Endgame

Chapter Nine: Scene Four - Tension Mounts In Merano

(Once more the magically created stage lights come back up and you are again inside the spectacular setting for the match. It is the first match of the championship and the tension runs high between the two champions facing each other. Also present are SILVIUS, MOLOKOV, and the ARBITER and his assistants. Throughout the scene we see and hear commentaries on the big match. The two players say nothing during this scene, however, their manner at the board becomes more and more agitated with each move.)

TV PRESENTER #1 (on a television screen)

The opening match of the World Chess Championships got underway today in the small Tyrolean town of Merano, Italy. The title, which will be contested between the current world champion Frederick Trumper and the Soviet challenger Anatoly Sergievsky, will go to the first man who wins six clear games. Experts are predicting that since many games may be drawn, the contest could last as long as two months. The political overtones of this contest between a Russian and an American has attracted more than usual interest for a match which is increasingly taking on the aspects of a confrontation between East and West.

TV PRESENTER #2 (takes the place of the first presenter on the television screen)

This is Kurt Johnson reporting for CBN News in Merano, Italy. This new style of attack by Trumper is either brilliant or crazy, I don't know which. Frederick's giving up his bishop just to trap the Russian's king in the centre. It's a fantastic idea, if it works. Trumper's won the white queen and I think that spells curtains for Mr. Sergievsky.

TV PRESENTER #3 (replaces the second presenter on the television screen)

And now for a further report, we go to our chess expert, Will Hodson here in Merano.

HODSON (now on the television screen)

The world championship match here in Merano has begun with what looks like a rather dramatic victory for the American champion. Trumper with the black pieces just attacked from the start. All the books say you must defend with black in the early stages but Trumper's always been someone to break the rules. He just attacked from the word go. Sergievsky so far hasn't landed a decent punch in the whole game. Trumper sacrificed a pawn, then a bishop, broke through Sergievsky's king defense, and when Sergievsky resigned in this position in front of me, he was just hopelessly behind on material. This looks like a drastic defeat for the Russian and a brilliant victory for Trumper.

(During this presentation the tension mounts to an all new high. Both players suddenly get up from the board and get into a near-fight which ends with FREDERICK pushing ANATOLY into the table, spilling the board and pieces over the floor. FREDERICK then walks out of the arena leaving behind a shocked SILVIUS, an angry Russian delegation, and the ARBITER who is not looking very happy at all.)

TV PRESENTER #6 (takes HODSON's place on the TV screen)

There's been a sensational development here in the very first game of the world Chess
Championships here in the snow-covered Tyrolean town of Merano, Italy. The board and
the pieces have been thrown to the floor in disgust by both players, and the
champion has walked out in a rage...

(The lights go dim. When they come back up you are once again back in the arena. It is now a few days after the first game, which was yielded to FREDERICK despite their behaviours. Once again the two men face each other over a chessboard, and once more the tension is high between them. During the game ANATOLY is delivered a tray with some yogurt on it just like in the first game, however this time FREDERICK grows suspicious...)

FREDDIE (points to Anatoly's yogurt): Put that down!

ANATOLY: What do you mean put it down? Why should I?

FREDDIE (makes a grab for the container): The yogurt, give it here, let me see that.

ANATOLY (pulls the yogurt container back): Get away!

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

SILVIUS (rushes over to the table): Check it for what, Freddie?

ARBITER (comes over now to see what the fuss is): What is going on here?

FREDDIE (points to Anatoly): I want to check the yogurt.

ANATOLY: Why should I let you look in my yogurt?

FREDDIE: It's strawberry.

ANATOLY: Yes, I believe it is. And?

FREDDIE: Before that in the first game it was banana.

ANATOLY: So?

FREDDIE (looks at Silvius and the Arbiter): Don't you see it? They're cheating!

ARBITER: Mr. Trumper...

FREDDIE (looking disgusted): Don't be so goddamn naive! Look at that! Now I demand that he no longer be served yogurt. And I want an apology!

ANATOLY (glaring at Frederick): Never!

SILVIUS (looking back and forth between the two men): 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 (gets up angrily): If you won't do anything then this match is over!

(FREDERICK leaves the arena. SILVIUS, ANATOLY, MOLOKOV and The ARBITER are left behind to pick up the pieces of yet another fiasco. Neither side is happy with the situation, the Russians especially...)

MOLOKOV

We wish, no must, make our disgust at this abuse perfectly clear
We're here for chess. Are the US? If so, why foul the atmosphere?

