CHESS is a work in progress. In addition to the words and music on this album, we have written several other scenes and songs. The lyrics for every scene featured on this album are printed here, and the pllot synopsis is that of Chess in its entirety. Thus there are some events and scenes in the synopsis not fully portrayed on this recording, some because they consist in the main of the spoken word. Benny Anderson Tim Rice Bjorn Ulvaeus September 1984 *************************************************************************** *Act One* 1: MERANO [Is this The Sound of Music? Tirolean hats, leather pants, yodels and dancing. Snow-capped mountain peaks and icy rivers. Grapes and the benefits of the spa.] Citizens of Merano O light the heart That lingers in Merano Merano! The spa no Connoisseur of spas would miss So healthy Highly recommended Is this sweet metropolis Mental and physical bliss! The gods have smiled And bless-ed is Merano Merano! There are no Fitter burghers to be found Such vigor! Take the time to taste us We'll give you a welcome that's typically Tirol For then we are sure of our ground Right now we're Italian - we used to be German The border keeps shifting around Mayor Speaking as one of the patriarchs I don't mind taking your lira or marks Citizens Oh I get high when I saunter by the mountains of Merano Rosy-cheeked Merano Flourishing to a fault The sparkling streams, the bracing air The therapeutic salt I'd have to be carried away to call a halt! Oh I feel great in this bouncing state o hail to thee Merano Hearty hale Merano And objections? Nein! Where breathing in will turn you on Where water takes like wine Get out your get up and go and get in line It's living your life in a show by Rodgers and Hammerstein! O sad the soul Who passes by Merano Merano! so far no Soul has ever passed us by They love us Why not stay forever? Oh so many reasons why All those in favor say "Aye" Aye! So sing a song Let's hear it for Merano Merano! Suprano Alto, tenor, bass agree We're wholesome What a happy haven This is a place where your arteries soften Cholesterol hasn't a chance From mountain to valley the natural goodness Is fighting pollution's advance Mayor So come to us and feel the force All major credit cards taken of course Citizens Oh I get high when I saunter by the mountains of Merano Rosy-cheeked Merano Flourishing to a fault The sparkling streams, the bracing air The therapeutic salt I'd have to be carried away to call a halt! Once in a while all the gods will smile on little old Merano Humble shy Merano Suddenly hits the press And I report with all the pride And joy that I possess Half of the world and his wife has our address Our little town will be rife with games of chess! [whistling] Get up your get up and go and get in line It's living your life in a show... [Suddenly we are aware that an outsider has entered the scene. The stranger is the world chess champion, The American, who sings as he surveys the town and its people with partronizing amusement:] The American 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 the 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 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 alright - I'll be glad to oblige Alright! I'll be glad to oblige Alright! I'll be glad to oblige S.R.O. S.R.O. [He disappears. The Mayor and Citizens resume their song.] Mayor & Citizens Oh I get high when I saunter by the mountains of Merano Rosy-cheeked Merano Flourishing to a fault The sparkling streams, the bracing air The therapeutic salt I'd have to be carried away to call a halt! Oh I feel great in the bouncing state o hail to thee Merano Hearty hale Merano And objections? Nein! Where breathing in will turn you on Where water takes like wine Get out your get up and go and get in line It's living your life in a show by Rodgers and Hammerstein! Now for the sell We put the ice into paradise, we are the salt of the earth Sound as a bell Check out the waters And check out the hygiene At which we excel Check into a hotel And schnell Body and soul Get well! 2: THE RUSSIAN AND MOLOKOV / WHERE I WANT TO BE [Watching the American's press conference on TV:] Molokov The man is utterly mad! You're playing a lunatic. [Turns off TV] The Russian That's the problem. He's a brilliant lunatic and you can't tell which way he'll jump. Like his game he's impossible to analyze. You can't dissect him, predict him, which of course means he's not a lunatic at all... Molokov 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 The Russian Nonesense! Why do my seconds Always want to believe Third-rate propeganda - Molokov My friend, please relax We're all on your side You know how you need us - The Russian 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 Molokov Listen, we don't underestimate anyone We won't get caught in that trap After all, winning or losing reflects on us all - The Russian Oh don't give me that crap I win - no one else does And I take the rap if I lose Molokov It's not quite that simple The whole world's tuned in We're all on display We're not merely sportsmen - The Russian 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 thirty six hours we begin That is if you want to win! [Molokov leaves, annoyed. The Russian is alone. He wanders over to a chess board and moves some pieces.] 