ENDGAME
Towards the end of 'I Know Him So Well', the centre stage screens slide apart to reveal the empty chess arena. Anatoly is sitting at the chessboard - staring at the pieces. As ‘Champions’ begins he remains seated, but eventually gets up and leaves.
The arena remains empty for the rest of the first part of the ‘Champions’ intro. On the first crescendo, the screens at extreme upstage fly out to reveal the delegates, press etc. It is now the final game of the tournament and the TV Company has once again created a slightly theatrical ‘opening’ as the players prepare for their most important game ever.
And so it’s time for the final moves to be made…
Molokov is confident that his position is secure. He has no need to make any further moves.
“How straightforward the game, when one has trust in ones player.”
Florence too feels that she’s done all she can, but she’s far from confidant. She can only wait and watch.
“Though it gives me no joy…”
Walter doesn’t really care what happens, he’s set up his pieces so that he simply can not lose – no matter what.
“It’s the weak that accept tawdry untruths about freedom.”
Svetlana is angry that Anatoly can only think about his own desires and not about her.
“Does the player exist in any human endeavour…”
Freddie still has his move to make, but he’s not sure what it should be. Should he throw the match and lose all that he’s ever dreamed of, or win it and lose the only woman he’s ever really wanted? Either way he loses something.
“They all think they see a man…”
Anatoly is trying his best to win on his terms and by his own strengths, but he is having trouble concentrating. He begins to think that he can not beat Freddie, maybe Florence was right! He desperately wants to win and does all he can to take the lead; he must not give Freddie the chance to throw the match.
“Anyone can be a husband lover…”
Freddie eventually decides that he must sacrifice his title to keep his queen.
“And so today I throw away my work, my fame…”
Anatoly is left with no option but to win by default, there is no other move he can make, Freddie has left him with no choice.
“Is there no one in my life who does not claim…”
The arena is filled with the noise of excited chatting and laughter. Florence approaches Freddie to thank him for what he has done - they embrace lightly. Molokov then approaches the two of them with a huge grin. He shakes hands with Freddie and then Florence. The arena begins to clear and soon only Florence and Anatoly are left.