Chapter 6

           AlthoughtheU.S.OpenwasbeingheldinLasVegas,theotherpeopleattheMariposaHotelseemedoblivioustoit.Inthemainroomtheplayersatthecrapstables,atrouletteandattheblackjacktablesworebrightlycoloreddouble-knitsandshirts;theywentabouttheirbusinessinsilence.Ontheothersideofthecasinowasthehotelcoffeeshop.ThedaybeforethetournamentBethwalkeddownanaislebetweencrapshooterswherethemainsoundwasthetappingofclaychipsandofdiceonfelt.Inthecoffeeshopsheslidontoastoolatthecounter,turnedaroundtolookatthemostlyemptyboothsandsawahandsomeyoungmansittinghunchedoveracupofcoffee,alone.ItwasTownes,fromLexington.

           Shestoodupandwentovertothebooth.“Hello,”shesaid.

           Helookedupandblinked,notrecognizingheratfirst.Thenhesaid,“Harmon!ForChrist’ssake!”

           “CanIsitdown?”

           “Sure,”hesaid.“Ishouldhaveknownyou.Youwereonthelist.”

           “Thelist?”

           “Thetournamentlist.I’mnotplaying.ChessReviewsentmetowriteitup.”Helookedather.“Icouldwriteyouup.FortheHerald-Leader.”

           “Lexington?”

           “Yougotit.You’vegrownalot,Harmon.IsawthepieceinLife.”Helookedatherclosely.“You’veevengottengood-looking.”

           Shefeltflusteredanddidnotknowwhattosay.EverythingaboutLasVegaswasstrange.Onthetableineachboothwasalampwithaglassbasefilledwithpurpleliquidthatbubbledandswirledbelowitsbrightpinkshade.