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 They they move in Oh so discreetly Slowly at first Smiling too sweetly I opened doors The 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 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 3: THE OPENING CEREMONY [The two teams have arrived in the building where the match is to be played. We are shown two different parts of the complex, the Arena itself, where the game actually takes place, and the Press area, which, once the contest actually starts, will be a noisy chaotic corner (with a bar, telexes, typewriters, etc.) in stark contrast to the silence and strict calm of the playing area. For the opening ceremony, however, all are allowed to talk in the sacred Arena. The arena and press are crowded with journalists, ordinary chess fans, officials, etc. Also present are merchandisers and diplomats, and the Arbiter, who is making the most of being the center of attention.] Arbiter I've a duty as the referee At the start of the match On behalf of all our sponsers 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 and 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 Chorus 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 Chorus From square one he'll be watching all sixty four [The playing area is very impressive and dominated by a fantastic electronic scoreboard which the Arbiter demonstrates with obvious pride. In addition to reproducing the exact current state of play, it pumps out a mine of information including time passed, number of moves, room temperature, etc.] 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 This is not the start of World War Three No political ploys I think both your constitutions are terrific so Now you know - be good boys I'm on the case Can't be fooled Any objection Is overruled Yes I'm the Arbiter and I know best Chorus 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 Chorus From square one he'll be watching all sixty four Arbiter Yes I'm the Arbiter I know the score Chorus From square one he'll be watching all sixty four [Two groups of diplomats take center stage. They are clearly from different ends of the political spectrum but sing as one:] Diplomats (Molokov well to the fore) No one can deny that these are difficult times... It's the US versus USSR Yet we more or less are - No one can deny that these are difficutl times... - to our credit putting all that aside We have swallowed our pride These are very dangerous and difficult times... It really doesn't matter who comes out on top, who gets the chop No one's way of life is threatened by a flop - But we're gonna smash their bastard Make him wanna change his name Take him to the cleaners and devastate him Wipe him out, humiliate him We don't want the whole world saying They can't even win a game We have never reckoned On coming second There's no use in losing It's the US versus USSR Yet we more or less are - No one can deny that these are difficult times... - to our credit putting all that aside We have swallowed our pride These are very difficult and dangerous times... The value of events like this need not be stressed When East and West Can meet as comrades, ease the tension over drinks Through sporting links As long as their man sinks [Next an outrageous group of merchandisers springs into view - vulgar, colorful, like cheerleaders, waving some of their products:] Merchandisers Whether you are pro or anti Or could not care less We are here to tell you We are here to sell you chess Not a chance of you escaping from our wiles We've locked the doors, we're blocked the ailes We've a franchise worth exploiting And we will - yes we will! When it comes to merchandising We could kill When you get up - When you get up in the morning Till you crash at night You will have to live your life With bishop, rook, and knight Clean your teeth with checkered toothpaste Wear out vests Our kings and queens on bouncing breasts You could even buy a set And learn to play We don't mind we'll sell you something Anyway We've done all our market research And our findings show That this game of chess could be around A month or so Maybe it's a bit confusing For a game But Rubik's Cubes were much the same In the end the whole world bought one All were gone By which time we merchandisers Had moved on By which time we had moved on! [The Arbiter moves in to re-establish his contol over the event:] Arbiter I'm on the case, can't be fooled And objection is overruled Don't try to tempt me - you've no hope I don't like women, I don't take dope I'm the Arbiter I know the score Chorus From square one he'll be watching all sixty four Arbiter You got your tricks - good for you But there is no gambit I don't see through I'm the Arbiter and I know best Chorus He's impartial don't push him he's unimpressed Arbiter I'm the Arbiter my word is law Chorus From square one he'll be watching you... Everyone (bar the players and seconds) Don't you find it rather touching to behold A game that came in from the cold Seen for what it is - religion plus finesse Countries, classes, creeds, as one in Love of chess 4: QUARTET (A MODEL OF DECORUM AND TRANQUILITY) [After the American's abrupt departure from the Opening Ceremony:] 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? Molokov Florence We wish, no must, make our disgust I must protest - our delegation has a host of valid points to raise At this abuse perfectly