Josh Mercado

W0659575
Vocal Interpretation and Performance
Character Analysis
Chess
Anatoly Sergievski

WHO?
Age: mid 30s
Health: Healthy
Family and social background: Estranged wife, social icon of the Union
Geographic birth and upbringing: Soviet Russia, under communism
Mental condition: Clinically cynical and depressed
Education: Basic education applied by the Union, social sciences
Vocation: Professional Chess Player
Avocation: Chess
Military experience: None
Financial Circumstances: Well-carried, money from tournament wins and publication
Essence: Emotionally distraught
How does that affect your thoughts, feeling, words, and actions?
I am very emotionally unstable and mentally disturbed, so my objectives are driven by my own
thinking and whatever Ive unraveled in my thoughts.
WHAT?
What is the event in which you find yourself? My publicist and guardian has tipped off the
press of the scandal that has occurred within my position in the tournament.
What happens in the course of that event? I am questioned vigorously by the press and pushed
into a corner, accused of betrayal during a very delicate time in Russian government.
How does that affect your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions?
I am very confused and afraid because Im doing something very scandalous during the time of
glastnost and have been ambushed in my location of political asylum. This would mean that Im
under very high amounts of stress and I would not have very much time to think clearly.
WHERE?
Nation: Bangkok, Thailand
Indoors or outdoors? Indoors
Crowded or deserted ? Crowded
Urban or rural ? Urban

Public or private ? Very public

Formal or informal ? Informal
Pleasant or unpleasant ? Very unpleasant
Familiar or unfamiliar ? Unfamiliar, like Im a foreigner being attacked by reporters
Safe or dangerous ? Dangerous
Architecture ? Airport
Furnishings ? Waiting bench
How do those elements affect your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions?
Being in a very public area, Im very reluctant to sit still because of my position. Being
ambushed in such a place puts me in a position where whatever I say or do is very sensitive to
the media.
WHEN? 1972
How does that affect your thoughts, words, feelings, and actions?
Russia is under heavy social and political hysteria because of Gorbachev and the application of
glastnost on the government. Security and privacy are becoming very difficult and terrifying
under communist rule.
WHY?
Why are you there? To seek political asylum in Thailand
What do you expect to happen? To be hidden safely until I have to finish my tournament.
What do you want to happen? To find sanctuary and think for myself about the game.
What actually occurs? I am ambushed by a horde of reporters that falsely accuse me
How does that affect your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions?
I am caught off guard by the press and whatever I say or do will affect the course of the
tournament and my status as a social icon in Russian and American media
MOMENT BEFORE AND AFTER
Where were you physically and mentally before the scene? I was flying to Thailand, thinking
about the game and how I must approach it. My mind is also clouded with conflicts based on my
defection and life back in Russia.
Where do you expect to be? In safety.
Where do you want to be? In safe keeping.
Where do you want to be after the scene ends? Anywhere but there.
How does that affect your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions?
Im slowly realizing that what I used to love is becoming a symbol of war and ego between my
motherland and America and it is taking away my healthy love for the game.
WHO?
Who are the other people in the scene? Walter, my publicist and guardian. Florence, my
opponents assistant, former lover and now, my lover.
How do you speak/behave to them? I speak with Walter as a professional. Hes here to help me
and Im here because he promised me asylum. Florence is my lover, but my relationship with my
wife makes speaking to her very awkward at times.
How do they behave toward you? Walter is very smooth-talking and very hard to trust.

Florence is very gentle and I can tell shes trying her best.
How does that affect your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions?
Im very stern with Walter because the situation is so tight and Im nervous about what might
happen next. Florence tries to cheer me up and Im very appreciative of that.