Act One
Scene Two
FREDDIE sits in front of a chessboard at his hotel suite while FLORENCE sets up the pieces. He runs afoot up her leg at one point, causing her to tip a piece over. They laugh, and she finishes setting the board up.
FREDDIE
Nice.
(He picks a white knight up before setting it down again.)
Very, very neat trick.
FLORENCE
Is there a way out?
FREDDIE
I don't think so. The trap's clever, but that's it. I wouldn't have fallen for it.
FLORENCE
Sergievsky did.
FREDDIE
So why are you showing me this?
FLORENCE
Sergievsky won this match.
FREDDIE
Then there's something wrong.
(Goes to adjust a piece; FLORENCE catches his hand.)
FLORENCE
I checked it fifty times. Trust me.
FREDDIE
What kind of idiot could lose...?
FLORENCE
Korchnoi.
FREDDIE
Jesus Christ, Florence. Korchnoi...okay, what's the joke?
FLORENCE
There's nothing funny about this. Sergievsky's not a cakewalk, Freddie.
FREDDIE
(Laying back on the bed, where a stack of newspapers and magazines are placed.)
Don't you have any confidence in me?
FLORENCE
You know I do! But you can't keep acting like Sergievsky can't play chess. He's the best to come along since –
FREDDIE
Since who?
FLORENCE
(Smiles.)
Since you.
FREDDIE
That's more like it. Anything else?
Commie Newspapers.
FLORENCE
WELL, WE CAN'T COMPLAIN
THAT YOU'RE BEING IGNORED BY THE PRESS
FREDDIE
Why, what'd they say?
FLORENCE
THEY'RE NOT TOO POLITE
FREDDIE
They say I'm a shit?
FLORENCE
Well, yes. They pulled you to pieces in
FIVE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES!
Here we are. The Times:
YOU "THRIVE ON UNPLEASANTNESS."
Le Monde: "Freddie Trumper la honte des echeques!"
FREDDIE
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN'T SEE MY GAME
I'M LIKE THAT TENNIS PLAYER, WHAT'S HIS NAME?
THEY LOVE TO HATE ME AND FOR US – THAT'S DOLLARS!
FLORENCE
Die Welt: "Trumper die gross lecker skandal die schatz!"
FREDDIE
HEY LOOK HERE'S A PIECE THAT SOME IDIOT'S DONE ON YOU.
"Florence Vassy. Stunning Hungarian born Jersey girl.
HIS GENTLE COMPANION." Huh! IF THEY ONLY KNEW!
FLORENCE
(Playfully tackles FREDDIE down on the bed.)
What do you mean? You know I'm always gentle with you.
BOTH
"SHE STANDS BY HER CHAMPION"
FREDDIE
I like this.
BOTH
"WHOSE DEMANDS ARE SO INFANTILE"
FREDDIE
Check that – I don't like this.
FLORENCE
IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN IT'S UP TO YOU
THEY LIKE THE RUSSIAN, THEY COULD LIKE YOU TOO
FREDDIE
Commie newspapers!
OF COURSE THE BASTARDS ALL SUPPORT THE RUSSIAN
FLORENCE
BUT SERGIEVSKY SEEMS A SWEET OPPONENT
SO WHY DO YOU ABUSE HIM ALL THE TIME?
FREDDIE
He's still a commie, Florence. Remember what they did to you.
FLORENCE
Freddie, I love you very much. But please, just for once, don't go on about the Russians at the press conference.
(She helps him put on a sport jacket.)
Oh, and Freddie?
FREDDIE
Yeah?
FLORENCE
King to G3.
She kisses him as he smiles at the thought of the move. The bedroom set is taken away, and we see a handful of REPORTERS gather around FREDDIE, followed by CAMERAMEN.
FREDDIE
(Pointing to BANGKOK REPORTER, whose hat is rather goofy.)
You, in the stupid hat.
BANGKOK REPORTER
Mr. Trumper, what do you think of Anatoly Sergievsky's meteoric rise within the chess world?
FREDDIE
The Commies have been trying to beat me for three years. They're running scared. This new guy's no different.
GERMAN REPORTER
Mr. Trumper, how do you think this match will impact on American – Soviet relations?
FREDDIE
Well, let's see. When I win, I'll buy Brezhnev a plane ticket to Bangkok so he can kiss my ass personally.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
Do you worry that your sponsors will withdraw funding if we see a long series of draws?
FREDDIE
(Laughs.)
I don't think that's gonna be a problem.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
Well, in matches between equals, we've always –
FREDDIE
Who the hell said Sergievsky's my equal?
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
Well, your ELO ratings –
FREDDIE
Don't let the statistics fool you. I've got this Red's number and you damn well know it!
Press Conference.
ENGLISH REPORTER
DOES YOUR OPPONENT DESERVE SUCH ABUSE?