clear Our player's sporting attitude's beyond all praise as any neutral would attest We're here for chess - are the US? But we concede the fact his masters bend the rules is not a player's fault - How can you make such a claim? We'll overlook their crude political assault and under protest will proceed Molokov Arbiter If your man's so sweet Point seventeen Then why his fighting talk? No one-way screen If he's not a cheat Will be allowed Then why on Earth In the hall Did he go take a walk? Florence Why let him loose? I am not surprised He'll soon reduce He wanted fresher air This great event Once he realized To a brawl There was no hope Of your lot playing fair It's very sad How sad To see the ancient and To see distinguished game What used That used to be To be Both A model of decorum and tranquility Become like any other sport A battleground for rival ideologies To slug it out with glee The Russian Molokov Through the elegant yelling We wish, no must, make our disgust Of this compelling dispute At this abuse perfectly clear Comes the ghastly suspicion We're here for chess - are the US? My opposition's a fruit If so why foul the atmosphere? Florence Arbiter I don't suppose Point twenty three You'd understand the strain and The board will be pressure getting where he's got For then you'd simply call him Made in Sweden highly-strung and not Imply that he was one of those Non-aligned wood The Russian Molokov But how can you It seems to us Work for one who There's little point in waiting here all night for his return Treats you like dirt And since a peaceful match is our sole concern Pay must be good We won't make an official fuss Florence I'm not getting rich In short we rise My only interest Above your guy's Is in something which Tantrums, Gives me the chance Dramas, Or working with the best Dirty tricks! The Russian Arbiter I can only say Point thirty one I hope your dreams come true No game begun Till that far off day By noon I hope you cope Goes on With helping number two After six The Russian and Florence Arbiter and Molokov How sad It's very sad To see 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. 5: THE AMERICAN AND FLORENCE (NOBODY'S SIDE) [The American's suite at the hotel:] 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 anymore The American 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 The American Is this the girl who always said she wants to know the truth? Florence There's a time and there's a place [During the next sequence, the choir sings "Eightteen fifty six, Budapest is rising/fighting/falling/dying" as background the the American's lines.] The American I'd have thought you'd support Any attack on these people On the people who ran Mindlessly over your childhood Don't let them fool you for Thirty years on they're the same They see chess as a war Playing with pawns just like Poland If you walk out on me They will have won the first battle Wouldn't your father Have begged you to stay in the game? Florence He would... but he didn't know you He'd loathe your behavior, and so do I - Why'd you have to do this to me? 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 belive 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 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 your out on your own Nobody's on nobody's side The one I should not think of 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! 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 Never take a stranger's advice Never let a friend fool you twice Nobody's on nobody's side Everybody's playing the game But nobody's rules are the same Nobody's on nobody's side Never leave a moment too soon Never waste a hot afternoon 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 Never be the first to believe Never be the last to deceive Nobody's on nobody's side Never make a promise or plan... 6: CHESS [The first game between the American and the Russian.] [instrumental] 7: MOUNTAIN DUET [A private room in a restaurant half-way up a mountain in Merano:] Florence (thinking to herself) This is the one situation I wanted most to avoid Nothing I say will convince him it isn't a trick The Russian (thinking to himself) A drink on a cool moonlit night - I relax, she smiles There's something unpleasant going on... Florence So with immaculate timing, I'm left to carry the can Embarrassed, outnumbered, marooned - The Russian Now she can't be working for them - I mean us - She seems so very straightforward - but where is HE? Florence He has to come back - he wanted this meeting, well didn't he? The Russian What if he's scared? Just as scared as he was in the game... Florence Oh, I just couldn't care less He can go right ahead, go and wreck his career, I know I've done my best The Russian Well at least she's a good-looking spy... Florence What if my Russian friend thinks that my plans Are more of an intimate kind? If I don't say something real soon He'll go - Nobody's on nobody's side! The Russian (speaking up now) Listen I hate to break up the mood Get to the point, begin the beguine Haven't you noticed we're a protagonist short In this idyllic, well-produced scene? Florence (thinking still) All I can say is moments ago... He was right here ready and waiting The Russian Never mind him - I haven't missed him so far Both (thinking) Maybe it won't do any harm To stride along without his charm