delegation has reason to believe that the American player's chair contains a communications device. It objects to the constitution of the chair.

FLORENCE

That's preposterous. Both chairs were made in Sweden. With non-aligned aluminum.

ARBITER

Objection overruled.

WALTER

As the head of the television companies, I'd like to ask permission for a few key commercial supporters of the game to set up sales booths around the arena....

ARBITER

Mr. DeCourcey, the trade show of chess products filling the hotel's convention hall isn't enough for you?

WALTER

Well, given the tremendous investment in the live satellite hook-up, it seems to me....

"Arbiter's Song"

ARBITER

Mr. DeCourcey, for the moment, could we behave ourselves with the dignity the occasion demands? Let the preparations for the match begin.

I've a duty as the referee

At the start of the match

On 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 objection

Is overruled

Yes I'm the ARBITER and I know best

ASSISTANTS

He's impartial, don't push him, he's unimpressed

ARBITER

You 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

ASSISTANTS

From square one he'll be watching all 64

ARBITER

If 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

Just the hint of the unethical

I'll be right on your back

I will jump on all offenders from a [?] height

Don't invite

[?]

I'm on the case

Can't be fooled

Any objection

Is overruled


ASSISTANTS

He's impartial, don't push him, he's unimpressed.

(dance sequence)

ARBITER

I'm on the case

Can't be fooled

Any objection is overruled


ASSISTANTS

He's impartial, don't push him, he's unimpressed.

ARBITER


Good for you!


I don't see through


From square one I'll be watching all 64

ASSISTANTS

From square one he'll be watching all 64

ARBITER


ARBITER & ASSISTANTS

From square one I'll be watching all 64.

(the game begins)

ARBITER

Mr. Sergievsky has resigned. Opening game to the champion, Frederick Trumper.

(applause)

Silence! I will not allow partisan demonstrations at this match. We will conduct ourselves with athe dignity the occasion deserves.

I'm on the case

Can't be fooled

Any objection is overruled


Good for you!


I don't see through

(Another game proceeds. As usual, Anatoly eats yogurt mid-game)

Oh I'm the ARBITER, my word is law

Yes, I'm the ARBITER, my word is law

From square one....

FREDDIE

(points to Anatoly's yogurt)

Put that down!

ANATOLY

Stop....

FREDDIE

The yogurt, give it here, let me see that.

ANATOLY

Get away.

FREDDIE

Check it! I want someone checking that yogurt. Put it down.

FLORENCE

Check it for what?

ARBITER

What is going on here?

FREDDIE

Check the yogurt.

ANATOLY

Why should I let you look in my yogurt?

FREDDIE

It's strawberry.

ANATOLY

Yes.

FREDDIE

Before that in the first game it was banana.

ANATOLY

So?

FREDDIE

Don't you see? They're cheating!

ARBITER

Mr. Trumper....

FREDDIE

Don't be so goddam naive! Look at that! Now I demand that he no longer be served yogurt and I want an apology.

ANATOLY

Never!

FLORENCE

Freddie, what are you doing...?

FREDDIE

I want him disqualified. Come on, do something. Call him on it. Do something!

ARBITER

Mr. Trumper, please....

FREDDIE

This match is over.

ARBITER

Break for lunch.

Scene 5: The ARBITER's Suite

ANATOLY

A pity we can't always choose which side we work for.

FLORENCE

I suspect the problem is a bit more acute on your side.

MOLOKOV

We wish, no must, make our disgust

For this abuse perfectly clear

We're here for chess -- are the US?

If so why foul the atmosphere?

FLORENCE

I must protest -- our delegation

Has a host of valid points to raise

ARBITER

It's not just black and white

If I may coin a phrase

As any neutral would attest

FLORENCE

Though we concede

The fact your masters bend the rules is maybe

not your fault

If they admit their psychological assault

Then under protest we'll proceed

MOLOKOV

If your man's so sweet

Then why the fighting talk?

If he's not a cheat

Then why on earth did he go take a walk?

FLORENCE

I am not surprised he wanted fresher air

Once he realized there was no hope

Of your lot playing fair

FLORENCE/ANATOLY MOLOKOV/ARBITER

How sad It's very sad to see

the ancient and

To see distinguished game

that used to be

ALL

A model of decorum and tranquility

Become like any other sport

A battleground for rival ideologies

To slug it out with glee

ANATOLY

I would say with regard to

Him it is hard to

Rebut

Ever growing suspicions

My opposition's

A nut

FLORENCE

I would have said

You'd understand the strain

and pressure getting where he's got

Or that you'd simply call him highly-strung and not

Imply that he was off his head

ANATOLY

But how on earth

Can someone even half as civilized and nice as you

Become with such a self-destructive point of view

I hope he pays you what you're worth

ARBITER

I call this tune

No one's immune to my power

Once in that hall

MOLOKOV

In that case

I must ask you

Why you now

Preside over a brawl

FLORENCE

I'm not getting rich

My only interest

Is in something which

Gives me the chance

Of working with the best

ANATOLY

I can only say

I hope your dream comes true

Till that far-off day

I hope you cope

With helping number two

FLORENCE/ANATOLY MOLOKOV/ARBITER

How sad It's very sad to see

the ancient and

To see distinguished game

that used to be

ALL





(They all sing their verses over each other)

ALL





ARBITER

Miss Vassy...!

