Pawn Sacrifice Page #8

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Green Revision 10-14-13 40-42.

DONNA:

I f*** people.

BOBBY:

Yeah? So do I.

(pondering)

...Listen, after I've won this chess

thing I was thinking maybe I'd get

rid of my virginity. It's getting

stupid, you know--?

DONNA:

...You've never had sex?

BOBBY:

Not with someone else, no.

DONNA:

I'll make you an introductory offer.

300 bucks.

BOBBY:

Two hundred. *

DONNA *

Two-fifty. *

BOBBY *

Two twenty-five. And if I win I get *

the next one for free. *

DONNA:

You really represent America?

BOBBY:

Hell, yeah. I represent America.

Yellow Revision 10-11-13 43.

50 OMITTED 50

51 OMITTED 51

52 EXT. BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL - NEXT DAY 52

The Soviet chess team climb into their fleet of Limos.

appears to have two KGB guards allocated just to him.

Boris

53 INT. BOBBY'S MOTEL ROOM 53

As Bobby is getting dressed, he and Lombardy play "blind"

chess. The board, the pieces, it's all in their heads.

Green Revision 10-14-13 43A.

BOBBY:

Bishop to Queen 3.

LOMBARDY:

Bishop to Knight 5.

BOBBY:

Knight to King Knight 5.

LOMBARDY:

King Rook to Queen 1.

Each moves elicits a reaction. Delight or dread.

BOBBY:

Queen to Knight 4. Ha!

LOMBARDY:

You sonofabitch.

BOBBY:

(grinning)

Not me. Morphy vs. Anderssen.

Lombardy's competitive instincts are emerging.

LOMBARDY:

Bishop to Bishop 1.

BOBBY:

King Rook to K1.

LOMBARDY:

Pawn to Queen Rook 4.

BOBBY:

Queen to King 7.

LOMBARDY:

Queen takes Queen.

BOBBY:

Rook takes Queen.

Lombardy studies the board in his head.

LOMBARDY:

.....Sh*t.

Bobby just smiles. Marshall knocks and enters.

MARSHALL:

You ready?

He hands Bobby a three-page stapled mimeo. *

Green Revision 10-14-13 43B.

MARSHALL (CONT'D)

Background on the Soviet and Cuban

teams.

BOBBY:

Are you kidding? The Russians have

a folder this thick on me. They've

been studying me since I was twelve. *

He tears it up, turns to check himself out in the mirror. *

BOBBY (CONT'D)

They're sitting by the pool in their

fancy hotel, having drinks, laughing.

(squares his tie)

We'll see who's laughing tonight.

*

*

*

He starts for the door.

You coming?

BOBBY (CONT'D)

Bobby leaves. Lombardy smiles at Marshall.

LOMBARDY:

I think he's ready.

Green Revision 10-14-13 44.

54 EXT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL 54

The Soviet flag and the Stars and Stripes hang above a hall.

55 INT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL 55

Players, audience and journalists wait for the matches to

begin. The Russians receive last minute briefings. Lombardy

is pouring coffee as Marshall enters, frantic.

MARSHALL:

He's not anywhere! If he's not seated

in four minutes, he forfeits.

LOMBARDY:

He'll be there.

MARSHALL:

A little prayer wouldn't hurt.

*

*

LOMBARDY:

I pray for his opponent.

*

*

Marshall shakes his head and hurries away. *

*

Green Revision 10-14-13 45.

56 INT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT, MEN'S ROOM 56 *

Marshall enters and begins to check the cubicles.

Bobby?

MARSHALL:

You here?

In here.

BOBBY (O.S.)

Marshall finds Bobby fully clothed, sitting on the toilet,

busily writing on a scrap of paper.

MARSHALL:

What the hell? You've go to take

your seat!

Bobby gets to his feet, handing Marshall the note.

BOBBY:

I had to find somewhere quiet.

want you to give this to her...

I:

*

To who?

MARSHALL:

My mom.

BOBBY:

Bobby gives him the letter. For a moment we glimpse the

fragile little boy inside Bobby. He goes to wash his hands.

BOBBY (CONT'D)

She lives in California now.

be here.

She'll

MARSHALL:

Bobby, you've drawn Ivanovich in the

first round.

BOBBY:

Whatever you do, don't let her watch

me. She'll screw up my game. Just

stop her and give her the letter

(dries his hands)

I've told her to follow on the radio.

MARSHALL:

Bobby, Ivanovich is officially the

third best chess player in the world.

Bobby's little boy look is replaced by a roguish grin.

Green Revision 10-14-13 46.

Fourth.

BOBBY:

57 INT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT PLAYING HALL 57

A chessboard. A clock TICKS. An empty chair with Bobby's

name on it. Russian Grandmaster IVANOVICH sits opposite.

An adviser whispers in his ear. Lombardy checks his watch.

REFEREE:

If he is not here in sixty seconds

the game will be forfeited.

Ivanovich folds his arms and waits.

A door at the far end of the room OPENS. Bobby saunters in.

His casual attitude immediately wrong-foots his opponent. A

ripple of APPLAUSE as he raises one hand in acknowledgement.

*

*

An official hands Bobby his "move" card.

BOBBY:

(patting his pockets;

to Lombardy)

Gotta pen?

Lombardy hands him a pen. Bobby sits and waits for the clock

to run down some more, staring directly at Ivanovich. *

Ten seconds left on the clock. Ivanovich begins to wilt a

little. Bobby smiles a devilish smile and whispers...

BOBBY (CONT'D)

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five,

four, three...two...

Bobby SLAPS his first move, then SLAPS his clock just as

hard. His eyes never leave Ivanovich's face.

58 EXT. SANTA MONICA TOURNAMENT HALL, NIGHT 58

The Limos are waiting. *

The auditorium doors open and Ivanovich appears, escorted by

the Soviet team advisor, LIVO NEI, who hurries him into one

of the waiting cars. Ivanovich has his head bowed.

59 INT. LIMO - BACK SEAT (TRAVELING - POOR MAN'S PROCESS) 59

The limo pulls away. Ivanovich sits beside Nei, staring

straight ahead. They speak Russian with ENGLISH subtitles.

Yellow Revision 10-11-13 47.

IVANOVICH:

It was like... having a building

fall on me.

NEI:

When we get to the hotel the team

doctor will give you a thorough

examination.

(looks at him)

You lost because you have the flu.

You probably caught it on the flight.

Yes.

IVANOVICH:

I do have a headache.

60 OMITTED 60

61 EXT. SANTA MONICA MOTEL, OUTDOOR PAY PHONE - NIGHT 61

Rain drenches the parking lot. Bobby is on the pay phone,

wired. Donna appears out of one of the rooms.

DONNA:

Hey, heard you won... Congrats!

(watches him)

What's wrong with the phone in your

room?

BOBBY:

I heard this click, click. Our phone

was always bugged growing up.

(dialing)

Some family, huh? My mom is bugged

by us, I'm bugged by the Russians.

DONNA:

Who you calling?

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