1) The world chess championship match between American champion Frederick Trumper and Soviet challenger Anatoly Sergievsky is set to begin in Bangkok, Thailand amidst great excitement and media attention. 2) Both sides make objections and accusations against each other during the opening ceremony, with Trumper's second Florence Vassy and Sergievsky's advisor Molokov playing key roles. 3) The arbiter oversees the proceedings and ensures a fair match will occur, overruling all objections while maintaining control over the event.

1. Chess
Music: Benny Andersson + Bjцrn Ulvaeus
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Book: Tim Rice
Premiere: Wednesday, May 14, 1986
Broadway record: 1988
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----------
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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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 --

10. 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

11. (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

12. 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!

13. (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

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

15. 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

16. 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....

17. "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?

18. 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
Yes I'm the ARBITER and I know best
ASSISTANTS
He's impartial, don't push him, he's unimpressed.
(dance sequence)

19. ARBITER
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
From square one I'll be watching all 64
ASSISTANTS
From square one he'll be watching all 64
ARBITER
Oh I'm the ARBITER, I know the score
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.

20. (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
You got your tricks?
Good for you!
But there's no gambit
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.

21. 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!

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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
A model of decorum and tranquility
Become like any other sport
A battleground for rival ideologies
To slug it out with glee
(They all sing their verses over each other)
ALL
A model of decorum and tranquility
Become like any other sport
A battleground for rival ideologies
To slug it out with glee
ARBITER
Miss Vassy...!
FLORENCE

27. 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?

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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,

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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?

35. 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)

36. 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.

37. 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"

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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
Nobody's on nobody's side
FLORENCE
The one I should not think of

41. 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
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
(behind a screen, Florence dresses for the evening)
(dance break)
FLORENCE
Never take a stranger's advice
Never let a friend fool you twice
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never be the first to believe
Never be the last to deceive
FLORENCE AND DRESSERS
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never leave a moment too soon
Never waste a hot afternoon

42. 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
Scene 8: The Generous Sole Terrace Bar
Better learn to go it alone
Recognize you're out on your own
Nobody's on nobody's side
(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