INT. TRAIN - DAY
A modestly sized compartment with a large window framed by burgundy
curtains. A woman - FLORENCE VASSY, early 30s - sits in her plush
seat. A leggy brown-eyed brunette with a default sad, contemplative
gaze - the kind of mystique a man would leave his homeland behind to
unravel. She has a saucer in one hand and a tea cup in the other. She
takes a sip.
SUBTITLE: "Italy, 1980"
FREDDIE (O.S.)
Your move.
Across from her sits Freddie, portable chess set in hand. She sets the
saucer and cup on the windowsill and leans over to the board. She
moves a piece.
FLORENCE
You've seen the headlines?
FREDDIE
(smiles)
Which one this time?
FLORENCE
The Post. Said you'd be better suited to
hockey.
FREDDIE
I'm not the physical type.
FLORENCE
They mentioned that. Something about how it
would be a merciful end to your career.
Freddie chuckles as he makes his move.
FREDDIE
Good.
FLORENCE
(responding immediately on the
board)
They're getting tired of the Commie-bashing.
Frankly, I'm sick of it, too.
FREDDIE
(leaning over the board)
Okay...then I'll just drop it at the press
conference?
He tries to kiss her; she turns her cheek.
FLORENCE
I don't think you can at this point.
He pecks her on the cheek and leans back, shifting in his seat.
Florence releases a knowing sigh and looks back at the board.
Freddie makes a move.
FADE TO:
INT. MOSCOW AIRPORT--AEROFLOT GATE
SUBTITLE: "Moscow Airport"
Anatoly sits alone in the waiting area, thumbing through a Russian
chess magazine. A split image of his face and Freddie's is on the
cover. ALEXANDER MOLOKOV, a slim, rugged, nearly bald man in his early
70s, sits across from him. He clears his throat, looks back to the
gate, then at the magazine cover.
MOLOKOV
(perusing the cover image)
A formidable adversary.
(looks back up)
With a formidable second. They work well
together, I understand.
ANATOLY
(turns a page)
You understand...
More stony silence between as announcements come over the airport's
loudspeakers in the background. Then:
MOLOKOV
You have been preparing for the match, I hope?
Anatoly turns another page.
MOLOKOV (CONT'D)
I ask, because Trumper doubtlessly has. And
you haven't approached me for (the past week) -
ANATOLY
I have, in my own way.
MOLOKOV
And what way is that?
(No response. He sighs.)
How is your wife?
ANATOLY
Well.
MOLOKOV
And did you ask her anything beyond that? Is
that what you disappeared for a week for?
ANATOLY
She is fine.
MOLOKOV
Good. Here...
(removes a book from his coat
pocket, entitled "Trumper-Karpov,
1978," the same volume in Anatoly's
apartment)
You forgot to pack this.
Anatoly looks up and eyes Molokov warily. He closes his magazine,
takes the book, and lifts up his briefcase. He opens it.
MOLOKOV (CONT'D)
An interesting volume.
ANATOLY
(as he puts the book in the
briefcase)
I am rated higher than Karpov -
MOLOKOV
And Trumper is rated higher than you, even
without American inflation.
ANATOLY
He's mad...
MOLOKOV
He has a title! Which is more than I can say
for you.
An announcement, louder than those in the background, is heard in
Russian.
MOLOKOV (CONT'D)
(gets up)
Come, we are boarding now.
Molokov walks to the gate. Anatoly folds his magazine and stuffs it
inside the briefcase. He starts to close it when he takes notice of
the magazine cover. CU on the picture.
ANATOLY
WHO NEEDS A DREAM?
A MUSIC BOX begins to play, as though accompanying a dancing, tattered
marionette.
ANATOLY (CONT'D)
(closes the briefcase)
WHO NEEDS AMBITION?
He gets up and trudges along to the gate, briefcase in hand.
ANATOLY (CONT'D)
WHO'D BE THE FOOL
IN MY POSITION?
He hands his ticket to the flight attendant and boards.
FADE TO:
INT. PIONEERS' PALACE--STUDIO - DAY
A TEACHER sits across from YOUNG ANATOLY (age 10), a chessboard between
them. No one else is in the room. Ornate Russian paintings and décor
adorn the walls.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
ONCE, I HAD DREAMS
CU HANDS
As they set up the board.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
NOW THEY'RE OBSESSIONS
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. PIONEERS' PALACE--GREAT HALL
Mid-game. Start on a CU of two players' hands, from the same angle as
in the previous shot.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
HOPES BECAME NEEDS
LOVERS, POSSESSIONS
Pan through the spectators in attendance. Their expressions are pale
and motionless.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
THEN THEY MOVE IN
OH, SO DISCREETLY
(Muted applause from the crowd.)
