Endgame

Chapter Eleven: Act One: Scene Six - Resignation

(The lights come back up and you are in the lobby of The Palace Hotel. FREDDIE and SILVIUS are returning to their suite, though both are still agitated about the scene in the restaurant.)

SILVIUS: Freddie, what kind of a fool do you think I am? Do you think I don't know what he's up to? He's using me to upset you.

FREDDIE: And he's doing a very good job.

SILVIUS: I promise you that it will never happen again. I've apologised a dozen times. I don't know what else to say.

FREDDIE: I don't know what else to believe.

(a Bellman approaches)

BELLMAN: Mister Vassy?

SILVIUS: Yes, what is it?

BELLMAN: There's a call for you. You can take it on the house phone.

FREDDIE: Go. Take the call. You're right, we can't let these cheap psychological ploys get to us like this.

SILVIUS (walks away and goes over to a house phone): This is Silvius Vassy. There's a call for me?

(NIKOLI, a member of the Soviet delegation enters the lobby and walks up to FREDDIE)

NIKOLI: Excuse me, Mr. Trumper? I don't quite know how to ask this....

FREDDIE: Why don't you give it a shot?

NIKOLI: May I have your autograph, please?

FREDDIE: Aren't you Molokov's assistant?

NIKOLI: Yes, but I am also a chess fan. Please write 'to Nikolai.'

(SILVIUS meanwhile is still waiting on his phone call)

OPERATOR: Mister Vassy, sorry on the delay, we are putting your call through now. We are delighted to be of service.

SILVIUS (into phone): Hello?

ANATOLY (on the other end of the phone): It's me.

SILVIUS: Anatoly, why are you calling me here?

ANATOLY: When can I see you again?

SILVIUS: Anatoly, don't do this, you know I can't. We are from different countries. Different worlds. There's no future in this.

ANATOLY: You can't tell me you won't see me again. I know you will. I knew it from the way you kissed me. Please, Silvius. We must see each other again - tonight.

SILVIUS: No. That's impossible. And please, don't call me again. (hangs up the phone though doesn't move yet, he's clearly too upset to do anything)

(WALTER enters the lobby now and sees FREDDIE and makes a beeline for him. NIKOLI walks away as WALTER walks up to FREDDIE)

WALTER: You know, Freddie, there must be 20,000 Nikolaisin the Soviet Union, we should find somebody to penetrate that market.

(SILVIUS now walks back over to FREDDIE)

FREDDIE (to SILVIUS): And who was that? It was him, wasn't it?

SILVIUS: We have to keep our minds on the match.

FREDDIE: He couldn't even wait until you got back to your room?

SILVIUS: Freddie, I didn't call him, he called me. And I told him I never wanted to see him again, I swear it.

FREDDIE: It is hard for me to imagine you getting yourself in this position. He is my opponent, after all. If I didn't know you better, I'd say it almost seems like sabotage.

SILVIUS: Freddie....

FREDDIE: Silvius, what do you think you're doing? Just keep your mind on the game!

(WALTER and FREDDIE exit the lobby leaving SILVIUS behind. ANATOLY enters and goes over to SILVIUS)

ANATOLY: There's no easy way for me to tell you this....

SILVIUS (looks at him in astonishment, then looks round the lobby in worry): Why did you come here? I can't be seen with you.

ANATOLY: You changed my life....

SILVIUS: You're talking like a crazy man. We don't even know each other.

ANATOLY: I know that, but it doesn't matter. You are a courageous man, a strong man. I...I am in love with you, Silvius.

SILVIUS (looks at ANATOLY in shock, then in suspicion): That's not possible. You were confused by someone who has not been kissed in a long time. I'm not the person you're talking about.

ANATOLY (takes SILVIUS into his arms and holds him tightly): You are.

SILVIUS: No, I'm not.

ANATOLY: You are, Silvius.

SILVIUS (unsurity now in his voice): No, I can't be that man...

(He however begins to respond to ANATOLY's embrace, and eventually his kiss)

(breaks off the kiss) No, Anatoly....we are from different countries, different worlds. Even if it were possible, there's no future in this.

ANATOLY: I believe you feel something for me, but I know you are committed to Freddie right now. I see how he treats you though, it's not right. Maybe after this match is over and we're no longer opponents, will you give me a chance then...?

SILVIUS (sighs and moves away from ANATOLY, looking back at him sadly): I'm sorry, I can't do that. There's no chance for us Anatoly, please leave me alone.

