Benny Andersson, Tim Rice, and Bjorn Ulvaeus

MOLOKOV:

The man is utterly mad -- you're playing a lunatic --

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 analyse --

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 revitalised 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!

Who needs a dream?

W