Funny how all at once I feel That he can go jump off the mountain I won't care Florence (out loud) This is the one situation I wanted most to avoid The Russian My dear opponent, I really can't imagine why Florence So I am not dangerous then? What a shame! The Russian No, you're not dangerous - who could think that of you? Both You - you are so strange - why can't you be what you ought to be? You should be scheming, intriguing, too clever, by half - The Russian I have to hand it to you For you've managed to make me forget Why I ever agreed to this farce Both I don't know why I can't think of anything I would rather do Than be wasting my time On mountains with you [The American enters to break the mood.] 8: FLORENCE QUITS The American So you got what you want What a nasty ambition! Set me up, pull me down Then exploit my position I should have guessed, woman That if pressed, woman You're on nobody's side but your own And you're behaving Like a mere woman It's so clear, woman - It's your sex! 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 The American and Florence Who'd ever think it? Such a squalid little ending Whatching 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? Florence You'll be lost without me To abuse like you're used to! The American Go away! Just get out! Be someone else's parasite! [But she has already gone.] 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 All my time and pain Those that I entertain Give me the same compassion in return But the fools never learn! 9: EMBASSY LAMENT [The Russian is attempting to defect, but the civil servants are unimpressed.] 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 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? And when he's safely in the West He'll be the hero to discuss The media will lionize him Fame and fortune plus No one will recall it's Thanks to us (now to the Russian) Have you an appointment With the consul? If you don't we know what his Response'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 effect 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 the 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 10: ANTHEM The Russian No man, no madness Though their sad power mail 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 alll the 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 *Act Two* 1: BANGKOK / ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK [The dirt, and history, the tempes, the massage parlors, the river and its boats, the houses on its banks with naked children leaping in and out of the water, the Buddahs...] The American Bangkok! Oriental setting And the city don't know what the city is getting The creme de la creme of the chess world in a Show with everything but Yul Brynner Time flies - doesn't seem a minute Since the Tirolean spa had the chess boys in it All change - don't you know that when you Play at this level there's no ordinary venue It's Iceland - or the Philipines - or Hastings - or - or this place! Chorus One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls aren't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister And if you're lucky then the god's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me The American One town's very like another When your head's down over your pieces, brother Chorus It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity To be looking at the board not looking at the city The American Whaddya mean? You've seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town - Chorus Tea, girls - warm and sweet - warm, sweet Some are set up in the Somerset Maugham suite The American Get Thai'd! You're talking to a tourist Whose every move's among the purest I get my kicks above the waitline, sunshine Chorus One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walking next to me The American Siam's gonna be the witness To the ultimate test of cerebral fitness This grips me more than would a Muddly old river or reclining Buddah And thank God I'm only watching the game - controlling it - I don't see you guys rating The kind of mate I'm contemplating I'd let you watch I would invite you But the queens we use would not excite you So you'd better go back to your bars, your temples, your massage parlors - Chorus One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister A little flesh a little history I can feel an angel sliding up to me One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the though guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walking next to me 2: HEAVEN HELP MY HEART Florence If it were love I would give that love every second I had And I do Did I know where he's 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 explanation Reason plays no part Heaven help my heary 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 Don't you know that time is not my friend I'll fight it to the end Hoping to keep that best of moments When the passions start Heaven help my heart The day that I find Suddenly I've run out of secrets Suddenly I'm not always on his mind Maybe it's best to love a stranger That's what I've done - Heaven help my heart Heaven help my heart 3: ARGUMENT [Watching Svetlana's arrival in Bangkok on TV:] Florence I would have thought in the average affair That the first hint of trouble would be Oh so small; barely perceptible, easy to miss Why is ours on TV? The