FLORENCE

Ms.

ARBITER

It is time for explanations.

FLORENCE

Our position is simple. Mr. Trumper will consent to resume the match only if Mr. Sergievsky abstains from eating yogurt.

ANATOLY

Never!

FLORENCE

In addition,Freddie will require an apology for this extraordinary breach of chess etiquette.

ARBITER

Ms. Vassy, let me remind you that the eyes of the world are on Bangkok. This is the message that I want to send to both sides. The game is greater than the players and their politics. Tomorrow morning I expect to see two players at the table. Now. I'm going to leave the three of you to resolve your differences. Good day.

(Arbiter and Assistants exit)

ANATOLY

My taste in yogurt seems to have produced an international incident.

MOLOKOV

(to Florence)

My friend, in the spirit of Malta, why can't we just play chess?

FLORENCE

You have the nerve to ask me that?

MOLOKOV

I'm a chess second.

FLORENCE

Bullshit! The State Department briefed us about you before we came here, Molokov, and I'm sure you of all people are thoroughly aware of my family background.

ANATOLY

I was briefed on you myself, Miss Vassy.

FLORENCE

So don't give me any further reasons to hate you, and don't think for a moment we don't know who controls the momentum of this match. Freddie walks out and says you cheated, who wouldn't believe him? We'll come out on top and the two of you will be on the first plane back to Moscow. And I hear Moscow is lovely this time of year.

(to Anatoly)

You need only apologize because without an apology, I'm not certain I can convince Freddie to return to the game.

ANATOLY

Would this meeting have to be public?

MOLOKOV

Sergievsky....

ANATOLY

Would it?

MOLOKOV

You can't possibly agree to this.

FLORENCE

Not necessarily public. Like everything else, the setting can be negotiated.

MOLOKOV

This meeting will take place over my strenuous objections.

ANATOLY

As you can see, I lean heavily on the advice of Comrade Molokov. Therefore I will consent to this meeting only if seconds from both sides are present. That means you, Miss Vassy.

FLORENCE

I'm fully acquainted with my position in this match. Your generosity surprises me, Mr. Sergievsky. As a gesture of conciliation, I'll permit you to suggest a place.

MOLOKOV

I know a private restaurant....

FLORENCE

I know restaurants too, Mr. Molokov.

ANATOLY

Perfect! Travelling with my own chef, I have yet to sample the local Thai cuisine. Shall we choose? I have a Bangkok food guide.

FLORENCE

We'll use mine.

MOLOKOV

They're the same guide.

ANATOLY

We have something in common.

MOLOKOV

I open, you point.

FLORENCE

Agreed.

MOLOKOV

Make it the third below the one you touched.

FLORENCE

The fourth.

MOLOKOV

The second.

FLORENCE

Agreed.

MOLOKOV

Okay.

ANATOLY

The Generous Sole Terrace Bar.

MOLOKOV

An auspcious name.

FLORENCE

What a coincidence.

ANATOLY

It's in the hotel.

ALL

It sounds fine.

ANATOLY

Wonderful.

Scene 6: Freddie's Suite

WALTER

(into phone)

A lot of nerve these people have, you know. Yogurt! I mean who would have thought in an age of cold war thaw that...well, listen, David, you spend your life staring at 64 squares, you start to go a bit cuckoo after a while, I mean chess is a violent sport. David, listen to me, the chances of getting FREDDIE to pose for a photo with the Russian are less than zero. Unless you're talking about the cover. Now that would be different,

wouldn't it?

(Florence enters)

FLORENCE

Where's FREDDIE?

WALTER

(to Florence, covering mouthpiece of phone)

Shhh. Time Life.

(into phone)

Now look, Freddie'll give you twenty minutes on the phone if we get the cover and a look at the copy before publication.

FLORENCE

Where is he?

WALTER

Shut up, please.

(into phone)

We realize that pre-publication review's a sensitive issue, but if you can give it to Meryl Streep, you can sure as hell give it to FREDDIE Trumper without any....

(Florence depresses the switch hook)

WALTER

What the hell are you doing? That was Time-Life. It took me twenty minutes to make that connection.

FLORENCE

Where did he go?

WALTER

Don't you realize what we got here? Cold War revived as chess match. Headlines in the press. Among them: La Monde, Die Welt, the Times in L.A., London, New York. This publicity could put our grandchildren through college.

FLORENCE

WALTER, I want some answers now. I just spent forty-five minutes making a complete ass of myself.

(the phone rings again)

WALTER

(into phone)

Freddie Trumper's suite, could you hold please?

(to Florence)

You've got my undivided attention. What is it?

FLORENCE

What Freddie did today was not his style.

WALTER

You're not suggesting I had anything to do with this are you?

FLORENCE

You follow the slime, you find the slug.

(Freddie enters)

FREDDIE

It wasn't Walter. It was my idea.

