FREDERICK AND ANATOLY

A Buddhist temple. Monks chanting. Anatoly enters.

ANATOLY (reading note)
Meet me in the temple of the Reclining Buddha? Meet who?

(Frederick enters)

Oh it's you!

FREDERICK
This is the one situation
I wanted most to avoid -

ANATOLY
Then what on earth are we doing?
I could be better employed -

FREDERICK
No - please hear me out
I think I can help -

ANATOLY
If it's about Florence
I'm warning you -

FREDERICK
No - it's not about her, your wife or your kids
Or money or Walter, or Molokov

ANATOLY
What the hell is it?

FREDERICK
I want to talk chess!

ANATOLY
Chess?

FREDERICK
Something I've noticed in Viigand
It's his King's Indian defence -
One of the lines he's been trying
Doesn't completely make sense -

ANATOLY
I - I don't understand -

FREDERICK
I told you - his King's -

ANATOLY
No - I don't understand why
You're helping me

FREDERICK
Because I love chess!
Does nobody else?
Jesus - sometimes I think I'm the only one
How can you let mediocrity win?

ANATOLY
I think I believe you. Show me

(Frederick begins to explain with a pocket chess set)

FREDERICK
You know, in all my dealings with Florence I never once made a good move

ANATOLY
Me too, Freddie, if I win, it's bad for her father and I can't lose for the wrong reasons -

FREDERICK
How can you let mediocrity win?

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