SLOWLY AT FIRST
LATER
Molokov and Anatoly shake hands as most of the spectators file out. A
beautiful woman with her back turned stands next to Molokov.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
SMILING TOO SWEETLY
Molokov turns the woman around to face Anatoly. It is Svetlana – she
is the epitome of Soviet decadence here, as richly decorated and
opulent as the palace surrounding her. She could pass for a Bond Girl.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I OPENED DOORS
She offers her gloved hand; Anatoly looks at it, then at Molokov.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
THEY WALKED RIGHT THROUGH THEM
Molokov nods. Anatoly looks at Svetlana, who smiles aristocratically.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
CALLED ME THEIR FRIEND -
CU SVETLANA'S HAND
PAN, following it as it comes closer to meeting his lips.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I HARDLY KNEW THEM
NOW I'M...
CUT TO:
INT. ANATOLY'S APARTMENT, MOSCOW - EVENING
Anatoly sits in his leather armchair, a stark and wooden chess set in
front of him. Molokov sits across from him, and Svetlana stands behind
him, again rubbing his shoulders. Her appearance has changed back to
as it was in her introduction.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
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!
Anatoly lurches forward to escape Svetlana's hands as he and Molokov go
through a set of swift, vicious exchanges on the board.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
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!
INT. AIRPLANE--FLIGHT TO ITALY - NIGHT
Anatoly sits next to the window, head cocked to the side and looking
passively through it. Everyone else on board is asleep.
ANATOLY
WHEN THE CRAZY WHEEL SLOWS DOWN
WHERE WILL I BE?
BACK WHERE I STARTED...
FADE TO:
INT. ANATOLY'S APARTMENT, MOSCOW--KITCHEN - MORNING
Anatoly is seated at a table, staring at a table placing. Svetlana
brings him plates of cold cuts, cheese, bread, and butter. He just
stares at them.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
DON'T GET ME WRONG
I'M NOT COMPLAINING
INT. AIRPLANE--FLIGHT TO ITALY - DAWN
Anatoly shifts in his seat and ends up staring at the ceiling. The
cabin lights come on to indicate the plane is about to land.
ANATOLY
TIMES HAVE BEEN GOOD
FAST, ENTERTAINING
INT. ANATOLY'S APARTMENT, MOSCOW--KITCHEN - MORNING
Anatoly gets up from the table without having touched his food.
Svetlana looks after him longingly and starts to clear his place.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
BUT WHAT'S THE POINT
IF I'M CONCEALING
INT. AIRPLANE--FLIGHT TO ITALY - DAWN
The plane is stopped; he grabs his luggage from the overhead
compartment and walks down the aisle.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
NOT ONLY LOVE
ALL OTHER FEELING...
INT. BALZANO AIRPORT - MORNING
Anatoly steps out of the gate and is immediately flanked by a dozen
microphones from American and international television affiliates.
ANATOLY
(to the press)
NOW I'M -
WHERE I WANT TO BE
AND WHO I WANT TO BE
AND DOING WHAT I ALWAYS SAID I WOULD
Molokov and his aides hurry Anatoly along.
ANATOLY (CONT'D)
AND YET I FEEL I HAVEN'T WON AT ALL!
INT. ANATOLY'S APARTMENT, MOSCOW--BATHROOM - DAY
Anatoly runs some water from the sink and splashes it on his face. He
rubs it in, relishing in it.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
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!
He looks at himself in the mirror and after a beat notices Svetlana
standing behind him, holding one of the dishes she had cleared away.
He turns and looks at her.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
WHEN THE CRAZY WHEEL SLOWS DOWN...
WHERE WILL I BE?
EXT. BALZANO AIRPORT - MORNING
A luxurious black limo is waiting for Anatoly. He is swiftly ushered
into it amidst a gaggle of KGB agents and other escorts.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
BACK WHERE I STARTED...
INT. LIMOUSINE - MOMENTS LATER
Anatoly watches the view through the car window as it begins to move.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TRAIN
The Italian countryside continues to pass by the bay window outside
Freddie and Florence's compartment.
