We�re meeting him and Anatoly this evening to discuss it.
FREDDIE
What the hell were you thinking of! It�s bad enough having to sit at the same chessboard � I refuse to meet with them!....No! I won�t do it! You better go right back out there and make some other arrangements!
YOU WANT TO LOSE YOUR ONLY FRIEND
FREDDIE
I don't believe this, you of all people, defending the Russians. And expecting me to apologise to them!
I�m out of here!
FLORENCE
I didn�t say you had to apologise, we only have to meet with them!
(Still directed at Freddie, even though she knows he's out of earshot.)
That's right, run away just like you always do!
SOMEONE ELSE'S STORY
[Florence starts looking through her papers as the scene changes to the market streets of Bangkok. Walter has arranged for a troupe of merchandisers to bombard the stallholders with a barrage of Freddie Trumper merchandise. The stallholders are not interested at first, but eventually they are won over and soon they too are singing the praises of chess and the world championship.]
THE MERCHANDISERS
[As the scene changes we see some hotel workers, waiters etc. passing by, the scene then becomes the Riverside Restaurant. Anatoly and Molokov are waiting for Florence.]
FLORENCE
I�m afraid Freddie is not willing to meet with you Mr Molokov, but he says he will talk with Anatoly - alone.
MOLOKOV
This is highly irregular Miss Vassy, I can not agree to Mr Sergivesky being left alone in the company of Mr Trumper.
ANATOLY
What harm can come to me, being without your services for a few moments?
MOLOKOV
That�s not the point � it�s just not possible.
ANATOLY
Of course it is and it�s going to happen � please, leave us alone.
MOLOKOV (after a short pause)
In the interest of chess I shall reluctantly agree to this meeting, but I must insist that the meeting
be held here in the restaurant.
FLORENCE
Of course, this is where Freddie has agreed to meet.
MOLOKOV
Very well, I hope the meeting is successful.
[Molokov leaves. Anatoly smiles and then after a short pause]
ANATOLY
So where is Mr Trumper, Ms Vassy?
FLORENCE
I�m afraid I don�t exactly know. But he said he would be here. He shouldn�t be long.
ANATOLY
Meanwhile, would you like a drink?
FLORENCE
Yes, thank you.
[He pours her a glass of wine. The conversation dries and an awkward silence falls upon them.]
TERRACE DUET