(SILVIUS walks out of the lobby)

ANATOLY (watches him go, a determined look on his face): You're wrong, Silvius. There's no chance for Trumper! He's finished!

(ANATOLY exits the lobby. The lights go dim for a few moments and when they come back at you are taken back to the Arena. ANATOLY and FREDERICK are sitting at the chessboard, both concentrating on their moves. The tension is thicker than ever between them, both know how much seems to be at stake on the outcome of this championship, though each have different goals...)

ANNOUNCER: We're here at the World Chess Federation championship, where play resumes after completion of the first draw last weekend. No early trends as yet, although Trumper....

(As the ANNOUNCER trails off the scene now 'speeds up'. Although ANATOLY and FREDERICK do not move from their positions at the chessboard, 'time' is moving ahead rapidly)

ARBITER: The score in the World Chess Federation championship now stands at two victories to one, with one draw.

ANNOUNCER: Entering the second week of the match, we....

(A cacophony of television and radio commentators become background noise as the match heats up)

ARBITER: The score now stands at three victories to one with three draws...

ANNOUNCER: ...action has resumed at the World Chess Federation championship. Time and again over the week, the Soviet's middle game has proved particularly strong....

ARBITER: On the twentieth day of play the score stands at four victories to one with four draws. In today's game, Mr. Sergievskyplays white...

(The players now take a break as the final match is about to be played. FREDDIE goes over to a corner of the arena where WALTER is waiting for him. WALTER doesn't appear very happy at the turn of events...)

WALTER

You take care, you don't let
Their shenanigans blind you
And you're wrong to forget
You've got your country behind you

FREDDIE

You're a fool if you think you can wave a flag
And inspire some dramatic action
If I want bad enough then it's in the bag
If I don't you're a mere distraction

WALTER

You taught me baby
How the few who win acquire
What their hearts desire
It ain't practice, it ain'tskill
They'll help but not as much as wanting will

FREDDIE

No contest, baby!
Pay no mind to reputation
You want concentration?
When they pick him off the floor
It's 'cause I wanted it a little more

WALTER

You can win, you can lose
Take or be a possession
You taught me how to choose
And the key is obsession

FREDDIE

See my eyes, are they safe, are they even sane?
Are they warm when they seem to greet you?
You don't know, you can't tell, but it should be plain
These are eyes that are gonna beat you
Don't ever tell me I don't know the way to play it
Do I have to say it?
Doesn't matter what he tries
I have him, you can see it in the eyes.

BOTH

No contest, baby!
Barely any point in playing
When it's just delaying
What we both already know
He lost it a game and a half ago.

(FREDDIE goes back to the board as the match resumes, but he is clearly distracted. When the match ends the winner has yet to be determined. FREDDIE now stand up at the table looking down at the chessboard as ANATOLY walks away without a word. SILVIUS now walks up to FREDDIE and tries to speak with him, but FREDDIE merely shrugs him off as he sees ANATOLY off to the side, apparently waiting for SILVIUS to leave. FREDDIE becomes angry as SILVIUS begins to walk away, clearly to meet with ANATOLY)

FREDERICK: (to SILVIUS, as he starts to leave)

So you got what you want
What a nasty ambition!
Set me up, pull me down
Then exploit my condition
I should have guessed
That if pressed
You're on nobody's side but your own!

And you're behaving
Like a mere child
It's so clear now -
It's the Hungarian race!
Once they start getting old and getting worried
They let fly, take it out
On the one who supports them -
That's you I'm talking about!

FREDERICK and SILVIUS

Who'd ever think it?
Such a squalid little ending
Watching you descending
Just as far as you can go
I'm learning things I didn't want to know

Who'd ever guess it?
This would be the situation -
One more observation -
How'd we ever get this far
Before you showed me what you really are?

SILVIUS (clearly angry)

You'll be lost without me
To abuse like you're used to

FREDERICK (turns his back on SILVIUS)

Go away!
Just get out!
Be someone else's parasite!

(He turns back round to find however that SILVIUS has already gone. The stage goes dark and only a single spotlight now shines on FREDDIE)

I'm not the kind to be vindictive
Holding some childish grudge
How could I be? I'm in the spotlight
Half of the world my judge

All I demand is those I work for
Those I give all my skills and pain
Those that I entertain
Give me the same compassion in return
But the fools never learn!

(The spotlight fades from FREDDIE and now focuses on a corner of the stage where SILVIUS, MOLOKOV and ANATOLY are standing)

SILVIUS (avoids ANATOLY's embrace and turns away to look at the spot where FREDDIE was standing a moment ago.) It's over, he's lost, we both know that, he won't be able to come back when he's down so many games. I'm going back to New York to settle my affairs, then I'm returning alone to London, for good.