FREDDIE
All Soviets deserve abuse.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
BUT EVEN YOU MUST CONCEDE HE CAN PLAY
FREDDIE
He's the best Red on the circuit, I'll give him that.
GERMAN REPORTER
HE HASN'T LOST FOR A LONG TIME
HE COULD BE A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK
FREDDIE
Listen, if he gets one game off me, it's because I want to keep press interest going.
REPORTERS
WHY DO YOU PERSIST
IN VICIOUS ATTACKS?
UNGRACIOUS REMARKS RE:
OPPONENTS? IT SMACKS
OF A LACK OF CONVICTION, ADMIT
YOU'RE UNDER DURESS
AND THAT YOUR ONLY SKILL LEFT
IS FOR MONEY NOT CHESS
IF SOVIET LIFE'S
AS GRIM AS YOU CLAIM
THEN HOW COME THEIR BOYS ARE
SO GOOD AT THE GAME?
THOUGH YOU SWEAR THE AMERICAN DREAM
IS CLEARLY THE BEST
YOU'RE NO ADVERTISEMENT FOR
LIFE AND TIMES IN THE WEST
ENGLISH REPORTER
WHY DID YOU RISK THE WHOLE MATCH BREAKING DOWN?
FREDDIE
Wait a minute. What's that supposed to mean?
ENGLISH REPORTER
ALL YOUR OUTRAGEOUS DEMANDS, YOUR CONCEIT
FREDDIE
I don't see what's so outrageous about demanding what I am worth.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
THEY PAY YOU ALL THAT YOU ASK FOR
AND THEN YOU DEMAND EVEN MORE
FREDDIE
I am the reason you're all here! Who's ever heard of Sergievsky?
REPORTERS
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WHAT WE'RE REPORTING
WHY SO DISPARAGING? NOT VERY SPORTING
FREDDIE
So now the Commies are sporting? My God!
REPORTERS
TELL ALL THIS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ARE YOU AN ASSET TO EAST-WEST RELATIONS?
FREDDIE
Where do you get this? Tell me one thing the Russians ever did for East-West relations. Are there any serious questions?
BANGKOK REPORTER
WHAT'S YOUR IMPRESSION OF OUR LITTLE TOWN?
FREDDIE
You're kidding? It's hot, sleazy, yet somehow boring.
ENGLISH REPORTER
WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE PLAYED, LENINGRAD?
FREDDIE
Leningrad was an insulting Soviet suggestion.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
THEY ONLY TRIED TO BE FRIENDLY
THEY WOULD HAVE PLAYED IN NEW YORK
FREDDIE
Don't be naïve! You know what their motives are –
REPORTERS
YOU PROTEST TOO MUCH – WE SEE YOUR PLOY, A
BIG NOISE TO HIDE YOUR FEARS, PURE PARANOIA!
FREDDIE
(Dead serious.)
I'm not paranoid. They're out to get me.
REPORTERS
TELL ALL THIS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ARE YOU AN ASSET TO EAST-WEST RELATIONS?
FREDDIE
You cannot be serious!
GERMAN REPORTER
WILL YOU BE QUITTING FOR GOOD IF YOU LOSE?
FREDDIE
I'm not gonna dignify that with a response.
ENGLISH REPORTER
(Indicates FLORENCE.)
HOW COME YOUR SECOND'S A GIRL, LOVERBOY?
FREDDIE
What'd you say?
ENGLISH REPORTER
HOW COME YOUR SECOND'S A GIRL, LOVERBOY?
FREDDIE shoves ENGLISH REPORTER hard. He is caught by GERMAN REPORTER as FREDDIE storms off.
ENGLISH REPORTER
WELL, WHAT DID I SAY? HE'S OUT OF HIS TREE
HE'S FINALLY FLIPPED, AND BETWEEN YOU AND ME
GERMAN REPORTER
HE'S NO HOPE OF RETAINING HIS CROWN IN THIS FRAME OF MIND
IN FACT, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE COME BACK, HE SHOULD'VE RESIGNED
FLORENCE
(Directly to the ENGLISH REPORTER.)
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!
REPORTERS
MUCH BETTER TO QUIT
WHILE STILL NUMBER ONE
THAN CRASH TO DEFEAT,
REPUTATION UNDONE
THOUGH HE'S PROVED TO HIMSELF
IT'S A COMMUNIST PLOT
IF YOU ASK ME IT'S MONEY THAT DID IT
AND STARTED THE ROT
IT'S SAD THAT THE BEST
HIS COUNTRY'S PRODUCED
IS CRUMBLING IN FRONT OF OUR EYES
AND REDUCED TO A MINDLESS ABUSE
WHEN HE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL INSTEAD
REMEMBER, WE MADE HIM FAMOUS
WITHOUT US HE'S DEAD.