Russian Listen - you know as I do Nothing's altered at all I have no intention - Florence Your personal life's The lead on the news! How do we ignore that? The Russian I do and I must because otherwise I say Goodbye to my hopes of retaining my title If I should succumb to emotional blackmail I'm done - Florence Looking after number one! The Russian What do you mean? Florence I mean it's always I this and I that What happened to US? The Russian All that I'm saying is I must make certain That nothing distracts me from chess When I've won Then I'll attend to the secondary things - Florence Things like me I suppose! The Russian No, no - you're reacting Exactly the way that they want Florence It's the way I have to If I feel concerned I can't put it off And come back to it later The Russian Well if you're determined to jump when they tell you Then maybe it's best that you do it alone Watch TV, read the papers, have the miserable time of your life You could even call my wife! 4: I KNOW HIM SO WELL Florence Nothing is so good it lasts eternally Perfect situations must go wrong But this has never yet prevented me Wanting far too much for far too long Looking back I could have played it differently Won a few more moments who can tell But it took time to understand the man Now at least I know I know him well Wasn't it good? (Svetlana: Oh so good) Wasn't it fine? (Svetlana: Oh so fine) Isn't it madness Both He can't be mine? Florence But in the end he needs a little bit more than me - more security Svetlana He needs his fantasy and freedom Both I know him so well Svetlana No one in your life is with you constantly No one is completely by your side And thought I move my world to be with him Still the gap between us is too wide Looking back I could have played it differently (Florence: Looking back I could have played things some other way) Learned about the man before I fell (Florence: I was just a little careless maybe) But I was ever so much younger then (Florence: Now at least I know him well) Now at least I know I know him well Wasn't it good? (Florence: Oh so good) Wasn't it fine? (Florence: Oh so fine) Isn't it madness Both He won't be mine? Didn't I know How it would go? If I knew from the start Why am I falling apart? Svetlana Wasn't it good? Wasn't he fine? Florence Isn't it madness Both He won't be mine? Florence But in the end he needs a little bit more than me - more security Svetlana He needs his fantasy and freedom Florence I know him so well Svetlana It took time to understand him Both I know him so well 5: THE DEAL (NO DEAL) [The American has made an offer to the Russian:] The American Communist, democrat An intriguing collusion Fair exchange - tit for tat Comradeship in profusion And the appeal, partner Of this deal, partner Is we all stand to win You and me, the lady also Don't break her heart, partner Just be smart, partner Let her think that her past Is as pure as snow in Moscow Thank God we're so civilized And our word can be our bond We can turn this into friendship for life And beyond - The Russian Refugee, total shit Is how I've always seen us Not a help you'll admit To agreement between us There's no deal, partner Who's your real partner? Could there be just a change That you've got some heavy clients? The American (plus voice of Molokov) That's not true, partner How could you, partner Think I'd want to pursue And deal but our alliance? (on his own now) How can you only think Of your selfish ambition And not of her position? Or you'd rather perhaps See her world collapse? For a tinpot competition! The Russian There's no deal! [And now the American has made an offer to Florence:] The American Silly boy, woman who He should not have let walk out There's no hitch that we two Can't untangle or talk out And the appeal, partner Of this deal, partner Is we both stand to win We'll bring back the golden era Stick with me, honey Leave him be, honey In return I know who'll Tell you all they know in Moscow Florence Are you sick? Are you mad? You still don't understand why I loathe you, why I left you? Florence and the Russian Who'd ever think it? Such a squalid little ending Watching him descending Just as far as he can go I'm learning things I didn't want to know Who'd ever guess it? This would be the situation One more complication Should be neither here nor there I wish I had it in me not to care Let him spill out his hate Till he knows he's deserted There's no point wasting time Preaching to the perverted 6: PITY THE CHILD The American 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 the love die before their eyes Pity the 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 crawled 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 defense 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?" 