(SILVIUS leaves without even a backwards glances to the other two men, though it's obvious that he is upset at leaving ANATOLY behind)

MOLOKOV: (puts a hand out to stop ANATOLY who's about to walk off after SILVIUS): Let him go, you've almost won, you don't need him now. He has served his purpose.

ANATOLY (shakes MOLOKOV's hand off his arm angrily): Get your hands off me! You don't know anything. This isn't about politics or Chess any longer. I love him, and I will not let him get away!

(ANATOLY leaves the arena to look for SILVIUS. The spotlight shifts off the remaining figure of MOLOKOV and focuses on FREDDIE, who was apparently eavesdropping on the conversation between the three men. He walks back over to the chessboard now and looks down at it in contemplation)

FREDERICK

When I was nine I learned survival
Taught myself not to care
I was my single good companion
Taking my comfort there
Up in my room I planned my conquests
On my own - never asked for a helping hand
No one would understand
I never asked the pair who fought below
Just in case they said no

Pity the child who has ambition
Knows what he wants to do
Knows that he'll never fit the system
Others expect him to
Pity the child who knew his parents
Saw their faults, saw their love die before his eyes
Pity a child that wise
He never asked did I cause your distress?
Just in case they said yes

When I was twelve my father moved out
Left with a whimper - not with a shout
I didn't miss him - he made it perfectly clear
I was a fool and probably queer
Fool that I was I thought this would bring
Those he had left closer together
She made her move the moment he walked away
I was the last the woman told
She never let her bed get cold
Someone moved in - I shut my door
Someone to treat her just the same way as before

I took the road of least resistance
I had my game to play
I had the skill, and more - the hunger
Easy to get away
Pity the child with no such weapons
No defence, no escape from the ties that bind
Always a step behind
I never called to tell her all I'd done
I was only her son!

Pity the child but not forever
Not if he stays that way
He can get all he ever wanted
If he's prepared to pay
Pity instead the careless mother
What she missed
What she lost when she let me go
And I wonder does she know
I wouldn't call - a crazy thing to do
Just in case she said who?

(The spotlight goes out. When the lights come back up you are taken to the ARBITER's chambers where the press has collected. There is a buzz as whispered rumours begin to circulate as they wait for the reason they have been called. Holding up a hand for silence the ARBITER steps forwards. In his hand is an envelope addressed to him from FREDDIE. He opens the envelope and pulls out a piece of paper, reads it for a moment, then looks at the anxious gathering of those involved in the championship)

ARBITER: Frederick Trumper has declared his resignation. Anatoly Sergievsky is the new World Chess Champion!

(The lights go dim for a moment, when they come back up you are now in the garage of the The Palace Hotel. SILVIUS stands alone in contemplation as he hears the whispers of FREDDIE'sresignation from a passing couple. Walter steps onto the stage now and seeing SILVIUS makes his way over to him)

WALTER: Silvius...Silvius? You checked out before I could leave a name at the front desk.

SILVIUS: My flight's in forty minutes. If you're here to talk me out of leaving...

WALTER: Something astonishing has happened.

SILVIUS: If this is about Freddie resigning...I already know -

WALTER: It's not Freddie at all....

(ANATOLY now enters the scene and walks over to SILVIUS)

ANATOLY: Hello, Silvius.

SILVIUS: Anatoly, what do you doing here?

WALTER: He's defecting, Silvius.

ANATOLY: I hate that word, 'defecting'. Let's just say I'm moving to a new address.

SILVIUS (looks at ANATOLY in shock): What? Why now? You've won the championship...you'll be hero to your countrymen.

WALTER (looking down at his watch): If you'll excuse me a moment, I've got to call some people from the Embassy.

(WALTER exits)

ANATOLY: There's very little time, I have no choice. I've applied to the British Embassy for immigrant status.

SILVIUS: Couldn't you have waited even a day after all of this?

ANATOLY: Yes, I could have I suppose, but you could not.

SILVIUS: My reasons for leaving are different than yours.

ANATOLY: Our reasons can't be separated, Silvius. You have made me realize many things about my country and my life. You once said we were from different worlds but we are in the same boat now.

SILVIUS: Anatoly, I can't commit to this.

ANATOLY: How strangely life works itself out. You said we had no future together. I can't imagine a future without you. You are the only future I have left to imagine.

(WALTER now re-enters)

WALTER: Sergievsky, they need to speak to you on the phone.

