Black and White

The Board Room

Thirty-two students awake in a dark room. The lights flash on. Thirty-two fearful high school students scan their surroundings. They’re in a square room: the walls are lovely nature murals, the floor is a large square black-and-white checkerboard, and they’re in costumes, sixteen are black and sixteen white.

Esther starts the confused student’s conversation, “Oh, my lord. Where are we?”

Barney, the school's head nerd, is dressed in Black leather and a crown, “How did I got here?”

Johnny, the high school star quarterback, is dressed in white leather and a King’s crown. “We, nerd. How did ‘we’ all get here?”

Suzie, head cheerleader, adorned in a dazzling black sequined dress and crown, clings to Johnny. “We were all at Dr. Gilbert’s party.”

Jerry, “Right. I remember we all toasted the good doctor’s birthday.”

Jill, “Yes, I can’t recall much after that.”

Billy-Joe, “The punch . . . I bet the punch was spiked.”

Sally, “How did I get dressed in this?”

Mark and Ken are examining the walls, looking for an exit, only to find two bathroom doors.

*

Mayview Police Dept

The FBI Child Abduction Unit arrives at the Mayview City Police Department.

Captain Montain, “I appreciate your rapid response.”

Agent Joseph Kline, “What have you got?”

Captain, “There was a party at a Mayview High School mathematician’s house on Friday night that the missing teens seem to have attended.”

Sergeant Billings, “Sir, they’re being live-streamed.”

Agent Kline makes a call, “Agent Newton, I need your unit to find this channel’s origin. I just linked to you.”

*

Live Chess

A placard on the wall reads:

Welcome to Live Chess.

1. This is a standard twelve-hour game of chess.

2. Your costume denotes your position and side.

3. Your Kings are Johnny and Barney, both well-ranked players.

4. Breaks are ten minutes each hour.

The teens are quiet momentarily as they read, then break into a confusing garble of voices until Ben, a well-known school bully, yells, “Shut up. All of you.” They do. He continues, “Who the hell you think you are? I will knock your teeth out . . .”

 A loud ‘crack’ sounds out. Ben collapses and slides down a wall onto the floor. Blood oozes from his mouth. Screams fill the room. A door opens, and in walks another student, Henry. A masked man drags Ben back inside the door, then closes it.

Henry, “What the hell is going on?”

Overhead, a voice breaks in, “I’m the director and judge. I don’t tolerate dissidence. Now that’s settled, let’s begin, shall we? Take your positions. White on the wall’s time-clock side. The frightened crying teens start moving into position.

Sally crying and shaking, “I don’t know where to go.”

King Barney, “Over there, in the second row with Suzie, Jill, Mary, Gary, Ken, and Mike. You’re all pawns.”

Voice: “Well done. The clock will tick down from twelve hours for each team. It starts and stops with each move. The winning team lives, or shall I say, those left standing will live . . .”

Kimmy, the white king-side Light Squared Bishop (LSB), cries out, “What does he mean?”

Voice, “The game is one of death, not of capturing players,” resulting in another wave of mass hysteria.

White King Johnny, “What the hell?”

Voice, “Let the game begin. King Johnny, make your move.”

A dual digital timer on the wall starts counting down W-11.59.45 B-12.00.00

*

Opening

Johnny, the HS quarterback, confused and shaking, instantly decides, “Pawn to e4.”

Voice: “Johnny, they’re more than pawns; they’re your classmates; they're living people. At least for the moment,” brings another burst of loud conversing, screams, and crying.”

 Mary runs, screaming, “I can’t do this.” A loud ‘crack’ echoes throughout the room. Mary halts, drops to the ground and cringes down into a fetal position.”

Voice, “Mary, that was a warning. Get back, now.” She doesn’t move. “I said, Now, Mary.” Another ‘Crack’ erupts, and the wall splinters beside her head. Mary screams, then runs back to her square.”

Johnny, “G, G, Gary, move to the e4 square.”

Gary, “W, w, where’s that?”

Johnny, “Two squares in front of you. The white one.” Gary steps up to the center of the board.

Barney, “c5. Elizabeth, move up two squares.” She quickly responds. “That’s right, the dark square.”

Voice, “Very good. See how easy it is to play and obey? Johnny, you’re up.”

Johnny, “Knight to f3. Henry, do you play?”

Henry, “Yes. Suzie, Sally, excuse me, please.” And he moves up two and over one square as Knights do.