A modestly sized compartment with a large window framed by burgundy
curtains. A woman - FLORENCE VASSY, early 30s - sits in her plush
seat. A leggy brown-eyed brunette with a default sad, contemplative
gaze - the kind of mystique a man would leave his homeland behind to
unravel. She has a saucer in one hand and a tea cup in the other. She
takes a sip.
SUBTITLE: "Italy, 1980"
FREDDIE (O.S.)
Your move.
Across from her sits Freddie, portable chess set in hand. She sets the
saucer and cup on the windowsill and leans over to the board. She
moves a piece.
FLORENCE
You've seen the headlines?
FREDDIE
(smiles)
Which one this time?
FLORENCE
The Post. Said you'd be better suited to
hockey.
FREDDIE
I'm not the physical type.
FLORENCE
They mentioned that. Something about how it
would be a merciful end to your career.
Freddie chuckles as he makes his move.
FREDDIE
Good.
FLORENCE
(responding immediately on the
board)
They're getting tired of the Commie-bashing.
Frankly, I'm sick of it, too.
FREDDIE
(leaning over the board)
Okay...then I'll just drop it at the press
conference?
He tries to kiss her; she turns her cheek.
FLORENCE
I don't think you can at this point.
He pecks her on the cheek and leans back, shifting in his seat.
Florence releases a knowing sigh and looks back at the board.
Freddie makes a move.
FADE TO:
INT. MOSCOW AIRPORT--AEROFLOT GATE
SUBTITLE: "Moscow Airport"
Anatoly sits alone in the waiting area, thumbing through a Russian
chess magazine. A split image of his face and Freddie's is on the
cover. ALEXANDER MOLOKOV, a slim, rugged, nearly bald man in his early
70s, sits across from him. He clears his throat, looks back to the
gate, then at the magazine cover.
MOLOKOV
(perusing the cover image)
A formidable adversary.
(looks back up)
With a formidable second. They work well
together, I understand.
ANATOLY
(turns a page)
You understand...
More stony silence between as announcements come over the airport's
loudspeakers in the background. Then:
MOLOKOV
You have been preparing for the match, I hope?
Anatoly turns another page.
MOLOKOV (CONT'D)
I ask, because Trumper doubtlessly has. And
you haven't approached me for (the past week) -
ANATOLY
I have, in my own way.
MOLOKOV
And what way is that?
(No response. He sighs.)
How is your wife?
ANATOLY
Well.
MOLOKOV
And did you ask her anything beyond that? Is
that what you disappeared for a week for?
ANATOLY
She is fine.
MOLOKOV
Good. Here...
(removes a book from his coat
pocket, entitled "Trumper-Karpov,
1978," the same volume in Anatoly's
apartment)
You forgot to pack this.
Anatoly looks up and eyes Molokov warily. He closes his magazine,
takes the book, and lifts up his briefcase. He opens it.
MOLOKOV (CONT'D)
An interesting volume.
ANATOLY
(as he puts the book in the
briefcase)
I am rated higher than Karpov -
MOLOKOV
And Trumper is rated higher than you, even
without American inflation.
ANATOLY
He's mad...
MOLOKOV
He has a title! Which is more than I can say
for you.
An announcement, louder than those in the background, is heard in
Russian.
MOLOKOV (CONT'D)
(gets up)
Come, we are boarding now.
Molokov walks to the gate. Anatoly folds his magazine and stuffs it
inside the briefcase. He starts to close it when he takes notice of
the magazine cover. CU on the picture.
ANATOLY
WHO NEEDS A DREAM?
A MUSIC BOX begins to play, as though accompanying a dancing, tattered
marionette.
ANATOLY (CONT'D)
(closes the briefcase)
WHO NEEDS AMBITION?
He gets up and trudges along to the gate, briefcase in hand.
ANATOLY (CONT'D)
WHO'D BE THE FOOL
IN MY POSITION?
He hands his ticket to the flight attendant and boards.
FADE TO:
INT. PIONEERS' PALACE--STUDIO - DAY
A TEACHER sits across from YOUNG ANATOLY (age 10), a chessboard between
them. No one else is in the room. Ornate Russian paintings and décor
adorn the walls.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
ONCE, I HAD DREAMS
CU HANDS
As they set up the board.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
NOW THEY'RE OBSESSIONS
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. PIONEERS' PALACE--GREAT HALL
Mid-game. Start on a CU of two players' hands, from the same angle as
in the previous shot.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
HOPES BECAME NEEDS
LOVERS, POSSESSIONS
Pan through the spectators in attendance. Their expressions are pale
and motionless.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
THEN THEY MOVE IN
OH, SO DISCREETLY
(Muted applause from the crowd.)
