MERANO
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 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
Any objections? Nein!
Where breathing in will turn you on
Where water tastes 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 hera it for Merano
Merano! Soprano
Alto, tenor, bass agree
We’re wholesome
What a happy haven
This is the 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
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,BR>
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!
CITIZENS (after a good whistle)
Get out your get up and go and get in line
It’s living your life in a show…
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 they 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 all right–I’ll be glad to oblige
S.R.O., S.R.O.
He disappears. The MAYOR and CITIZENS resume their song.
MAYOR AND 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
Any objections? Nein!
Where breathing in will turn you on where water tastes like wine
Get up 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 water
And check out the hygiene at which we excel
Check into a hotel
And schnell
Body and soul
Get well!
THE RUSSIAN AND MOLOKOV/WHERE I WANT TO BE
MOLOKOV
The man is utterly mad–you’re playing a lunatic–(he switches TV off)
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
Nonsense!
Why do my seconds
Always want to believe
Third-rate propaganda–
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 revitalized 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 the obsessions
Hopes became needs
Lovers possessions
Then they move in
Oh so discreetly.
Slowly at first,
Smiling too sweetly.
I opened doors.
They 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
When I’m concealing
Most of my thoughts
All of my 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.
THE OPENING CEREMONY
ARBITER
I’ve a duty as the referee
At the start of the match
On behalf of all our sponsors
I must welcome you
Which I do–there’s a catch
I don’t care if your a champion
No one messes with me
I am ruthless in 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’ve 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 64
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’ve 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 64
ARBITER
Yes I’m the Arbiter I know the score
CHORUS
From square one he’s watching all 64
MOLOKOV AND DIPLOMATS
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 difficult 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 dangerous and difficult 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
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’ve blocked the aisles
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 our 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!
ARBITER
I’m on the case, can’t be fooled
Any 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 64
ARBITER
You’ve got your tricks
Good for you
But there’s 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 (except players and seconds)
Don’t you find it rather touching to behold
The game that came in from the cold
Seen for what it is–religion, plus finesse
Countries, classes, creeds, as one in
Love of chess
QUARTET (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)
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?
FLORENCE
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 (simultaneously with FLORENCE’s speech above)
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 |
ARBITER
| 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?
|
Point 17 No one-way screen Will be allowed In the hall
|
|
FLORENCE
| 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
|
I am not suprised He wanted fresher air Once he realized There was no hope Of your lot playing fair How sad To see What used 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 Of this compelling dispute Comes the ghastly suspicion My opposition’s a fruit
|
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?
|
FLORENCE
| 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
| THE RUSSIAN
|
MOLOKOV
| But how can you Work for one who Treats you like dirt? Pay must be good FLORENCE I’m not getting rich My only interest Is in something which Gives me the chance Of working with the best
|
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
| THE RUSSIAN
|
ARBITER
| I can only say I hope your dream comes true Till that far-off day I hope you cope With helping number two
|
Point 31 No game begun By noon goes on After six
| THE RUSSIAN AND FLORENCE
|
ARBITER AND MOLOKOV
| How sad To see
|
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
THE AMERICAN AND FLORENCE/NOBODY’S SIDE
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 always said
She wants to know the truth?
FLORENCE
There’s a time and there’s a place…
CHOIR (In background throughout entire sequence)
1956–Budapest is rising
1956–Budapest is fighting
1956–Budapest is falling
1956–Budapest is dying
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 believe
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 playin’ the game
but nobody’s rules are the same
Nobody’s on nobody’s side
Better learn to go it alone
Recognize you’re 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 lovers 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
Never be the first to believe
Never be the last to deceive
Nobody’s on nobody’s side
And 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.
Better learn to go it alone
Recognize you’re out on your own.
Nobody’s on nobody’s side.
MOUNTAIN DUET
FLORENCE
This is the one situation I wanted most to avoid
Nothing I say will convince him this isn’t a trick.
THE RUSSIAN
A drink on a clear 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, marrooned–
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
Maybe 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 and soon
He’ll go–maybe I’m on nobody’s side.
THE RUSSIAN
Listen, I hate to break up the mood
Get to the point, begin the beguine
Haven’t you noticed we’re a protaganist short
In this idyllic, well-produced scene?
FLORENCE
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
Maybe it won’t do any harm
To struggle on without his charm?
Funny how all at once I feel
That he can go jump off the mountain I won’t care
FLORENCE
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
Oh 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
FLORENCE QUITS
THE AMERICAN
So you got what you want
What a nasty ambition!
Set me up, pull me down
Then exploit my condition
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
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?
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 and pain
Those that I entertain
Give me the same compassion in return
But the fools never learn!
EMBASSY LAMENT
CIVIL SERVANTS
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 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
(To THE RUSSIAN)
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
ANTHEM
ANATOLY
No man, no madness
Though their sad powers may prevail
Can posess, conquer, my country’s heart
They rise to fail.
She is eternal.
Long before nation’s 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 ask me will I leave her–But how?
I cross over borders but I’m still there now.
(Musical interlude)
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