SILVIUS (simultaneously with MOLOKOV's speech below)

I must protest - our delegation has a host of valid points to raise
Our player's sporting attitude's beyond all praise
As any neutral would attest

But we concede the fact his masters bend the rules is not a player's fault--
We'll overlook their crude political assault and under protest will proceed

MOLOKOV

We wish, no must, make our disgust at this abuse perfectly clear
We're here for chess. Are the US? How can you make such a claim?

MOLOKOV (sings simultaneously with The ARBITER's verse below)

If your man's so sweet
Then why his fighting talk?
If he's not a cheat
Then why on earth
Did he go take a walk?

ARBITER

Point 17
No one-way screen
Will be allowed
In the hall

MOLOKOV (sings his verse along with SILVIUS's verses below)

Why let him loose?
He'll soon reduce
This great event
To a brawl

It's very sad
To see the ancient and
Distinguished game
That used to be

SILVIUS

I am not surprised
He wanted fresher air
Once he realised
There was no hope
Of your lot playing fair

How sad
To see
What used
To be

BOTH SILVIUS and MOLOKOV

A model of decorum and tranquility
Become like any other sport
A battleground for rival ideologies
To slug it out with glee

ANATOLY (at the same time as MOLOKOV below)

Through the elegant yelling
Of this compelling dispute
Comes the ghastly suspicion
My opposition's a fruit

MOLOKOV

We wish, no must, make our disgust
At this abuse perfectly clear
We're here for chess. Are the US?
If so, why foul the atmosphere?

SILVIUS (along with The ARBITER below)

I don't suppose
You understand the strain and pressure
Getting where he's got
For then you'd simply call him
Highly strung and not
Imply that he was one of those

ARBITER

Point 23
The board will be
Made in Sweden
Non-aligned wood

MOLOKOV (will background his verses through both SILVIUS and ANATOLY's next verses)

It seems to us
There's little point in waiting here
All night for his return
And since a peaceful match
Is our sole concern

We won't make an official fuss
In short we rise
Above your guy's
Tantrums, dramas,
Dirty tricks

ANATOLY (begins)

But how can you
Work for one who
Treats you like dirt?
Pay must be good

SILVIUS (joins in after ANATOLY is finished)

I'm not getting rich
My only interest
Is in something which
Gives me the chance
Of working with the best

ANATOLY (sings at same time as ARBITER's verses below)

I can only say
I hope your dream comes true
Till that far-off day
I hope you cope
With helping number two

ARBITER

Point 31
No game begun
By noon goes on
After six

ANATOLY and SILVIUS

How sad
To see

ARBITER and MOLOKOV (matching in time with ANATOLY and SILVIUS above)

It's very sad
To see the ancient
And 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

(after the song SILVIUS walks out for a few moments and comes back in, a determined look on his face)

ARBITER: Mister Vassy, it is time for explanations. What is to be your position?

SILVIUS: 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: Mr. Vassy, let me remind you that the eyes of the world are on Merano. 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.

(The ARBITER and his assistants exit)

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

MOLOKOV (to Silvius): My friend, in the spirit of Malta, why can't we just play chess?

SILVIUS: You have the nerve to ask me that?

MOLOKOV: I'm merely a chess second -

SILVIUS: 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, Mr. Vassy.

SILVIUS (to Anatoly): Look, 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. 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 (ignoring MOLOKOV): Would it?

MOLOKOV: Anatoly, you can't possibly agree to this!

SILVIUS: 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, Mister Vassy.

SILVIUS: 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....

SILVIUS: I know restaurants too, Mr. Molokov.

ANATOLY: Perfect! Travelling with my own chef, I have yet to sample the local cuisine. Shall we choose? I have a Merano food guide, let me go get it.

(ANATOLY leaves the arena)

MOLOKOV (turns to look at Silvius thoughtfully): The game is greater than its players, Mister Vassy - how true!

I don't know how you can allow this
Harm to be done to chess, and how this
Baby of yours can be persuaded
Back to the game

SILVIUS: Easy. You stop playing politics and you start playing chess. Your man was clearly following orders. He was up to some sort of bust-up from the word go...

I don't know how you have the gall to
Criticize us when it is all too
Obvious this is what you wanted -
We get the blame

MOLOKOV:

You really are mad! He has no orders!
Now let me put my cards upon your table
If he is aggrieved then who can blame him?
He is up against a man who's less than stable

SILVIUS: Freddie less than stable? You're goading him -

Who rocked his chair throughout the match then?
Who sniffed and coughed, began to scratch then
Played with his flag and tapped his fingers?
Then took a walk!
Your precious boy!

MOLOKOV: A piccydillo -

SILVIUS: Peccadillo.