Barney, “Knight to c6. Sarah, move behind Elizabeth on the white square.”

Johnny, “Billy, you’re our Light Squared Bishop. Step in front of me to e2. Be2”

*

Strategy

Barney, “May I ask a question?”

Voice, “Of course. Your clock is ticking.”

Barney, “If we capture a piece, what happens to the player?”

Voice, “Again. It’s not a capture game. It is a game of life and death.”

Barney, “The person dies?”

Voice, “I think you know the answer, Black King Barney.”

Barney, “What happens if there is a checkmate without any captures?”

Voice, “The winning team walks away. The losing team, well, they don’t.”

Barney, “Can we huddle?”

Voice, “Two heads are better than one.”

Barney, “Everyone who plays chess, raise your hand.” The Black team’s Bishops, Tamar and Samuel, the Knights, Michael and Sara, and one Rook, Mathew, raise their hands along with three pawns, Eve, Miriam, and Luke.

Barney, “OK, let’s huddle and discuss our next move.” No one moves.

Voice, “You can converse during your move.”

The Bishops and Knights slowly and hesitantly walk over to Barney.

Barney, “How you doing?”

Tamar, tears flowing, “Scared shitless, of course.” The others nod in agreement.”

Barney, “I didn’t want to talk about the move. I know the best move with Johnny’s Sicilian defense. I want to discuss strategy. If we capture a person . . .”

Samuel, “They will be shot.”

Sarah, “Who is this psychopath?”

Luke, “His voice is masked, and he knows us.”

Michael, “A teacher?”

Barney, “I think so. But our absence must have the FBI involved. So, if we can draw out the game with no captures . . .”

Tamar, “Kill. This sick f... will murder them.”

Barney, “Right, so let’s make moves to prolong the game.”

Sarah, “Sounds like a good plan.” The others nod in agreement.”

Barney, “OK, good.”

Michael, “Let’s play d6. It's a good counter to the Sicilian, and no chance for a kill.”

Barney, “My thought as well.” The teens shake in agreement.”

Billy-Joe, “Johnny is my boyfriend and aggressive in football and chess. He’s good and will go for the win.”

Sarah, “No he won’t.”

Billy-Joe, “What makes you think that?”

Sarah: "You. You're on our side. You die if he wins.” The players return to their positions.

Barney, “d6.” Miriam, move up one step.” W-23.55.09 / B-23.50.03

Johnny: “Rose, you’re our King’s Knight. Move in front of Jill.”

Barney, “Knight to f6 for you, Michael.”

Michael, “Got it.”

Samuel: “You’re moving so fast.”

Barney, “It’s just the opening. We can slow down during the midgame. That’s expected.”

Bishop Samuel, “OK. That makes sense. He may get mad if look to be stalling.”

Johnny, “Let’s castle. Jill, move beside me, and I’ll move to the inside beside you.”

Barney, “Shall we fianchetto King-side?”

Tamar, “Yes, good call.”

Black King Barney: “OK, Daniel, step up one square to g6. Next, Light Squared Bishop Billy will move behind you to g7, and then we will castle.”

Johnny, “Mary, step up one to back up Gary. d3.”

Blacks Bishop Daniel slides over to g7.

White King Johnny, “We’re still opening, our stance in martial arts terms. Bishop Kimmy, slide in front of Bishop Billy.

Black King Barney and Rook Mathew switch sides to castle.

*

FBI

Captain Montain, “It has been twenty-four hours since thirty-four high school students were abducted. Dr. Gilbert’s neighbors have only revealed that he had a large cargo truck that was heard leaving his residence in the early morning hours after the party, then disappeared.”

Agent Kline, Dr. Gilbert is a millionaire who does not need to work. He withdrew vast amounts of cash over the last few years and spent his weekends away, where to, we are seeking to ascertain along with tracing the video feed. We see the students are all alive except one. “Live Chess” has gone viral. We’re hesitant to shut it down as he may retaliate against the kids.”

Officer Dave, “Yes, he shot one, and Celia is missing.”

Agent Kline, “Perhaps not. Video analysis seems to indicate a scam, a fake death, like in the movies. He has a degree in mathematics and is a psychologist.”

Officer Gentry, “A sick one. He is tormenting them.”