ANATOLY: Silvius, I must go for a moment. Stay right where you are. Don't leave, please.

(WALTER and ANATOY exit)

SILVIUS (watches them leave and sighs heavily)

If it were love I should give that love
Every second I have
And I do
Did I know where he'd lead me to?
Did I plan
Doing all of this for the love of a man?
Well I let it happen anyhow
And what I'm feeling now
Has no easy explanations
Reason plays no part
Heaven help my heart
I love him too much
What if he saw my whole existence
Turning around a word, a smile, a touch?

One of these days, and it won't be long,
He'll know more about me
Than he should
All my dreams will be understood
No surprise
Nothing more to learn from the look in my eyes
Though I know that time is not my friend
I'll fight it to the end
Hoping to keep this best of moments
When the passions start
Heaven help my heart
The day that I find
Suddenly I've run out of reasons
Suddenly I'm not always on his mind.

(Anatoly enters and stands upstage; SILVIUS looks at him)

Maybe it's best to love a stranger
Well that's what I've done -
Heaven help my heart

(SILVIUS goes to ANATOLY and they look at each other for a moment before SILVIUS nods and falls into ANATOLY's embrace. WALTER re-enters the scene a few moments later)

WALTER: The British came through, but you'll need to go to the Embassy for the paperwork.

SILVIUS (looks at ANATOLY): So you're in?

ANATOLY: So I'm in.

SILVIUS: So here we are.

WALTER: Boy, has your wife got a surprise ahead of her, eh Anatoly?

ANATOLY (ignores WALTER's comment, his eyes only focused on SILVIUS): Temporary visa to the United States of America with you now, then visa to England to live...with you. Sounds wonderful yes?

SILVIUS (nods though is clearly distracted now): Anatoly, do you have any children?

ANATOLY: Yes, two. My wife and I though...

SILVIUS (looks away and bites his lip): Please, don't say anything....

ANATOLY (holds SILVIUS tightly): Silvius, it went wrong between us a long time ago.

SILVIUS: So at least I'm not a homewrecker then too? I mean as well as being a traitor to the man I worked with and was supposed to love for the past seven years.

ANATOLY (trying to lighten the mood): You know, I will expect you to give me inside information on his game.

SILVIUS (turns back to look at ANATOLY in surprise, then smiles when he realises he was only joking): We'll need a hotel room for that.

ANATOLY (chuckles and kiss SILVIUS's forehead): Is that all you ever think about?

SILVIUS: You mean chess? No...

(He kisses ANATOLY passionately on the lips)

There are more things I think about besides chess...

ANATOLY: Well, then. We have our luggage, we have our freedom and I have a Merano hotel guide...

WALTER: Sorry to rain on your parade, gentleman, but if you want to keep your plans moving, we need to get to the British Embassy now.

ANATOLY (scowls at WALTER a moment then nods in consent and let's SILVIUS go): Very well. (looks as SILVIUS) Will you come with us?

SILVIUS: Of course.

WALTER: Well then, shall we?

(The three exit the stage and the lights go dim. When they come back up they are inside the British Embassy where workers are sitting at their desks looking at the three men in boredom and frustration)

CIVIL SERVANTS (to each other)

Oh my dear how boring
He's defecting
Just like all the others
He's expecting
Us to be impressed with what he's done here
But he hasn't stopped to think about the paperwork
His gesture causes
We've an embassy to run here
If these people can't strike blows for freedom
With a valid visa
We don't need 'em

(to WALTER)

If we seem offhand then please remember
This is nothing very special
He's the fourth we've had since last November
Who do these foreign chappies think they are?

(to each other)

And when he's safely in the West
He'll be the hero to discuss
The media will lionise him
Fame and fortune plus
No one will recall
It's thanks to us.

CIVIL SERVANT # 1: You have a wife?

ANATOLY: Yes.

CIVIL SERVANT # 1: You have two children?

ANATOLY: Yes.

CIVIL SERVANT # 2: And they are not coming with you?

ANATOLY: No - not for the moment.

CIVIL SERVANT # 2: You play chess. You are good at it? Ah yes, it says here you are World Champion.

ANATOLY: Since today.

CIVIL SERVANT # 1: That's still good.

WALTER (fed up now with the questions): Gentlemen, you guys are dealing with a major international figure. May I -

CIVIL SERVANT # 2 (looks at WALTER with a rather bored expression): Are you defecting too, sir?