Scene Two
FREDDIE sits in front of a chessboard at his hotel suite while FLORENCE sets up the pieces. He runs afoot up her leg at one point, causing her to tip a piece over. They laugh, and she finishes setting the board up.
FREDDIE
Nice.
(He picks a white knight up before setting it down again.)
Very, very neat trick.
FLORENCE
Is there a way out?
FREDDIE
I don't think so. The trap's clever, but that's it. I wouldn't have fallen for it.
FLORENCE
Sergievsky did.
FREDDIE
So why are you showing me this?
FLORENCE
Sergievsky won this match.
FREDDIE
Then there's something wrong.
(Goes to adjust a piece; FLORENCE catches his hand.)
FLORENCE
I checked it fifty times. Trust me.
FREDDIE
What kind of idiot could lose...?
FLORENCE
Korchnoi.
FREDDIE
Jesus Christ, Florence. Korchnoi...okay, what's the joke?
FLORENCE
There's nothing funny about this. Sergievsky's not a cakewalk, Freddie.
FREDDIE
(Laying back on the bed, where a stack of newspapers and magazines are placed.)
Don't you have any confidence in me?
FLORENCE
You know I do! But you can't keep acting like Sergievsky can't play chess. He's the best to come along since –
FREDDIE
Since who?
FLORENCE
(Smiles.)
Since you.
FREDDIE
That's more like it. Anything else?
Commie Newspapers.
FLORENCE
WELL, WE CAN'T COMPLAIN
THAT YOU'RE BEING IGNORED BY THE PRESS
FREDDIE
Why, what'd they say?
FLORENCE
THEY'RE NOT TOO POLITE
FREDDIE
They say I'm a shit?
FLORENCE
Well, yes. They pulled you to pieces in
FIVE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES!
Here we are. The Times:
YOU "THRIVE ON UNPLEASANTNESS."
Le Monde: "Freddie Trumper la honte des echeques!"
FREDDIE
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN'T SEE MY GAME
I'M LIKE THAT TENNIS PLAYER, WHAT'S HIS NAME?
THEY LOVE TO HATE ME AND FOR US – THAT'S DOLLARS!
FLORENCE
Die Welt: "Trumper die gross lecker skandal die schatz!"
FREDDIE
HEY LOOK HERE'S A PIECE THAT SOME IDIOT'S DONE ON YOU.
"Florence Vassy. Stunning Hungarian born Jersey girl.
HIS GENTLE COMPANION." Huh! IF THEY ONLY KNEW!
FLORENCE
(Playfully tackles FREDDIE down on the bed.)
What do you mean? You know I'm always gentle with you.
BOTH
"SHE STANDS BY HER CHAMPION"
FREDDIE
I like this.
BOTH
"WHOSE DEMANDS ARE SO INFANTILE"
FREDDIE
Check that – I don't like this.
FLORENCE
IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT THEN IT'S UP TO YOU
THEY LIKE THE RUSSIAN, THEY COULD LIKE YOU TOO
FREDDIE
Commie newspapers!
OF COURSE THE BASTARDS ALL SUPPORT THE RUSSIAN
FLORENCE
BUT SERGIEVSKY SEEMS A SWEET OPPONENT
SO WHY DO YOU ABUSE HIM ALL THE TIME?
FREDDIE
He's still a commie, Florence. Remember what they did to you.
FLORENCE
Freddie, I love you very much. But please, just for once, don't go on about the Russians at the press conference.
(She helps him put on a sport jacket.)
Oh, and Freddie?
FREDDIE
Yeah?
FLORENCE
King to G3.
She kisses him as he smiles at the thought of the move. The bedroom set is taken away, and we see a handful of REPORTERS gather around FREDDIE, followed by CAMERAMEN.
FREDDIE
(Pointing to BANGKOK REPORTER, whose hat is rather goofy.)
You, in the stupid hat.
BANGKOK REPORTER
Mr. Trumper, what do you think of Anatoly Sergievsky's meteoric rise within the chess world?
FREDDIE
The Commies have been trying to beat me for three years. They're running scared. This new guy's no different.
GERMAN REPORTER
Mr. Trumper, how do you think this match will impact on American – Soviet relations?
FREDDIE
Well, let's see. When I win, I'll buy Brezhnev a plane ticket to Bangkok so he can kiss my ass personally.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
Do you worry that your sponsors will withdraw funding if we see a long series of draws?
FREDDIE
(Laughs.)
I don't think that's gonna be a problem.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
Well, in matches between equals, we've always –
FREDDIE
Who the hell said Sergievsky's my equal?
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
Well, your ELO ratings –
FREDDIE
Don't let the statistics fool you. I've got this Red's number and you damn well know it!
Press Conference.
ENGLISH REPORTER
DOES YOUR OPPONENT DESERVE SUCH ABUSE?
