In ANTON CHEKHOV'S THE DUEL, escalating animosity between two men with opposing philosophies of life is played out against the backdrop of a decaying seaside resort along the Black Sea coast. Laevsky is a dissipated romantic given to gambling and flirtation. He has run off to the sea with beautiful, emotionally empty, Nadya, another man's wife. Laevsky has now grown tired of her, but two obstacles block his route to escape: he is broke, and he faces the absolute enmity of Von Koren, a former friend who can no longer tolerate Laevsky's irresponsibility. Soon Von Koren challenges Laevsky to a duel. Utterly discombobulated and honor bound, Laevsky agrees to this absurdity -- a duel it shall be!