Checkmate - A Ten Minute Play

[Lindel he/him]

For the final project in a Drama class I took last year, we were assigned to write and produce a ten minute play for our class. I was pretty happy with the results, and for a while I've been meaning to come back to it, to see what needs to be fixed and what I can improve, and to figure out where exactly where I'm going with it. I just feel like I'm not done with it yet.

 

It's not super intense or dramatic or anything; It's a pretty simple little story, nothing big, but I kinda like it. I've been wanting to put it out for critiques, and I thought, "Sharders are great. Why don't I see what they think?"

 

Constructive criticism, tips, and suggestions are welcome. This is the first thing I've actually written, so your advice would be much appreciated. The script is fairly open-ended to interpretation, so descriptions are pretty minimal. You, as the reader, feel free to fill in the gaps and decide for yourself how everything unfolds onstage. But y'all are avid readers, I don't need to tell you that! Now, without further ado:

 

Checkmate

By Lindel

AUTHOR’S NOTE - As the play progresses, the conflict will always center around the chessboard. The game reflects Quinn’s internal struggle, and will often find itself at the center of things. As a general rule, a switch in the dialogue from QUINN (WHITE) to QUINN (BLACK), or vice versa should usually indicate a  new turn. The move itself can come at any point during the line. When White is talking, White should make his move either before, after, or during his line. Same goes for Black. It’s fine, at certain points, for Quinn to make several moves in rapid succession, occasionally even standing between the two sides as he does this. It may at times be appropriate for Quinn to move away from the chessboard, as he drives home a specific point. All these things should be done in such a way as to keep the pacing moving, to maintain continuity, to prevent the blocking from becoming stale, and to engage the audience and draw them into the story.

At the beginning of the play, the audience can hear audio from The Princess Bride (the TV is imagined to be just somewhere offstage, just over the heads of the audience). A two minute cut should be plenty. An iconic scene would be preferred, with memorable quotes that will resonate well with the audience. I recommend the Battle of Wits between Wesley and Vizzini, but the final decision is up to the director. The audio should continue in the background until Quinn turns off the television, at which point it should cut off suddenly.

A concluding note regarding the final three moves. Upon examination, you will note that Black is in check before it makes its final move. Black’s final move must therefore remove the threat to its king and simultaneously checkmate the opponent’s king. How this is accomplished is entirely up to the Director and Actor, as with the rest of the game up to that point.

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The living room in Quinn’s apartment is sparsely furnished and remarkably tidy, with the exception of a small chess table, the centerpiece of the room, which bears the remnants of last night’s game. Only three pieces remain: the black king and black bishop, and the white king. Quinn lies curled up on the sofa, which faces the audience just behind the chess board. As house lights come on, the audio from the Princess Bride can be heard. The movie has been playing, over and over again, all night long.

Quinn slowly wakes, and rises from the couch. He reaches for his dark flannel bathrobe and wraps it around himself. Quinn steps forward, and kneels, examining the chessboard and meticulously resetting the pieces. He carefully lifts and examines each piece before placing it where it belongs.

Partway through the setup, he notices the TV, and turns toward the audience. Picking a battered old remote up from the floor near the couch, Quinn hits the power button, and the sounds from the movie are cut short.  Turning his attention back to the chessboard, Quinn continues the process of setting up. Satisfied that all is right, Quinn seats himself and makes the first move for White. Dialogue begins on Black’s first turn.

QUINN (BLACK)

I’m going to do it.

(White makes move in silence)

QUINN (BLACK)

I’m entirely serious. Today. I’m going to ask her.

QUINN (WHITE)

Great.

QUINN (BLACK)

No objections?

QUINN (WHITE)

Eh. You may have every intention of doing just what you say, but you know how this will go. By the time you get to work, you’ll be in a panic. You’ll take a thirty minute detour in the bathroom, where you might even lose your breakfast. By the time you’ve made it to your desk, you’ll be in no shape to ask a girl out. You’ll realize this. You’ll arrive home, late and miserable, and proceed to spend the next hour complaining to the wall about the broken air conditioner. Then I’ll say I told you so… I think that sums it up quite nicely, actually. Now there’s no need to actually do any of that!

QUINN (BLACK)

Look, I’ve got it figured out.

QUINN (WHITE)

Right…

QUINN (BLACK)

I’m not even going to think about it, not going to worry about what might happen. I’ll just go in, and I’ll do it, first thing. Then I won’t have time to panic.  

QUINN (WHITE)

Too late, you just thought about it.

QUINN (BLACK)

That’s not helping.