WALTER: Err...no, but this man is a citizen of the Soviet Union - I am an American citizen and by the authority of the US government and this particular agency (he shows the CIVIL SERVANTS a card though he's careful not to let ANATOLY or SILVIUS see it) I demand that you give this man your immediate attention!

CIVIL SERVANTS (clearly unimpressed by WALTER and turn to ANATOLY now)

Have you an appointment
With the consul?
If you don't we know what his
Reponse'll
Be, he will not see you, with respect it
Buggers up his very taxing schedule
Pushing peace and understanding
Let us hope this won't affect it
Far too many jokers cross the border
Not a single document in order
Russia must be empty
Though we're all for
Basic human rights it makes you wonder
What they built the Berlin Wall for
Who do these foreign chappies think they are?
And when you've filled in all the forms
And been passed clear of all disease
Debriefed debugged dedrugged disarmed
And disinfected please
Don't forget the guys
Who cut your keys

(A few more words are exchanged and finally various documents are stamped and handed to ANATOLY. With great delight he rushes over to SILVIUS and they hurry out. WALTER picks up a phone and makes a quick phone call before following the others out.

The lights go dim and when they come back up WALTER, SILVIUS and ANATOLY arrive back at the Palace Hotel. As they arrive they are surrounded by pressmen. MOLOKOV also enters the scene and walks over to WALTER who is now standing by himself in a corner. The two men nod at each other then turn to watch the scene unfold)

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, an extraordinary development here at the World Chess Championship. Not more than a few hours after gaining the title, the Soviet Champion Anatoly Sergievsky appears to have defected to the west for the love of his opponent's second, Mister Silvius Vassy. Let's listen in while the couple meets the press.

REPORTER #1: Excuse me, Mr. Sergievsky. Why are you leaving Russia? What about your wife and family? Why now?

(ANATOLY is angry at the reporter's questions. He tries to brush past everyone with SILVIUS, but the reporters follow)

REPORTER #2: Why with Glasnost?

REPORTER #3: Has your love affair with Mr. Sergievskyanything to do with the collapse of Freddie Trumper'sgame, Mister Vassy?

ANATOLY (turns to SILVIUS angrily): Don't answer that!

SILVIUS (moves off to the side where WALTER and MOLOKOV are standing): Walter, how did the media find out?

WALTER: Because I called them.

ANATOLY (coming over to the corner he looks at WALTER in disgust): Walter, you bastard! You never told me about all of this!

SILVIUS: Why, Walter?

WALTER: You don't think I helped Sergievsky out of the goodness of my heart, do you? We were promised a little time to get Freddie back on his feet, now look what's happened. Freddie's resigned and now I don't have a match to make money.

SILVIUS: What does that have to do with you calling in the press now though?

WALTER: Oh come on, don't tell me you can't see it? Publicity, sweety! I'm going to milk this for all I can, whilst I can.

(ANATOLY is about to reply when he gets overwhelmed by REPORTERS yet again)

REPORTER #3: It's such a hopeful time in East-West relations, why defect now?

ANATOLY (pulls SILVIUS away and looks at WALTER and MOLOKOV angrily): I have no further comments!

REPORTER #4: Is this your way of denouncing Perestroika?

ANATOLY: Look, I denounce nothing. Please, this is not a political gesture. Why can't you just leave me alone?

REPORTERS

How long was this planned?
What made you defect?
Did anyone help you?
And do you expect
To be joined in your exile
By loved ones such as your wife?
Or are you starting again
In all aspects of life?

MOLOKOV (steps forwards now and looks at the press): Ladies and gentlemen, defection is old hat. The Soviet Union has a completely open emigration policy, though I will say that Sergievsky leaves his homeland not as a hero, but as a traitor.

ANATOLY (looks at MOLOKOV in shock, then anger): I am no traitor,I don't leave anything except those in power! Russia herself will always be my home!

No man, no madness
Though their sad power may prevail
Can possess, conquer, my country's heart
They rise to fail
She is eternal
Long before nations lines were drawn
When no flags flew, when no armies stood
My land was born

And you ask me why I love her
Through wars, death and despair
She is the constant, we who don't care
And you wonder will I leave her - but how?
I cross over borders but I'm still there now

How can I leave her?
Where would I start?
Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart
My land's only borders lie around my heart.

(ANATOLY has had enough of the questions and everything else. Taking SILVIUS firmly by the hand he pulls him away from everyone and runs off stage. WALTER and MOLOKOV nod at each other, both apparently have plans in mind, then shake hands and walk off the stage together as well. The stage lights go dim and the curtain comes down as the candles in the theatre now re-light signalling it is the end of the first Act of the play)