7: ENDGAME [The Arena. The final game in the final match. As the players take up their positions the choir sing the names of previous world champions: Morphy, Anderson, Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe, Botvinnik, Smysov, Tal, Petrosian, Spassky, Fischer, Karpov] Molokov How straightforward the game When one has trust in one's player And how great the relief Working for one who believes in Loyalty, heritage, true to his kind come what may The American Though it gives me no joy Adding to your satisfaction You can safely assume Your late unlamented employee Knows if he wins then the only thing won is the chess Molokov It's the weak who accept Tawdry untruths about freedom Prostituting themselves Chasing a spurious starlight Trinkets in airports sufficient to lead them astray Florence Does the player exist In any human endeavor Who's been known to resist Sirens of fame and possessions? They will destroy you, not rivals, not age, not success The Russian They all think they see a man Who doesn't know Which move to make Which way to go Whose private life Caused his decline Wrecked his grand design Some are vicious, some are fools And others blind To see in me one of their kind Anyone can be A husband, lover Sooner them than me When they discover Their domestic bliss is Shelter for their failing Nothing could be worse Than self-denial Having to rehearse The endless trial Of a partner's rather sad Demands prevailing Svetlana As you watch yourself caring About a minor sporting triumph, sharing Your win with esoterics, Paranoids, hysterics Who don't pay attention to What goes on around them They leave the ones they love the way they found them A normal person must Dismiss you with disgust And weep for those who trusted you The Russian Nothing you have said Is revelation Take my blues as read My consolation - Finding out at last my one true obligation [The crowd cheers] Svetlana and Crowd Listen to them shout They saw you do it In their minds no doubt That you've been through it Suffered for your art but In the end a winner Who could not be stirred? Such dedication We have never heard Such an ovation Skill and guts a model For the young beginner They're completely enchanted But the don't take your qualities for granted It isn't very often That the critics soften Nonetheless you've won their hearts How can we begin to Appreciate your work that you've put into Your calling through the years The blood the sweat the tears, the Late late nights, the early starts There they go again! Your deeds inflame them Drive them wild, but then Who wants to tame them? If they want a part of you Who'd really blame them? [The crowd cheers louder still.] The Russian And so you're letting me know - Svetlana For you're the only one who's never suffered anything at all The Russian How you've hated my success - Svetlana Well I won't crawl - And you can sink back to your pawns and to your tarts The Russian And every poisoned word shows that you never understood Svetlana, Russian, alternating Liar Never Liar Never Liar Never Liar! Never, never! Both Nothing you have said Is revelation Take my blues as read My consolation - Svetlana Finding out that I'm my only obligation The Russian Is there no one in my life Who does not claim The right to steal My work, my name My success, my fame And my freedom? 8: EPILOGUE: YOU AND I / THE STORY OF CHESS The Russian Knowing I want you Knowing I love you I can't explain why I remain Careless about you Florence I've been a fool to allow Dreams to become great expectations The Russian How can I love you so much, yet make no move? Both I pray the days and nights In their endless weary procession Soon overwhelm my sad obsession You and I We've seen it all Chasing our hearts' desire But we go on pretending Stories like ours Have happy endings The Russian You could not give me More than you gave me Why should there be something in me Still discontented? Florence I won't look back anymore And if I do - just for a moment Tommy [It says Tommy in the book, who is the guy who played the Russian...] I'll soon be happy to say I knew her when Both But if you hear today I'm no longer quite so devoted To this affair, I've been misquoted You and I We've seen it all Chasing our hearts' desire But we go on pretending Stories like ours Have happy endings Choir 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 faily 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 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 molify 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 checkered board to show it was his brother's fault They thus invented chess Chess displayed no intertia Soon spread to Persia Then west Next the Arabs refind it Thus redesigned, it Progressed Still further west And when Constantinople fell in fourteen fifty three One would have noticed every other refugee Included in his bags a set Once in the hands And inthe 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 And in the end We see a game that started by mistake in Hindustan And boosted in the main by what is now Iran Become the simplest and most complicated Pleasure yet devised For just the kind of mind Who would appreciate this well-researched and fascinating yarn Florence This is an all too familiar scene The Russian Hopeless reflections on what might have been Both From all sides the incessant and burning question Florence "Bearing in mind your predicament now - The Russian - what you did then - Both - we're just dying to know would you do it all again?" Choir Each day we get through means one less mistake there for the making Both But they know full well It's not hard to tell Through my heart is breaking I'd give the world for that moment with you When we thought we knew That our love would last But the moment passed With no warning, far too fast You and I We've seen it all Chasing our hearts' desire But we go on pretending Stories like ours Have happy endings