MOLOKOV: - peccadillo compared with the neurotic behaviour of Trumper -

SILVIUS:

Listen, you Plutocratic throwback
You and your cronies want to go back
Home to your dachas, not the saltmines?
We better talk

MOLOKOV: I wish, Silviuz (mispronounces his name on purpose) -

SILVIUS: Silvius.

MOLOKOV: - you would refrain from cheap political jibes at a time when cooperation between us is vital. Besides, I thought you would be reluctant to criticize fellow Eastern Europeans -

SILVIUS: Fellow Eastern Europeans! I was born a Hungarian. Remember Hungary? I wish I could. I was only five when you bastards moved in. I have no memory of my homeland, my people, my mother and father - all taken from me by you- and you call yourself a fellow Eastern European!

MOLOKOV:

Come now, Mister Vassy, we're digressing
Back to the point, let's start addressing
All our attention to the World Chess Championship -

SILVIUS (after a long pause in which he wonders whether to contemplate any further dealings with this man, he decides he has no choice. Silvius then takes out a piece of paper from his pocket): Forget the guide. Meet us at The Merano Mountain Inn - famous for its peace and tranquility - that's where I want you to deliver me one Soviet Grandmaster...

(MOLOKOV takes the paper, looks it over and nods his head. They both seem to have reached an agreement and leave the arena going in opposite directions. The lights once again go dim)


*Backstage...*

'All right, who's brilliant idea was it to put blueberry in the strawberry container?' Severus snapped.

'Oh err...sorry Professor, that was my fault,' Harry said quietly. 'I forgot to tell you that Neville ate the strawberry so we had to switch the containers.'

'Oh that's just typical of Longbottom now isn't it!' Severus grumbled.

'Severus, stop whinging. You like blueberry better anyway,' Remus said.

'That isn't the point, Lupin. If props are going to go missing- '

'Snape, drop it. The kid was nervous, be grateful it was something as simple as yogurt for Merlin sake,' Sirius muttered. 'Can we just hurry and get this next scene over with already?'

'Have a problem with the next scene, Black?' Severus asked sweetly.

'Yes, as a matter of fact I do, and you know it, Snape!' Sirius said irritably.

'Sirius, what's the big deal? I don't see anything wrong with the scene,' Harry said.

'It's not the scene itself...it's what happens at the end of the scene I don't like!' Sirius said and glared at Severus.

'It's part of the scene, Black, whether you like it or not,' Severus said.

'Don't give me that, you greasy git, you could have taken it out! Gods know you've changed all of Remy's other scenes to fit his part!' Sirius said.

'I re-wrote this as I saw fit, Black. I don't recall needing your permission to do anything!' Severus said angrily and with saying that turned and stalked off to the other side of the wings.

'Typical. Stupid prat always runs away when things get rough,' Sirius mumbled.

'Sirius, enough!' Remus said.

'But Remy- '

'I said enough, Sirius,' Remus said firmly. 'Harry, take Sirius and get him ready for the next scene won't you?'

Harry nodded. 'Come on, Sirius, we don't have time for arguing now,' he said quietly and began to walk away.

Sirius however turned back and looked at Remus a moment. 'Do you really have to go through with this, Remy?'

'It's a bit late to do anything about it now, Sirius,' Remus said.

'Can't you at least fake it?' Sirius asked, almost pleaded.

Remus sighed. 'No,' he said quietly.

Sirius stared at Remus warily for a moment, then sighed deeply. 'Is this what you really want, Remus? Remember what he did to you three years ago...'

'That was then, this is now,' Remus said.

'You're opening a big can of worms doing this, Remy. Don't say I didn't warn you when he turns away afterwards in disgust,' Sirius muttered.

'You can tell me what I fool I am then. Now go on, Harry's waiting for you,' Remus said.

Sirius just shook his head. 'You are a fool, Remus, not going to even wait to tell you that. But I know all too well that Fate's a fickle thing...daft and blind as well if you ask me.'

Remus chuckled. 'And you are one to know that first hand, Sirius. I know you're trying to keep me from getting hurt again, but if there's any hope...even the slimmest chance that what I sensed from him earlier was real...then I'm going to take that slim hope. It's got to start somewhere anyway,' he said with a nervous smile.

'You're one daft werewolf, Remus Lupin, and I love you dearly...but if he hurts you again I will kill him,' Sirius said half teasingly, half quite seriously.

Remus laughed softly and nodded, smiling broadly now. 'Deal.Now go, you're going to be late for the next scene,' he said and turned Sirius round and nudged him away.

'All right, all right, I'm going. I just hope you know what you're doing, Moony,' Sirius muttered, and with that he went off in towards where Harry was still waiting on him.

Remus watched him go for a moment with a thoughtful expression on his face. 'So do I, Padfoot, so do I...'