Agent Kline, “Chess has thirty-two pieces, sixteen per side. If you promote a pawn to the other side, you get a piece of your choice. Celia may be in waiting as the extra Queen if one side promotes a pawn.”

Agent, “Obviously. Our best is to track his video feed. He is bouncing off dark web torrent sites worldwide. He is good. Our cybercrime unit is on it. We will keep you updated.”

Captain Montain: “We will continue our local search for sites able to house a fifty-by-fifty-foot room and use infrared heat sensing, although they may be underground. What’s new with the West search progress, Kelly?

 *

Mid Game

Johnny, “OK, now we're in the mid-game, and we're at an advantage to strike in the middle, but I don’t want anyone else to die, so let's just make a non-confrontational move.”

Queen Ester, “Barney and I are dating. He is brilliant, uses his mind, and despises violence. We should just hop around. I can step over one and back up Bishop Kimmy.”

Rose: “That looks aggressive, forcing a Dark Bishop trade, but we don't have to go through with it.”

Johnny, “Perfect. Queen Ester, step over to Qc1”

Barney, “Let’s huddle. OK, my friends. It looks as they want to force a Bishop trade and end up with their Q in front of me.”

Billy-Joe, “Don’t take any chances with Johnny. He will save himself first. He will pick his team and friends over me.”

Barney, “OK, we can avoid a trade.”

Mathew, “How?” 

Barney, “Rook Mathew, step to the side one for Rook to e8.”

King Johnny, “Good move by them. They don’t want a trade or fight.”

The clock reads: W-23-00-00 B-23-00-20

Voice, “Break time.”

A wall opens, revealing a large table with a feast of food and drinks. The bathroom doors pop open. One is labeled “Guys” and the other “Gals”.

*

Break Time

The young women gather. Johnny runs to Billy-Joe, and they hug as do other couples.

Billy-Joe, “Oh Johnny, I’m so scared.”

Johnny, “We all are, Billy-Joe, we all are.”

Barney, “I’m famished.” He and Esther walk to the snack table.

Ester, “I need to pee. Be right back.”

The Black King walks up to the Black King. Johnny greets him with, “What’s up, nerd?”

Barney, “We need to work together and figure this out.”

Johnny, “Sorry, yeah, you're right. What do you have in mind?” He takes the last bite of a hot dog.

Barney, “If we make a capture, the person dies.”

Johnny, “Right. So, we need to move around, keep the game going.”

Barney, “That’s logical, but I’m sure he thought of that.”

Johnny, “All we can do is try.”

Barney, “Perhaps the cops will find us.”

Johnny, “The FBI is hunting for us.”

Barney, “Right, so let us keep the game going till time runs out.”

Johnny, “OK. We need not to let any side run out their clock.”

Ester, “How do we do that?”

Billy-Joe, “Make our moves on ten-minute intervals.”

Johnny, “Perfect.”

Barney, “That’s six moves per hour times twenty-four hours, which comes out to one hundred and twenty moves each.”

Esther, “Lets make them fifteen minutes.”

Barney, “I agree. That way, we maximize the game length.”

Esther, “Watch the clock and pray the FBI finds us.”

Upstairs, Dr. Gilbert smiles, “Breaks over. Back to your positions. King Johnny, you’re move.”

Johnny, “Hey, Barney.”

Barney, “Yeah.”

Johnny, “I’m really sorry, and I know I can speak for my football team, I’m truly sorry for all the nerd harassment we’ve given you and your friends over the years.”

Barney, “Ah heck, water under the bridge, Johnny. Let’s just get through this and let bygones be bygones.” The two smile and walk to their sides of the board, both holding back tears.

*

*

Lose Lose Scenario

The Black and White Kings and their teams continue the game, making move after move without players attacking other players. After the ninetieth move, and with only a few hours left, Dr. Gilbert, whose name was still unknown to the students and video stream audience, finally spoke.

Voice: “Well, you all have been having fun, right? I’m not stupid, you know. I have been building and planning this game for years. Do you all realize that if this game ends in a draw or stalemate, in other words, when the clock runs out and no kills have been made, do you realize both teams lose? Do you understand what happens to the losers?”

Barney, “No one goes home?”

Voice, “Correct.”

Johnny, “What happens if one person is sacrificed?”

Voice, “The team losing the piece loses. If there’s a recapture, piece value decides. Break time. It’s pizza.”