QUINN (WHITE)

Relax. You make this sound like a matter of life or death.

(Black makes move in silence.)

QUINN (WHITE)

You’re just going to make a fool of yourself. Why bother?

QUINN (BLACK)

You’re already assuming she’ll turn me down.

QUINN (WHITE)

Obviously.

QUINN (BLACK)

Okay. Let’s assume you’re right. I ask her, and she turns me down. What will I have lost?

QUINN (WHITE)

You’ll have lost confidence. And sleep. You’ll have become a complete basket case, all over some girl you barely even know. Better to save yourself the trouble.

QUINN (BLACK)

Now you’re the one blowing this whole thing out of proportion.

QUINN (WHITE)

Just trying to stop this train wreck before it happens.

QUINN (BLACK)

I think she’s interested in me.

QUINN (WHITE)

That’s because she doesn’t know you yet.

QUINN (BLACK)

Oh yeah? And what’s not to like?

QUINN (WHITE)

Says the man who falls asleep on the couch each night, despite the fact that there’s a perfectly adequate bedroom in his apartment. The guy who can’t even formulate a sentence within earshot of another human, and who is currently wrapped up in a heated argument with himself! You’re right! What could possibly go wrong?

QUINN (BLACK)

Speak for yourself. Er, myself. Ourself? … All I’m doing is playing chess against myself. And I’m winning.

QUINN (WHITE)

Not exactly helping your case.

QUINN (BLACK)

What if having someone in my life is exactly what I need?

QUINN (WHITE)

Please. When has Dad ever been there for you? Or Tess?

QUINN (BLACK)

(Quietly) Mom was.

QUINN (WHITE)

Well she isn’t now, is she?

(The next two moves are made in silence)

QUINN (BLACK)

I really think she might like me.

QUINN (WHITE)

What makes you say that, anyway?

QUINN (BLACK)

You know. She ... talked to me.

QUINN (WHITE)

Inconceivable! Why in the world would she do a thing like that? It’s not like you work together or anything.  

QUINN (BLACK)

It was probably nothing. But … Remember when we used to talk? Me, Tess, and mom. Really talk.

 

QUINN (WHITE)

(Quietly) And then once Dad came home, he’d take us all for ice cream. We’d drive down the store in Dad’s old truck, and I’d fight with Tess about who got to ride in the back … Yeah.

QUINN (BLACK)

Talking with this girl, it reminded me of those times.

QUINN (WHITE)

She is not a replacement for Mom.

QUINN (BLACK)

I didn’t say that. It’s just ... I dunno.

QUINN (WHITE)

… Assuming she said yes, what would you do at that point? (Rolls eyes) Invite her to dinner?

QUINN (BLACK)

Sure.

QUINN (WHITE)

Then what? Invite her over to your place so you can watch The Princess Bride for the eight thousandth time? Try explaining to her how you can’t even fall asleep without it. That should be fun. While you’re at it, why don’t you go ahead and share every detail of your stupid life with her and just hope she doesn’t realize you’re an idiot and leave?

QUINN (BLACK)

(Black quietly makes this move before continuing.) … Sure. Sure. What then? If worse comes to worse, what will I have lost? My reputation? In case you hadn’t noticed, I don’t really have one. Oh wait, yes I do. But it’s not exactly awesome, is it?

QUINN (WHITE)

It’s not about what other people think of you. They hardly notice you as it is. It’s about letting her get to you. You’ve known this girl for barely a week and she’s already screwing with your mind. Forget about her. It’ll be easier now than months down the road.

QUINN (BLACK)

What can I lose by trying?

QUINN (WHITE)

Trying means facing failure. And failure hurts.

QUINN (BLACK)

Giving up is just another kind of failure.

QUINN (WHITE)

Profound. You should write a book… “Daily Oreos for the Soul: 101 Motivational Quotes to Boost your Confidence and Change your Life!”

QUINN (BLACK)

(Examines the board.) How will I ever succeed, if I don’t sometimes take a risk? Yes, trying means sometimes, I’ll fail. And failure hurts. But if I don’t try, I’ll never succeed. And success, well, that’s worth all the failures. (Takes his move.)

QUINN (WHITE)

Nice speech. (Glances at the board a moment before making his move.) Check.

QUINN (BLACK)

(Takes his final move.) Checkmate.

Edited January 17, 2016 by Lindel

[ChickenPlague he/him]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but is Quinn played by 2 people or 1?

[Lindel he/him]

I originally intended him to be played by one actor, and that's how it was done when performed in class, so that's how I picture it.