FREDDIE
All Soviets deserve abuse.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
BUT EVEN YOU MUST CONCEDE HE CAN PLAY
FREDDIE
He's the best Red on the circuit, I'll give him that.
GERMAN REPORTER
HE HASN'T LOST FOR A LONG TIME
HE COULD BE A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK
FREDDIE
Listen, if he gets one game off me, it's because I want to keep press interest going.
REPORTERS
WHY DO YOU PERSIST
IN VICIOUS ATTACKS?
UNGRACIOUS REMARKS RE:
OPPONENTS? IT SMACKS
OF A LACK OF CONVICTION, ADMIT
YOU'RE UNDER DURESS
AND THAT YOUR ONLY SKILL LEFT
IS FOR MONEY NOT CHESS
IF SOVIET LIFE'S
AS GRIM AS YOU CLAIM
THEN HOW COME THEIR BOYS ARE
SO GOOD AT THE GAME?
THOUGH YOU SWEAR THE AMERICAN DREAM
IS CLEARLY THE BEST
YOU'RE NO ADVERTISEMENT FOR
LIFE AND TIMES IN THE WEST
ENGLISH REPORTER
WHY DID YOU RISK THE WHOLE MATCH BREAKING DOWN?
FREDDIE
Wait a minute. What's that supposed to mean?
ENGLISH REPORTER
ALL YOUR OUTRAGEOUS DEMANDS, YOUR CONCEIT
FREDDIE
I don't see what's so outrageous about demanding what I am worth.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
THEY PAY YOU ALL THAT YOU ASK FOR
AND THEN YOU DEMAND EVEN MORE
FREDDIE
I am the reason you're all here! Who's ever heard of Sergievsky?
REPORTERS
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WHAT WE'RE REPORTING
WHY SO DISPARAGING? NOT VERY SPORTING
FREDDIE
So now the Commies are sporting? My God!
REPORTERS
TELL ALL THIS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ARE YOU AN ASSET TO EAST-WEST RELATIONS?
FREDDIE
Where do you get this? Tell me one thing the Russians ever did for East-West relations. Are there any serious questions?
BANGKOK REPORTER
WHAT'S YOUR IMPRESSION OF OUR LITTLE TOWN?
FREDDIE
You're kidding? It's hot, sleazy, yet somehow boring.
ENGLISH REPORTER
WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE PLAYED, LENINGRAD?
FREDDIE
Leningrad was an insulting Soviet suggestion.
AUSTRALIAN REPORTER
THEY ONLY TRIED TO BE FRIENDLY
THEY WOULD HAVE PLAYED IN NEW YORK
FREDDIE
Don't be naïve! You know what their motives are –
REPORTERS
YOU PROTEST TOO MUCH – WE SEE YOUR PLOY, A
BIG NOISE TO HIDE YOUR FEARS, PURE PARANOIA!
FREDDIE
(Dead serious.)
I'm not paranoid. They're out to get me.
REPORTERS
TELL ALL THIS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ARE YOU AN ASSET TO EAST-WEST RELATIONS?
FREDDIE
You cannot be serious!
GERMAN REPORTER
WILL YOU BE QUITTING FOR GOOD IF YOU LOSE?
FREDDIE
I'm not gonna dignify that with a response.
ENGLISH REPORTER
(Indicates FLORENCE.)
HOW COME YOUR SECOND'S A GIRL, LOVERBOY?
FREDDIE
What'd you say?
ENGLISH REPORTER
HOW COME YOUR SECOND'S A GIRL, LOVERBOY?
FREDDIE shoves ENGLISH REPORTER hard. He is caught by GERMAN REPORTER as FREDDIE storms off.
ENGLISH REPORTER
WELL, WHAT DID I SAY? HE'S OUT OF HIS TREE
HE'S FINALLY FLIPPED, AND BETWEEN YOU AND ME
GERMAN REPORTER
HE'S NO HOPE OF RETAINING HIS CROWN IN THIS FRAME OF MIND
IN FACT, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE COME BACK, HE SHOULD'VE RESIGNED
FLORENCE
(Directly to the ENGLISH REPORTER.)
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!
REPORTERS
MUCH BETTER TO QUIT
WHILE STILL NUMBER ONE
THAN CRASH TO DEFEAT,
REPUTATION UNDONE
THOUGH HE'S PROVED TO HIMSELF
IT'S A COMMUNIST PLOT
IF YOU ASK ME IT'S MONEY THAT DID IT
AND STARTED THE ROT
IT'S SAD THAT THE BEST
HIS COUNTRY'S PRODUCED
IS CRUMBLING IN FRONT OF OUR EYES
AND REDUCED TO A MINDLESS ABUSE
WHEN HE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL INSTEAD
REMEMBER, WE MADE HIM FAMOUS
WITHOUT US HE'S DEAD.