W-01.45.06 B-01.46.09

The exhausted teens had stopped crying many long hours ago. Their mood devolved into hopelessness. Most feel numb. Their conversation was replaced with inward personal reflection: life before this horrid weekend, football game fun and laughs, moments with their friends, their loves, and their families.

Upon this new revelation, a lose-lose scenario where at least half will die, the crying and severe depression returned as their end was near. The physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted teens collapse on the checkered floor and devour sixteen large pizzas.

Billy-Joe, “So much for our stalemate plan. We’re screwed. Now what are we going to do?”

Barney, “Someone needs to be sacrificed for the rest of us?”

Esther, “No, it’s not that simple.”

Henry, “She’s right. One sacrifice means the losing team, all of them don’t make it home.”

Billy-Joe, “Lordy, what are we going to do?”

Johnny, “Flip a coin. The loser takes a hit. It doesn’t matter who dies first, as all sixteen will be sacrificed.”

Barney flips. Johnny guesses wrong.

Henry, “I’ll do it. Rose is in a position to take me.”

*

 FBI

Captain, “We just got a call from Jerry’s Pizza in Littleford. Somebody just picked up an order of sixteen pizzas. Jerry said that was highly unusual. We’re running the license plate run now.”

Agent Kline, “Get the swat team in the chopper.”

Sergeant Newton, “Captain, we have an address.”

*

End Game

W-00-01-00 B 00-01-00

Billy-Joe, “Time to make the call, Barney.”

Barney, “I can’t.”

Billy-Joe, tears in her eyes, “I know. It is either half of us or all of us.”

Barney, “Rose, walk over to Henry’s square.”

Rose, tears flowing, “No, I won’t be able to live with myself.”

Billy-Joe, “None of us will, Rose, none of us.”

Barney, angered, “We’ll all forever be haunted.”

Knight Rose slowly moves up two squares, over one, and steps into Henry’s square. “Oh, Henry, I’m so sorry.”

Henry, “Rose, I volunteered. You’re not to blame.”

Voice: “Barney, you’re up.”

Barney, “What do you mean?”

Voice, “It’s time to slay.”

Barney, “So, go ahead. Live with your cruelty.”

Voice, “Oh, not I your Kingship.”

Barney, “What do you mean?”

Voice, “You as King chose, you as King follow through.”

Barney, “I will not murder.”

Voice, “You may have Rose perform the deed.”

Barney, “I will not.”

Voice: “Do you choose a draw?”

Barney, “Help, everyone. What do I do?”

Voice, “Tic, tic, tic.”

Barney, “Let’s vote. A team vote.”

Voice, “Ah, a King chooses democracy. How noble.”

Barney, “Those in favor of a draw walk to the other team. Those who want me to murder Henry and everyone on their side dies, remain here.”

The room, filled with stunned, angered, and crying teens, suddenly turns into a loud, confusing uproar.

Miriam breaks the hysteria, yelling out, “Quiet, everyone. Please.” The room quiets. Miriam, well known for her environmental protests, continues, “I say all of us. Personally, I could not live with myself knowing I chose to be part of a murder, to murder any of you. I suggest we all join hands and refuse to put up with this madman’s sick game any longer.”

Gary, “No way. We don’t all have to die. Only half.”

Sally takes Gary in her arms and hugs him. He struggles and then collapses, crying.

Quiet mumbling now fills the room. Mathew takes Miriam’s hand into his, followed by Rose, until finally, thirty-two teens sit in the middle of a sizeable Black-and-White game board. Some have been friends since early childhood, some lovers, some enemies for various reasons that seem silly now. Thirty-two colored teens: white, yellow, red, black, and brown sit quietly, looking around at their peers' multi-ethnic faces. They are emotionally spent, feeling their common humanity and finding comfort in each other.

Dr. Gilbert sits upstairs, smiling. Millions worldwide are fixed on their screens, devices streaming “Live Chess”, awaiting the end-game finale.

*

Breaking News

Thirty-four students who recently went missing were found this morning after millions worldwide watched in horror “Live Chess,” a divisive game attempting to pit Mayview High School’s students against each other.

The teens, previously at odds with each other, joined forces to devise various strategies. They refused the cruel psychopath’s rules.

Dr. Gilbert conducted what he termed a “psychological experiment, and a success beyond his pre-game hypothesis of teen behavior.” He remains at large.

 All the students were found alive.

One year later

Thirty-two students awake in a dark room.