SLOWLY AT FIRST
LATER
Molokov and Anatoly shake hands as most of the spectators file out. A
beautiful woman with her back turned stands next to Molokov.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
SMILING TOO SWEETLY
Molokov turns the woman around to face Anatoly. It is Svetlana – she
is the epitome of Soviet decadence here, as richly decorated and
opulent as the palace surrounding her. She could pass for a Bond Girl.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I OPENED DOORS
She offers her gloved hand; Anatoly looks at it, then at Molokov.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
THEY WALKED RIGHT THROUGH THEM
Molokov nods. Anatoly looks at Svetlana, who smiles aristocratically.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
CALLED ME THEIR FRIEND -
CU SVETLANA'S HAND
PAN, following it as it comes closer to meeting his lips.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I HARDLY KNEW THEM
NOW I'M...
CUT TO:
INT. ANATOLY'S APARTMENT, MOSCOW - EVENING
Anatoly sits in his leather armchair, a stark and wooden chess set in
front of him. Molokov sits across from him, and Svetlana stands behind
him, again rubbing his shoulders. Her appearance has changed back to
as it was in her introduction.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
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!
Anatoly lurches forward to escape Svetlana's hands as he and Molokov go
through a set of swift, vicious exchanges on the board.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
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!
INT. AIRPLANE--FLIGHT TO ITALY - NIGHT
Anatoly sits next to the window, head cocked to the side and looking
passively through it. Everyone else on board is asleep.
ANATOLY
WHEN THE CRAZY WHEEL SLOWS DOWN
WHERE WILL I BE?
BACK WHERE I STARTED...
FADE TO:
INT. ANATOLY'S APARTMENT, MOSCOW--KITCHEN - MORNING
Anatoly is seated at a table, staring at a table placing. Svetlana
brings him plates of cold cuts, cheese, bread, and butter. He just
stares at them.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
DON'T GET ME WRONG
I'M NOT COMPLAINING
INT. AIRPLANE--FLIGHT TO ITALY - DAWN
Anatoly shifts in his seat and ends up staring at the ceiling. The
cabin lights come on to indicate the plane is about to land.
ANATOLY
TIMES HAVE BEEN GOOD
FAST, ENTERTAINING
INT. ANATOLY'S APARTMENT, MOSCOW--KITCHEN - MORNING
Anatoly gets up from the table without having touched his food.
Svetlana looks after him longingly and starts to clear his place.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
BUT WHAT'S THE POINT
IF I'M CONCEALING
INT. AIRPLANE--FLIGHT TO ITALY - DAWN
The plane is stopped; he grabs his luggage from the overhead
compartment and walks down the aisle.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
NOT ONLY LOVE
ALL OTHER FEELING...
INT. BALZANO AIRPORT - MORNING
Anatoly steps out of the gate and is immediately flanked by a dozen
microphones from American and international television affiliates.
ANATOLY
(to the press)
NOW I'M -
WHERE I WANT TO BE
AND WHO I WANT TO BE
AND DOING WHAT I ALWAYS SAID I WOULD
Molokov and his aides hurry Anatoly along.
ANATOLY (CONT'D)
AND YET I FEEL I HAVEN'T WON AT ALL!
INT. ANATOLY'S APARTMENT, MOSCOW--BATHROOM - DAY
Anatoly runs some water from the sink and splashes it on his face. He
rubs it in, relishing in it.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
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!
He looks at himself in the mirror and after a beat notices Svetlana
standing behind him, holding one of the dishes she had cleared away.
He turns and looks at her.
ANATOLY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
WHEN THE CRAZY WHEEL SLOWS DOWN...
WHERE WILL I BE?
EXT. BALZANO AIRPORT - MORNING
A luxurious black limo is waiting for Anatoly. He is swiftly ushered
into it amidst a gaggle of KGB agents and other escorts.
ANATOLY (V.O.)
BACK WHERE I STARTED...
INT. LIMOUSINE - MOMENTS LATER
Anatoly watches the view through the car window as it begins to move.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TRAIN
The Italian countryside continues to pass by the bay window outside
Freddie and Florence's compartment.