WALTER

You see?

FLORENCE

Okay. It's been a long day and it's not even four o'clock. I'm sorry, Walter.

WALTER

That's okay, kid. Forget about it. I'll take this in the bedroom. Good luck, Florence.

FLORENCE

Seriously, Freddie, what information could anyone possibly pass the guy in a cup of blueberry yogurt?

FREDDIE

It was strawberry.

FLORENCE

You couldn't even be original. You had to steal Korchnoi's ploy from '78.

FREDDIE

Korchnoi's complaint.

(pause)

Wait. Wait a sec. I figured it out. Ah ha! I figured it out.

FLORENCE

What did you figure out?

FREDDIE

Look, I'm down a pawn, right? But then I moved a bishop, which means I sacrifice, which means I'm down two pawns. Now watch closely. Because I moved the queen's rook...

FLORENCE

Just move the knight.

FREDDIE

No, no, no. You haven't seen it yet. I move the rook and bam, bam, bam, bam. A draw! Snatched from the jaws of defeat! Global headlines, Florence. Down two pawns, Trumper saves draw.

FLORENCE

So that's why you pulled that stunt with the yogurt.

FREDDIE

God, I feel good. You know, nothing makes the mind kick in like a knife to your throat.

FLORENCE

Fine time to save the draw.

FREDDIE

At first I thought he was just disguising that variation he used to keep Vilav in....

FLORENCE

Will you stop talking chess for one moment!?

(Walter enters)

WALTER

That was Vanity Fair and we got the cover! Freddie, I'll call you later. I'm going to see if I can set up a few more phone interviews. I'm telling you, this thing is big.

(Walter exits)

FREDDIE

I still can't figure out why I didn't see it....

WALTER

I'm going downstairs to the trade show, Florence. Come along later if you feel like slumming.

FLORENCE

Freddie, why did you cheat?

FREDDIE

I must be losing my touch.

FLORENCE

Answer me!

FREDDIE

Come on Florence, get with the program! This is no ordinary game! I can't lose this match. I cannot do that, Florence.

FLORENCE

Then you show up downstairs at the Generous Sole at ten.

FREDDIE

Why should I?

FLORENCE

He's apologizing.

FREDDIE

You're kidding?

FLORENCE

I wish I were.

FREDDIE

(laughs)

Vassy, you are a genius!

FLORENCE

I wish I had nothing to do with this.

FREDDIE

You wish you...hey, who's side you on here, anyway?

FLORENCE

They showed more class than you have ever shown in your life.

FREDDIE

I get it now. That Russian's got your number, hasn't he? I saw those smoldering looks at the opening ceremony. You seem to be forgetting something here Florence. These are the people who murdered your father.

"You Wanna Lose Your Only Friend"

FLORENCE

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

FREDDIE

I'm only teasing Soviets

With gentle bonhomie

And you've a better reason to be anti-them than me

FLORENCE

There's a time and there's a place

FREDDIE

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

FLORENCE

There's a time and there's a place --

FREDDIE

1956 - Budapest is rising

1956 - Budapest is fighting

1956 - Budapest is falling

I'd have thought you'd support

Any attack on these people

On the people who ran

Mindlessly over your childhood

Don't let them fool you for

Thirty years on they're the same

FLORENCE

1956 - Budapest is fighting

1956 - Budapest is dying

FREDDIE

you should never forget

don't be deceived by this glasnost

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 done

That he'd be ashamed of in my whole life!

Why'd you have to do this to me?

FREDDIE

Florence, I'm sorry. Florence.....

(lights down as she exits, the scene dissolves to the hotel cafe, then a spa during the following)

"Nobody's Side"

FLORENCE

What's going on around me

Is barely making sense

I need some explanations fast

I see my present partner

In 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 reasons

To 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 leaves the restaurant and goes to the hotel spa where she receives a massage from the Spa Assistants)

SPA ASSISTANTS

Everybody'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


FLORENCE

The one I should not think of

Keeps 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 & SPA ASSISTANTS

Never make a promise or plan

Take a little love where you can


Never stay too long in your bed

Never lose your heart, use your head


(behind a screen, Florence dresses for the evening)

(dance break)

FLORENCE

Never take a stranger's advice

Never let a friend fool you twice


Never be the first to believe

Never be the last to deceive

FLORENCE AND DRESSERS


Never leave a moment too soon

Never waste a hot afternoon


Never stay a minute too long

Don't forget the best will go wrong


Scene 8: The Generous Sole Terrace Bar

Better learn to go it alone

Recognize you're out on your own


(the dressers become patrons of the bar, joined by men to form couples. Florence approaches Molokov's table, as does Anatoly)

MOLOKOV

Who'd have thought that such a simple game could be so complicated? Please sit down Miss Vassy, Mr. Sergievsky. We just have to wait for only a moment. I still don't approve of this apology, but as you must know better than anyone we should all learn to allow for the whimseys of genius. Please come, won't you join us? Thank you. You do not care much for me yet, but in the words of Gorby, we should all learn to respond to changing ti

Entertainment & Humor

Chess